Be proud Kickapoo! Monday was performance day and they have represented Springfield and Kickapoo well!
After a full morning of rehearsals at the hotel, we checked out and headed down to the Bob Carr Center for Performing Arts downtown Orlando. At 1:30 the choir performed their set for the 4 judges. After a few days of bonding, the choir performed the best I have ever heard them. They were unified a sang beautifully. You could tell they had become a "family". The mass rehearsal followed and ended the day and the trip with a mass concert with each group performing pieces on their own as well as the mass choir and orchestras performing "The National Anthem", Antonio Vivaldi's "Gloria", and ending with "America the Beautiful". It was an amazing concert and one the kids will never forget. After the concert we boarded the bus for the 19 hour ride home. It was then that they found out the results from their performance. Mr. C announced the scores over the microphone. Out of a score of 100, the judges gave 95, 95, 95, and 96! They were very impressed with the Kickapoo Chamber Choir. We have finally arrived home and everyone should be getting a good night sleep in their own bed before heading back to work and school tomorrow. It was truly an amazing trip. Mr. C is gracious enough to let me travel with them every year, and each year is so amazing. I am so proud of the kids, the school, and of course my husband who spends as much time with these kids as he does his own and thinks of them all as his own. I am a proud "Mama Corn" as they have adopted this year. Be proud of what they do and what they have accomplished. They are all wonderful and I look forward to seeing them grow. Today was another early morning full of rehearsals for the kids. They had a mass rehearsal from 8-10 and then had the opportunity to work with Dr. Copely on their own repertoire. She was such a great clinician for the kids to work with, full of stories and recommendations. She had many compliments and some new ideas for the group to try. The kids also learned what it means to give someone "Chicken Flesh" (what we call goosebumps) and how northerners describe Lightening Bugs to someone who has never heard of them before. It was a morning of laughter and music.
The afternoon was spent at the International Palms Resort in Cocoa Beach. It was a beautiful day with perfect weather. The kids spent the day swimming, playing, and making wonderful memories on the beach. After a beachside BBQ, the day was ended with the choir in a circle with their feet in the water doing what they are here to do...sing. With a stop by Ron Jon's Surf Shop, we head back to the hotel in Orlando for our last night. Another early morning tomorrow for rehearsal then off to sing for the judges. They perform at 1:30 (12:30 Springfield time) so send positive vibes this way. They sound amazing. You should all be proud of them. This is such a wonderful group to travel with! Good night from Florida, Mrs. C It was a beautiful day in sunny Florida. The kids were up early for rehearsal this morning from 8-10. This years guest conductor is Edith Copely from the University of Northern Arizona. She is a great conductor who is internationally known and has conducted multiple All-State choirs over the US. Growing up in Davenport, Iowa and a graduate of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa roots of her and the Cornelius family are close which made Mr C and herself have an instant connection. After rehearsal and lunch at the Florida Mall which is conveniently connected to our hotel, we were off for a fun-filled day at Universal Studios and Island of Adventure. We spent 1-9 in the parks on roller coasters, simulated rides, shopping, eating, and in the sun. Harry Potter attractions seemed to be one of the favorites for many of the kids. We got back to the hotel with a tired group of both kids and chaperones. However, after a day of fun, work still needed to be done. The kids were called into a last minute rehearsal to go through their songs before performing them tomorrow for a clinic with Dr. Copely. After a quick dip in the pool for some, everyone should be settling down into their rooms. Another big day tomorrow with rehearsal and the beach. This has been a great weekend so far and I'm enjoying getting to know all of your kids (my husband's "other family") better. Thank you for sharing them with us.
Have a great night and I'll report more tomorrow night after what I'm sure will be another amazing day with this group. Mrs. C Good evening from the warmth of Florida! When we got on the bus last night it was low 40's. When we got off the bus today it was near 90! What a welcoming change! We arrived in Florida today at 1pm, only 19 hours after departure! The ride was quiet for most of the time with movies and many naps along the way. Unfortunately I don't think anyone got a good night's sleep but we did the best we could. After arriving in Orlando, we made our first stop at Downtown Disney. This was our chance to see a part of Disney, enjoy lunch, and soak up the first of the warm weather that welcomed us. Some chose food trucks along the street, others fresh seafood, and some chose Planet Hollywood where they were randomly seated under a plaque for Brad Pitt with the Kickapoo year book and his picture above. We finally headed off to the hotel. After getting checked in, many of the kids enjoyed free time in the beautiful pool before dinner and in for their first rehearsal of the weekend. It has been a long day and I'm sure most have already fallen into a cozy bed for a good night's sleep. Tomorrow after an early rehearsal, we head to Universal Studios. More pictures and blogs soon. Good night for now. Mrs. C |
AuthorNathan Cornelius Archives
March 2024
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