Some 45 Centreville High orchestra students and chaperones boarded buses April 22, at 5:30 a.m., for Dulles International Airport. Their destination: The Gateway Honolulu Music Festival Competition in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The students performed twice during their visit — at the competition held at Brigham Young University where they won first place in their division with a superior rating, and again in front of the USS Missouri at Pearl Harbor where they received a certificate and a flag flown on the battleship Missouri.
The trip started as a dream of orchestra director Cheryl Cooley and came to fruition through the tireless efforts of the parent Booster Board.
"I want to thank all the parents, especially Ted Maziejka, who did all the planning," said Cooley. "And I thank Principal Pam Latt for making this possible and Assistant Principal Sharon Tompkins for going with us and making it much more fun."
The orchestra has traveled to many competitions, going as far north as Toronto, Canada, and as far south as Orlando, Fla., but had never ventured quite this far, nor flown with instruments before. The many details of arranging the trip proved challenging, particularly figuring out how to pack the large cellos safely for flight.
After nine months of planning, the big day finally arrived! Armed with luggage, carry-ons, IDs, and instruments, students boarded the plane, excited to reach their destination. Once in Hawaii, they were greeted by representatives of the festival company and presented with traditional Hawaiian leis.
The trip was packed with all types of activities, including exploring the Polynesian Cultural Center, snorkeling in Hanauma Bay, hiking up Diamond Head, visiting the Dole Pineapple Plantation and, of course, hanging out at the beach and shopping.
"It was fantastic," said Cooley. "The kids were exceptionally wonderful, which made it an outstanding trip. They had a great time and were just exemplary."
Students also visited Pearl Harbor and experienced its history. While at the USS Arizona Memorial, Daniel Jin, orchestra concertmaster, laid flowers from the orchestra at the base of the marble wall where the names of those killed on the Arizona are engraved. Many students were very moved, and some said this was the highlight of their trip.
* Centreville's orchestra will give its final performance of this school year Thursday, May 27, at 7:30 p.m. in the school's Maiden Theatre. Performing will be senior soloists Tom Lunsford, cello; William Jin, violin and Gavin McCorry, cello.
The Chamber Orchestra will perform a piece for solo violin, solo tympani and string orchestra featuring Anna Juan on violin and Jessica Broussard on tympani. The Concert Orchestra will perform Beatles tunes, and the Symphony Orchestra will perform Oscar-winning songs from the movies, "Lord of the Rings" and "Pirates of the Caribbean." Tickets are $5/person or $10/family and may be purchased at the door.