About 55 Goodrich High School Band Students went on a road trip recently, winning a plaque and $100 along the way for their efforts.
Band Director Aaron Orkisz said the trip began May 25 with a stop at Michigan State University for a bit of higher learning. There, students met with the MSU Associate Director of Bands John Madden. Madden conducted a clinic on the subject of instrument fundamentals.
‘The students rehearsed some music they had performed earlier in the year. (Madden) went through it with the ensemble and gave some tips for how they could perform it better,? said Orkisz. ‘The kids had a great time, they had a chance to experience the music facilities at a major university and they also got instructions from an outstanding music educator.?
Following the clinic, students and chaperones got back on the bus and headed north to Mackinac City, where they would spend the evening shopping and exploring the town.
The next day Orkisz and the students headed to Fort Michili Mackinac to learn about historic Michigan.
‘We were given a demonstration of the culture during the earlier days of the state of Michigan,? said Orkisz.
Students then took part in a Memorial Day parade in Mackinac City, as more than 1,000 people lined the streets to watch approximately 75 parade participants, including 12 performing ensembles, said Orkisz.
The group then boarded the ferry to Mackinac Island to spend some leisure time shopping and sight-seeing.
‘The kids really enjoyed it, they really enjoyed getting some freedom to look at everything on their own. A lot of them hadn’t been there so they had a really good chance to see Mackinaw for the first time,? said Orkisz.