For those you you who still follow this blog here is the latest for the Maquoketa Marching Band. Just a reminder – all of our up to date material is now shared with students on Studywiz.
Here is the schedule in short and for download just in case this is your place for band infor.
We have two shows this day and will be gone all day. So make sure you have a good breakfast!
In a nut shell:
• 1st show is at Linn Mar HS and we perform at 11:30 AM with a clinic for the band immediately following.
• Next lunch is served by Parent Band Boosters at Thomas Park in Marion.
• 2nd show is at Marion HS and our performance time is 6:50 pm. Something to eat afterward is on your own – concessions at the stadium.
• We will stay to watch other bands and for the Award Ceremony at the end of the show – then head home approximately10 PM. Back in Maquoketa around 11 PM.
Most of the class andstudent information has been moved to a web site called STUDYWIZ.
What I have maintained here is access to our Music Department Calendar (see above) and I will try to give occasional updates to major events so parents will have a brief out line on what is new in the Maquoketa Band World.
If you should have need to contact me please feel free to call or email. All contact info is also listed above.
So – here is “HATS OFF” to what will be another terrific year!
Kent Crawford
Director of Bands
Maquoketa High School
What a great trip!
All went really well. All chaperones agreed that we would travel with these guys anywhere.
On Saturday we went to the beach in Corpus Christi. The weather was just right – not too hot with gentle breezes. We rented a beach canopy that was used as our “home base” where we put our valuables. Some of our crew played volley ball – guys against the gals. (My money was on the ladies, they knew the game!) It should have been perfect. The only issue was that the nice off shore breezes brought in jelly fish which put a damper on some of the swimming that was planned. Some of the gang rented an ocean canoe and battled the waves to get out. It wasn’t as easy as you may think. Fighting against the waves takes alot of work. There was also a World War II aircraft carrier anchored near by that had been turned into a museum. It was a fascinating self guided tour that allowed us to virtually walk throughout most areas of the ship – from the fight deck, to the bridge to the galley, engine room, medical areas, dentist, navigation rooms and on and on. Those of us who boarded the USS LEXINGTON had a great time and most agreed there so enough to see that we could have spent several days aboard.
We headed home a little earlier than planned and got an early start on the River Walk. This was our last night and some of the gang went out for a big dinner. The highlight for some was a crazy restaurant called “Dicks”. A place where the waiters being really rude was part of the entertainment. The group that went there really had a great time! Some went to the roof top house pool that was on the 23rd floor while others enjoyed the TV and cards on the second floor where popcorn and pop were free for all.
Sunday was a half day in San Antonio. We all went to the Alamo for a self-guided tour. It was a captivating look at a history that was the beginning of Texas. There were displays and time lines throughout the historical site that detailed the events of the period. I had not realized that Texas was The Republic of Texas and was an independent sovereign state which existed from March 2, 1836, to February 19, 1846 before it became part of the United States. There was a request at the outset that those visiting do so in silence and reverence. This is a place that holds a great deal of significance for those familiar with Texas history.
After our visit to the Alamo everyone was free once again to explore on their own. Back to the River Walk for most of us and a final snack or lunch before we boarded the bus for home. We all worked together and again loaded the bus in record time and we were on the road just ahead of schedule … homeward bound!
In closing, as a teacher, chaperone and parent I could not have asked for a better group with which to travel. They definitely earned our trust throughout the entire trip. They were great ambassadors of Maquoketa High School and the young people of Iowa.
The staff of Sea World took a moment to send this Sea World Thank You to me and we also received kudos from the entire staff of Rudy’s BBQ. I would also like to thank our chaperone crew of Joel Hagen, Beth Wold, Jackie Crowley, Matt Hovey and Linda Polk for there tremendous help. Their willingness to do whatever necessary to insure the safety and success of the trip was a big key to the positive nature of our tour.
So to all – THANK YOU! And have a tremendous summer.
We are in Colfax and just finished breakfast. Other than some of cases of “Texas Tan”, spirits are high and everyone is laughing and smiling.
After we clear a little construction, that is holding up the works, we’ll be on our way. According to our GPS, our Estimated Time of Arrival is noon.
We said good-bye to our driver Bob Wand at Edmond, OK and made our driver switch. I have been traveling with Tri-State Travel for over 30 years, taking music students all over the country. Bob has been our main driver for all those trips. Traveling with Tri-State and Bob makes our job so much easier. From our chaperones: Beth, Jackie, Joel, Matt and Linda and myself, there is no better travel company around!
Thank you Bob for all you do and we’ll see you next time we hit the road.
KC
PS – our closest guess to arrival time at MHS is between 11AM and noon. Better estimate to come after we have breakfast in West Des Moines.
