It’s 3:21 p.m. on Saturday March 2, and the orchestra is setting out to the high seas for a dinner cruise, dressed to impress, of course. Earlier today we competed in the finals of The National School Orchestra Championships. Although we did not place in the top four, we received a nice participation trophy. I won the award for Best Low String Solo for my solo in the piece “Oblivion” by Astor Piazolla! Right now I am standing in line for the buffet on the ship, and it looks delicious. I have yet to have a bad meal here in New York and I doubt I will before we leave. After dinner we are moving upstairs to dance on the dance floor. Hopefully no one will take a picture of me in the middle of an embarrassing dance move. After dinner we’re going to see Mary Poppins on Broadway. This is my second Broadway show and I’m really excited! This is our last night in the city so I’m hoping to make it legend. . . wait for it. . . dary!
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It’s 12:19 p.m. on March 1st and the orchestra is having a fantastic time so far. This morning we had a nice buffet at the hotel, then drove to Radio City Hall for a guided tour, lead by Allen, and a quick chat with a real Rockette! Right now my group, is enjoying lunch at a Belgian restaurant, and it’s delicious! We walked eight blocks in the cold to get here, and along the way we witnessed the craziness of New York traffic first hand. Jaywalking is a common practice, and you can tell who is a real New Yorker by how unconcerned they are with almost being run over by angry cab drivers and businessmen trying to make left turns. After lunch we’re heading to Central Park, where I’m hoping to befriend as many pigeons as possible before we head for the Empire State Building at 4:30. Dinner tonight is at The Hard Rock Cafe. After dinner is the event we’ve all been waiting for. . . shopping in Times Square!! Everyone seems excited to blow all their money at all their favorite stores, including myself. We’re tucking in early tonight so we can get a good nights rest before the competition tomorrow morning! I’m already nervous!
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It’s 10:43 a.m. on Feb. 28 and we’re finally in New York City. After being on a bus on and off for the last day it feels wonderful to get off the bus and walk around in the generous winter sun if only for a bit. Our tour guide, Linda, is great. She knows some great places to stop and take photos, and has lots of information to say about everywhere we drive. The people here are so unique and stylish, they make us look like real bumpkins. After the tour we are going to the hotel to check in and freshen up. Next up is shopping in Chinatown, where I’m hoping to master the art of bartering, or at least get a couple good deals. Dinner tonight is at Little Italy, and then we head off to the Lincoln Center for a performance of the Broadway hit “Carousel” featuring the New York Philharmonic. It’s a busy first day, but it is definitely worth it.
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It’s 5:05 am on Feb. 28, and we are only in Pennsylvania after sitting in traffic for two hours waiting for a wreck to be cleared. The kids in the back are laughing hysterically, attempting to recreate musical numbers from Pitch Perfect, and going slightly insane from lack of sleep and possibly considering canibalism due to severe hunger pains. The adults in the front are probably frowning at us, wishing they could put us to sleep for the rest of the trip. After that exhausting two hours of waiting for a plethora of fire trucks to put out a flaming semi, I’m ready to sleep for the rest of the ride up, but I doubt that will happen now that everyone is riled up about how close we are. And if you’re still wondering, we haven’t resorted to eating each other. . . Yet.
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Editor’s Note: For the extent of the orchestra’s trip to New York for their competition at Alice Tully Hall in the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the Bagpiper will be having a guest live blogging straight from New York. Senior Jared Murray will be updating daily with photos and events of the Floyd Central students in New York.
It’s 4:40 p.m. on Feb. 27, and the Floyd Central Orchestra is finally on the road for New York City. We have packed the bus full of people, luggage, and of course, instruments. Everyone seems to be excited despite the 12+ hour drive. So far my mom has only embarrassed me once, but some weren’t as lucky. Its only been 10 minutes and people are already on their iDevices, complaining about the bus wifi, and talking about the plans for tomorrow. I’m definitely ready to get to The Big Apple and take in the city. Only 12+ more hours!
Make sure to keep checking the Bagpiper Online for more updates on our travels!
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