Olivia Cipperman ’19: A trip to Disney world was for years a much anticipated element of participating in EA’s music program. According to Ryan Dankanich, jazz band teacher and coordinator, the annual trip was inconvenient for students due to the timing of Easter break and pre-planned family and sports trips. “Unfortunately we just didn’t have enough sign-ups to make it performance worthy,” he said. Some were worried that the elimination of this trip meant that all trips were a thing of the past. But the year ahead will actually include a number of opportunities for EA’s musicians to travel.
Once again, EA’s jazz ensemble will attend the Berkeley Jazz Festival to display their skills in a friendly, yet fierce, competition. Taking place in Boston, the festival will allow many high school and college groups to compete. According to Dankanich, the competition is judged based on “how good everything sounds, the choice of music; how good the band is, essentially.” He also describes some of the learning and sightseeing aspects of the trip, mentioning, “We go to a jazz club and see a performance of a national touring jazz act.” He also shares the tradition of ending the trip with a pajama brunch, a social luncheon to be attended exclusively in pajamas. According to Dankanich, the trip entails “a lot of performing,” which helps to improve student skill and confidence. The EA jazz musicians also get to spend quality time, “watching other groups perform and… getting that experience.” Kathryn Wilson ‘16 states, “It was really fun to learn from people who have dedicated their entire lives to this.”
EA’s vocal group will also have several opportunities to showcase their talents off campus. According to Music Department Chair Jim Erwin, Episcopal is part of a “Mid-Atlantic Episcopalian schools organization, and there’s a mass choir that’s going to do an evensong at the National Cathedral on February 28th.” This performance will take place in Washington, DC and include the entire choir, allowing them to sing and interact with vocalists from other schools. There is also a J-Term trip planned for any students interested in singing. The trip, which will let participants spend several days in New Orleans, will include singing for charitable causes. “We’re singing at charter schools, elementary, and middle schools,” Erwin explains. The group will also perform at a local children’s hospital. Erwin says, “I’m trying to get permission to have them go in and perform for kids that aren’t very mobile in the hospital.” Outside of performances, the vocalists will be helping local students with subjects such as reading and also teaching them about the history of choral music.
The orchestra also has their fair share of community outreach and interesting experiences, as this year, they were able to go to see a Philadelphia Orchestra rehearsal, giving a few students the chance to see professional musicians in action. Emma Humann ‘19 emphasized, “It was really fascinating to see such talented musicians working together to make beautiful music.” Additionally, the chamber ensemble has been able to take time out each month to visit neighboring schools in Philly to perform.
The travel opportunities for music students this year are exciting and accessible. Vocal and instrumental musicians alike will be able to take advantage of travel opportunities to places such as Boston and New Orleans. These trips are expected by students and teachers alike to prove enriching and fun.