“A Hong Kong Odyssey” Review

“A Hong Kong Odyssey” Review

                I do not believe the “Hong Kong Odyssey” was worth the time and money needed. Yes, the students who were involved had an exceptional experience, but a similar experience might have been had a little closer to home. Surely the director could have found a trip that presented a manageable hurdle for students and the boosters while still maintaining the excitement of a “big trip.” Area “tours” that are common for university ensembles might provide a good blueprint for the band. This type of trip is much lower in cost and has the added benefit of promoting the program in the area. A packaged trip to theme park like the Disney tours would have been exciting while still providing a musical experience. My own high school went to a concert band festival in Estes Park, CO every other year. The cost per student was manageable, the judge’s scores were a point for achievement striving, and the beautiful setting was motivating. Trips certainly can be a positive for ensembles and have the added benefit of recruiting for future years.

            The other negative point about the “Hong Kong Odyssey” was the lack of all-school involvement. The herculean effort put forth by the community only impacted a small number of student on a single occasion. Perhaps efforts would have been better used to establish other musical offerings for the non-band students. Fundraising might be done to provide a trip to hear a world class orchestra or see an opera. The Minnesota Opera offers trips to see productions for students at a very low price. I took a group of general music students to see “Madam Butterfly” and it was a thoroughly engaging experience and one not predicated on the elective choice of the students. Perhaps funds might have been used to bring a performer to the school. Since the original idea was for band students, the project might be to bring in a guest to work with the band and then present an all-school concert in collaboration with the guest. This might have the added benefit of recruiting students for the band program provided the performance is of excellent quality. I had a colleague bring in a Japanese Taiko ensemble to work with percussionists. In addition to the percussion concert open to the public that weekend, the group gave an informance about Taiko for the entire middle school. The grant money used was beneficial not only to percussionists but to all middle school students as well!

            Considering the size of the town and the small fraction of students impacted, the other options I noted above would all be better ways to impact students. Perhaps the director might choose the “Taiko” route and include band students in a rehearsal and performance way while including all students in a listening and responding manner. The director might also consider applying for a grant from an area arts council rather than relying on money raised by students and the booster organization.