Another Day Gone :(

Our last night in the hotel :( We had an extremely packed day today! We started our day really early today with a 7AM departure from the hotel. We went to Destrehan High School were we got to see their Drum Corp and Color Guard, both of which are amazing and have placed gold in states this past year. Then, the combined Kenmore East and Tonawanda bands got to work with Mrs. Toale and the Destreham band, which also received a sweepstake to compete at states this year. We played for each other and then worked on combined numbers, including a read-through of a new piece for both bands, Sam Hazo's In Flight. Then, the Kenmore East String Ensemble played for the students and exposed them to a new form of high school music in the form of a string program, which they do not have at their school. Then we ended our visit by playing two numbers with our giant, combined jazz bands. We went from Destreham to lunch and from lunch to the Wetlands Watching Park where we got to experience hands-on the meaning of the wetlands to the Louisiana coastal areas, including New Orleans. We planted trees, petted gators and snakes, and fished in the bayou, all the while learning important scientific and cultural facts through hands-on learning and interaction with our 8th grade, very-well versed, guides from Hurst Middle School, who run the park under the direction of their teacher, Mr. Barry Guillot. After spending time there, we went to dinner at the Cajun Live Music Restaurant where we danced and ate and enjoyed the life of New Orleans. Three members of Kenmore East's band, Nate Weller, Brendon Grabowski, and James Benders even got to take the band stage for a set of numbers that you'll be able to see in the pictures. We then returned to the hotel to enjoy some relaxation time to spend in the pool or hanging out in the rooms with friends before we turned in the night. We'll be up bright and early tomorrow though! Keep looking for picture updates as I post them as I get them from our photographers, the students!