Hi all.
My name is Niko Rombes, and along with my classmate Leo, I’ll be your direct connection to the Pioneer Symphony Band and Jazz Band tour of Beijing and Tianjin, China. If you have any pressing questions, something you would like to hear about, or just want to talk because all of your friends are here in the PRC, I’ll be checking my email as regularly as possible (nrombes@yahoo.com).

For all of you who are not tour participants, or have not read the “purple book”, here is a brief summary of how we’re all actually getting to China. The first group of students and chaperons have already departed on a bus to Chicago. This group will board the aptly-named “party plane” (Leo Bayless-Hall can make anywhere a party) and will be flying Asiana Airlines to Seoul for a layover, and then to Beijing. The rest of us have one more half-night in our own beds before we meet at the Detroit Metro at 5:00 tomorrow morning. Our United plane takes us to Chicago, and then directly to Beijing. If all goes according to plan, we should all be in China by 3:15 PM on Friday, Beijing time (just so you get an idea of the time difference, Beijing is 12 hours “into the future”).

Well, this will be the last post sent from the States. We’ll try to update the blog daily, so check back all week to stay up to date with our escapades. All the best.

-Niko

Posted by Niko Rombes on March 31, 2010

Pioneer Band students received high marks at the 2010 MSBOA STATE Solo and Ensemble Festival Saturday, March 27, 2010 at Chelsea High School. Click here for a list of this year’s honorees.

As a result of their performance at the STATE Solo and Ensemble Festival, the following Pioneer Band students were nominated to participate in the Michigan Youth Arts Festival to be held May 13-15, 2010 at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI.

Posted by Webmaster on March 31, 2010

Hello everyone,
My name is Leo Bayless-Hall. I am the president of Symphony Band and will for the next eleven days, along with my bandmate Niko, be your window into our tour of The People’s Republic of China. This post is mostly a test to see that everything is working as it should but also contains some useful information so don’t stop here (you can make it!). I will have a laptop on me from which I will be writing this blog. What this means to you is that you may feel free to shoot me an email (cleanshavensanta@gmail.com) if you have any questions for me or if there is something in particular that you would love to hear about. I hope that all you out there are as excited as we are for this trip. If I’m feeling up to it, and there is a good chance that it might be too much to process, I’ll try to get in a quick update from on the ground in Seoul. Otherwise expect news from underneath the snuggly bedspread of our Beijing accommodations. I hope your packing is free of stress.

-Leo

Posted by Leo Bayless-Hall on March 30, 2010

Greetings! We’re pleased to introduce to you the official student bloggers for the 2010 Symphony and Jazz Band China Tour: Niko Rombes and Leo Bayless-Hall. They’ll be using this space to offer their impressions of China, and their observations about the trip, as often as the bands’ peripatetic schedule allows.

Be sure to check this page regularly, as well as the 2010 China Tour Main Page, for all the latest updates!!

Posted by Webmaster on March 30, 2010

The Pioneer High School Music Department has been recognized by the GRAMMY Foundation as one of the top three music programs in the country!! Click HERE for a complete list of the 2010 award winners!!

Posted by Webmaster on March 26, 2010

For those of you with students who have to pack a tux: we will be loading all the tuxedos (in their separate LABELED garment bags) into a cargo box for the China Tour. I don’t have the details on when or where, yet.
-Gloria Wilson

Posted by Gloria Wilson on March 21, 2010

All PERCUSSION arrive 6:00PM full uniform, report back stage, finish set up by 6:20PM

Varsity Band arrive 6:20PM, full uniform, instruments to cafeteria, warm up in Band Room

• Leave cases + coats in cafeteria NO VALUABLES
• After performance go to main floor center

Concert Band arrive 6:30PM, full uniform, instruments and music to cafeteria

• Leave cases + coats in cafeteria NO VALUABLES
• After performance exit up two side aisles, cross lobby to door on LEFT of main gym - Sit in balcony on LEFT side as you face the audience

Symphony Band arrive 7:10PM, full uniform, instruments and music to cafeteria

• Leave cases + coats in cafeteria NO VALUABLES

Symphony Band arrive 2:50PM, full uniform, instruments and music to cafeteria (shorter schedule, play earlier in program)

• Leave cases + coats in cafeteria NO VALUABLES
• After performance stand along side aisles, watch Huron perform

Posted by Webmaster on March 17, 2010

Hi Tour Families:

Here are answers for some of the questions at Tuesday evening’s meeting, for those of you who might have missed them.

Click HERE to access an online, printer-friendly version of the China Tour Purple Book. The usual tour password is in effect.

Water Update: Two bottles of water a day will be provided on tour, and drinks - coke, sprite, tea, cold & hot water (and milk, juice, soy milk with breakfast) - will be available with meals. You may need to purchase some water while away from the buses, so plan on $1 or $2 a day.

Cash and Credit Cards: Do not bring traveler’s checks. Credit cards can be used for purchases in big stores. Everyone will need some Chinese currency for other purchases. Cash can be exchanged at the airport or at the hotel. Keep your receipt for exchanging back any Chinese currency at the end of the trip. The Asiana group will have more time for exchanging currency at the beginning of the trip. The United Airlines group may wish to exchange for some Chinese currency before we leave. Lisa McKarns has offered to get some ahead of time: LMcKarns@comcast.net.

Food: Lunch on April 2nd in China for the Asiana group will be on their own, as the first meal is the Peking Duck Welcome Dinner. (The United group will be in the air during lunch.) The rest of the lunches are included.

Click here for luggage information and packing list suggestions.

Posted by Gloria Wilson on March 11, 2010

encomium: n., glowing and warmly enthusiastic praise

District XII Band Festival

Members of the Pioneer High School Concert and Symphony Bands (David A. Leach, Director) received straight First Division ratings at the District Band and Orchestra Festivals held at Pioneer High School on Saturday, March 6, 2010. There were twelve District XII ensembles competing in this state qualifying event.

U of Michigan Jazz Festival

The Pioneer High School Jazz Band participated in the University of Michigan Jazz Festival on Saturday, February 13, 2010. Nominated for “outstanding soloist” honors on their respective instruments were Max Hully (trombone) and Spencer Johnson (baritone saxophone).

Michigan Music Conference

The following Pioneer Band students were selected to perform as members of the MSBOA All-State Band at the 5th Annual Michigan Music Conference (January 21-23, 2010) in Grand Rapids: Skye Huerta (flute), Karen Matsuo (flute), Julia Pakela (clarinet), Gina Son (clarinet) and Michael Sullivant (bass clarinet).

Congratulations to these outstanding, young musicians!

Posted by Webmaster on March 8, 2010

Looking for a stylish way to show your support for the Pioneer Bands? Why not choose something from our collection of Band Spirit Apparel? We have band-themed merchandise to suit every size, taste and price range - perfect for band camp, trips, etc.

http://aapioneerbands.org/?page_id=348

Or, be a part of the 2010 Symphony and Jazz Band China Tour! Get something special for your sons or daughters to take with them on the trip, or just wear what the kids are wearing. A China Tour Apparel order form is available at the following URL:

http://aapioneerbands.org/wp-content/2010_china_apparel.pdf

Posted by Webmaster on March 2, 2010