Chicago Midwest Clinic - Shadow Ridge Band

 

Joshua's middle school Shadow Ridge Honor Winds band was selected as one of three middle schools in the country to attend the prestigious Midwest Clinic in Chicago.  They started rehearsals in the summer and spent many hours preparing.  They prepared 9 pieces that were technically very difficult and even  played one song that was composed especially for them.  The world premier of that song was in Chicago, the composer was in the audience.

 

This was a BIG DEAL!

 

The band program at LISD is excellent. In fact, Marcus High School in  Flower Mound was also chosen to attend. There have never been two schools from the same school district to attend the clinic in the 66 year history.  The level that Joshua's band played at was unbelievable...I think they were better than my high school band.

 

The band boarded two charter buses and also had an equipment truck that headed to Chicago on December 17.  They drove all night and arrived in Chicago the next afternoon.  The kids did all sorts of cool stuff while they were there: Sears Tower Sky Deck, Ginos Pizza, shopping on Michigan avenue, Art Museum, Field Museum of Natural history and the aquarium. They performed at the clinic, participated in a clinic session, saw the Blue Man Group and even went to the Chicago Symphony! 

 

It really was a trip of a lifetime. I think Joshua slept for 24 hours when he got home.

 

Steve and I flew in for a couple of days to see the performance and had a mini vacation in Chicago.

Boarding the buses at school

Joshua's group was on bus loading duty.

Scarves made for the kids

Chicago was beautiful all lit up for Christmas.

Coolest Walgreens ever!

 

The big Concert. Sound check.

 

Post concert congratulations. They were Awesome!

 

The trombone section were featured at the exhibition hall...Eastman found out they were all using Eastman trombones.

Conductor batons

Colorful trombones

We walked around the exhibits and saw all sorts of cool instruments and band gear.

Michigan Avenue shopping

Finishing off with drinks at the W. Steve and his martinis!!

 

It snowed after we left and it wasn't all that cold while we were there.  It was a really fun, quick trip.  We were so glad we were there to see the kids perform.  Most of the song composers were in the audience along with band people from all over the country (and world).  Shadow Ridge Middle School is definitely on the map now!