A fabulous experience traveling and playing for crowds in Spain has given Homewood-Flossmoor High School orchestra members wonderful memories.
The 60 students, six teacher chaperones and Viking Orchestra Director B.J. Engrav traveled March 26 through April 3 throughout Spain, visiting the culturally rich cities of Madrid, Barcelona and Zaragoza.
one of the sights seen by
H-F Orchestra and Chorus
students on their just-
completed trip to Spain.
(Provided photo)
“HF Orchestra’s 2015 tour to Spain ended a complete success, carrying on the unique international performing tradition of our music program,” Engrav said in a news release from the Homewood-Flossmoor Fine and Performing Arts Council.
“I could not have been more proud of how the students performed both on stage and off. They truly were H-F ambassadors to the people of Spain. I cannot thank the students, parents, my colleagues and most of all the community for the support that continues H-F’s unique 45-year history of world-wide music tours.”
Two concerts in the Barcelona area were joint efforts with Spanish music schools. The third formal concert was at the Hall of the Hermanitas de los Pobres in Madrid.
In addition, the students gave two impromptu choir performances in basilicas where “the acoustics for voice were amazing,” said Viking Chorus member and orchestra trombone player Rosemary Joyce. “Everything is just prettier in Spain and our voices just sounded amazing in these incredible churches.”
“One surprise I had was how special it was to be in Spain during Holy Week,” said Raina Kalas, who plays the French horn and is also a member of Viking Chorus. “We stayed a night in Zaragoza and our hotel was right on the route of a procession through the streets. It was amazing.
the concerts in Spain.
(Provided photo)
“I have to say though, that I also enjoyed the Picasso Museum in Barcelona. I took Art History at H-F and that helped me so much throughout the whole trip to Spain,” Kalas explained.
Violinist Baily Didier called the Royal Palace in Madrid “majestic and awe inspiring,” and cellist Nathanial Bouchie marveled at the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia in Barcelona by Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi, begun over 100 years ago and is now nearing completion.
Engrav noted the annual tour is evidence of the H-F community’s strong support for the arts.
“While my colleagues in other districts are fighting to even keep a music program, I have a community that raises funds each year to send its music groups on international tours, and pretty much fills our performing arts building with student music seven days a week.
“That is such a strong statement of commitment I almost do not know how to express it other than musically. So that is what I and my students did,” Engrav said.
The H-F Orchestra Tour 2015 was sponsored by the Homewood-Flossmoor Fine and Performing Arts Council (HFFPAC), an independent organization to support local youth music programs, and HF Orchestra Parents United in Service, a volunteer organization dedicated to supporting the H-F High School orchestra program.
Related story:
Community rallies for H-F orchestra Spain trip at annual auction (The Chronicle, Jan. 23, 2015)
