Day 1 in

O’Hare Airport –

At the airport and it’s been a little chaotic so far, but I am really excited to get on the plane and be one my way to Australia! There are so many people going on the trip and so far it’s been a really great environment, and everyone is really great! –Katie 

I really enjoyed the pat down. On a more serious note I’m surprised that everything has gone well, this is a definite sign that things will go wrong.  – Ben

Things have been going smoothly, regardless of the fact that New Trier students increased the length of all of the lines exponentially. –Marc

No problems so far.  A long wait for our planes but it’s a good time to relax when things seem to be moving so fast =David

We’re waiting at the airport. I’m blogging now. (True story.) -Arthur

It’s been a good time so far waiting on the bus and in the airport. I can’t wait to wait some more! – Bob

I love getting radiation from the security check J -Joyce

I just spent $2.85 on a water bottle….I regret nothing. – Richard 

Just started playing betray your buddy (card game) awesome!-Andrew

Has it really been only roughly 3 hours..? –Matt

Gate Gourmet….yummmm        -S.Ting

Screw our friends (card game)…bet wisely –P. Choi

On the Plane

So we watch movies… then fall asleep. I’m waking up believing that I slept through most of the plane ride. I look at the flight map. We have 12 hours and 22min. left Ugh…. Wait. The T.V. on the seat isn’t working? -Solena R.

Sleep, eat, watch T.V. That’s about it. – Vivian  J

It’s 2:10am and I’m starving… -Paris

On our ride from the airport to the high school –

You’d think that after spending 17 hours on a plane, the jet lag would be terrible but being on this bus, in the sunlight, taking in the sights of the city really wakes you up! That and the discomfort that comes from driving on the left side of the road! – James Paik

After sitting still for 18 hours…only option you got, MOVIE MARATHON, -P. Choi  

             

James you are a fool. –Sir Graham

I wanna see a platypus! –Elliot

Elliot I would appreciate it it you would not steal the computer away from me. Anyway, that plane ride was very… long. Very much so. Max and I were looking for land out of the window as soon as the sun came up but we were 40,000 feet up in the air and we could only see sky above and below us. Finally, I see a speck of land when we start to descend and we shout, ‘Land ho!!’ and the plane starts clapping and crying. –Graham

It’s bright and drizzling on and off. The sight-seeing is interesting with the different kinds of trees and the city’s architecture. I’ve never flown so much before.. Qantas was definitely the most enjoyable, but very long. –Matt

I was greeted by Kathy, my host, and new Fb friend with a smile and a big huh hello  - Patti

First time at the high school! . . . .

Love the open atmosphere!

Giant spider.

Brand new basses!

We’re waiting right now in anticipation and with feelings of excitement for our host family! Struggling to stay awake at 11:00, we’re super excited for a day around Sydney! –Sophie and Stella

Mr Temple’s kids are big bunches of fun! We’re having a great time with them while we wait for the Hardys to arrive. Plus, they get along with the Rosheger children really well! – Paula and Diana

Waiting in the auditorium to be picked up by our host family. Australia rocks! Can’t wait to meet our host family and have a fun day with them. –Jesse and Ethan

Such nice weather! Some rain, but overall beautiful. There are purple flowers everywhere, I love it! –Kelly and Cailin

Total travel time from crossing Woodland Avenue, Winnetka, IL, USA to pulling up at Pittwater Highschool, Australia: 30 hours, 30 minutes, 19 seconds.

Monday, March 26

Matt Temple, Director of Bands

It is often said that music is the universal language.  Today our students had the opportunity to experience that altruism with an Australian conductor.  The Symphonic Wind Ensemble worked with none other than Russell Hammond, who is highly regarded as the father of the Australian band movement. Just as we have been delighted to hear the Australian accent, our students were equally fascinated with Mr. Hammond’s approach to music-making. Although he is an older gentleman, Russell obviously stays young at heart through the power of music. The New Trier students performed two traditional Australian pieces for Russell, including the first movement, Droylsden Wakes, of David Stanhope’s “Folksong Set No. 3,” and Percy Grainger’s “Shepherd’s Hey.”

Mr. Hammond’s experience as a conductor was immediately obvious and inspired our students to play exceptionally well for him.  He went measure by measure, methodically shaping the music into a distinctly Australian sound.  Droylsden Wakes is a gorgeous, slow movement, which Russell transformed into a highly expressive character. He insisted on very specific musical effects, and our students adapted well to his requests. Mr. Hammond is good friends with the composer, David Stanhope (pronounced Stan-up), so he brought a very informed approach to the piece. In fact, Russell premiered the work in 1993 with David advising the preparation of the first performance.

“Shepherd’s Hey” is an up-tempo tune based on the traditional dancing of the English Morris Men, during which they would attach jingling bells to their ankles. I was bemused by the realization that our American students were performing English music arranged by an Australian composer – what a confluence of related, but unique cultures! Or as Grainger would have said, the music had been “dished up” for band.

While it is difficult to describe in words, I’ll attempt to identify what struck me as Russell’s authentically Australian interpretation. In the US, we often strive to increase our dynamic range by expanding the softer side of playing. Russell pushed that envelope in both directions simultaneously, asking the students to play very softly at times and incredibly stridently in louder sections.  The color of sound became very brash in dramatic moments; our students enjoyed the heightened energy! We also teach our students to play with a very blended, homogenous sound.  Instead, Russell asked the students to project in a very individualistic way that made the characteristic sound of each instrument pop out of the texture at key moments.  Lastly, Russell’s approach to articulation brought out the vernacular inflection of the music. Staccato notes were further shortened; accented notes were played harder; and Russell instructed the students to “blow the roof off” of the rehearsal room for sforzando effects.

Our interpretation of both pieces was forever changed in the short time that we spent with Mr. Hammond.  We look forward to sharing our newly informed interpretation of both pieces with you on the Homecoming concert at New Trier on Thursday, April 12. In the meantime, we will be sharing our distinctly American sound with Australian audiences. The rest of our program includes representative American composers and will provide a great cultural exchange of music.

If you would like to hear mp3 recordings of our clinic with Russell Hammond, please follow these links: