NRHEG band visits New Orleans, Memphis
By Harbor Cromwell,
NRHEG Sophomore
About 30 NRHEG students from grades 9 to 12 spent March 24-29 on a week-long trip to New Orleans. The trip was organized by Colin Zidlicky and Krista Reeder, the school's band and choir directors, as a way to introduce students to the rich culture, music, and history of the city. Students were accompanied by three teachers along with three supervising adults. All concerned feel that the trip was a great success.
The trip started with a long bus ride of roughly 22 hours to the great city; this long ride included hourly rest stops and a few hours at the Bass Pro Pyramid in Memphis, TN.
Once in New Orleans, the students began their cultural journey by visiting the Elvis Presley Museum, a “must-see” for anyone interested in the history of Elvis. The exhibits include artifacts, photographs, and memories that bring the story of Elvis Presley to life. The students were especially impressed by the exhibits which showed how the rooms of his house were furnished and decorated; the many cars that Elvis obtained in his life were also of great interest.
The concept of a different culture became clear to many students as they moved around in the city of New Orleans. They were amazed by the architecture, which included beautiful balconies, colorful homes, and iron fences. The tour guide explained the history of the area, and the students began to recognize what it meant that the city experienced French and Spanish influences. They also got to learn a lot about the founder of the city and his many ideas and core values.
In the afternoon, the students were able to check into their nice hotel and see the rooms where they would be staying; those who were not showering were testing out the TVs they would have access to for the next few days.. Some took a tour of the hotel and learned about the great residents in the area.
In the evening, the students enjoyed a jazz performance at a local club.
New Orleans is known for its vibrant music scene, and the students were thrilled to experience it firsthand; some appreciated that the performers were able to demonstrate the level to which musical skill can take a musician.
On another day of the trip, the students visited the New Orleans Museum of Art. The museum has an impressive collection, including works by internationally famous artists such as Picasso and Degas. The students were impressed by the variety of art on display and the history behind each piece.
The next day, the students visited the Mardi Gras Museum, which houses a collection of Mardi Gras costumes, floats, and memorabilia. The students were fascinated by the history of Mardi Gras and the elaborate costumes worn by the revelers. In the afternoon, the students visited the famous Café du Monde. They sampled the offerings and learned about the history of the café. They also got to see the “other end” of Mississippi River up close.
On the last day, the students visited the Whitney Plantation. This historic location is now a museum dedicated to telling the story of slavery in Louisiana.
The students were moved by the exhibits, which included slave cabins, a church, and memorials to the enslaved people who lived and worked on the plantation.
The students also got to learn about the daily life of a slave on a sugar plantation, including visiting buildings like the ones they lived in. They heard stories about the struggles and triumphs of the enslaved people who lived and worked there. The tour was a powerful and emotional experience for everyone involved.
The trip to New Orleans was a great success. The students learned about the city's rich history, culture, and music and they had a lot of fun in the process. The teachers and parents were pleased with how engaged the students were throughout the trip and how much they learned. The trip was a great way to bring the history lessons taught in the classroom and the stories of famous musicians to life.
When asked about their favorite part of the trip, many students mentioned the Elvis Presley Museum, the house, and the plans that they had for the show. They also enjoyed trying the local shops and exploring the city with their friends.
Overall, the New Orleans school trip was a memorable and educational experience for everyone involved. The students learned about the history and music culture which will help them come to a new level of understanding of music and a new level of music for themselves.