The Cook County High School Band had a fast, but fabulous trip to Cleveland last week. Above: The band performed songs by two Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, Chicago and Deep Purple before they posed for this memorable shot. Right: The band members who are graduating this year captured this memory at the Cleveland Hard Rock Café.
After traveling across the Midwest, the Cook County High School Band arrived in Cleveland for a fun and musical weekend. The band spent Friday morning studying with Dr. Birch Browning of Cleveland State University where they were taught many helpful techniques to improve their sound and musicianship.
After the clinic the weather cooperated for a warm and exciting day at Cedar Point Amusement Park. The band checked into the hotel later that night for some pool time before calling it a night.
Saturday’s weather was cold, grey and windy. “Good thing the band was spending the morning inside,” said Band Director Kerri Bilben.
The band arrived at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (RockHall) for a morning of exploring the history of rock and roll through exhibits, videos, and music. At noon the band kicked off their RockHall debut by playing a song by 2016 RockHall inductee Chicago and followed it with a song by another 2016 inductee Deep Purple.
“The CCHS band performed well in front of the large crowd, some of whom were taking selfies and videos of the band,” laughed Bilben. “After the 30-minute performance, the band was thanked for their performance by fellow Minnesota Twins fans who were in Cleveland for the Twins series with the Cleveland Indians.”
From RockHall, the band walked next door to the Great Lakes Science Museum where they took in exhibits and an Omnimax movie.
Despite no change in the dreary weather, the band traveled to Progressive Field to cheer on the Twins as they battled the Indians. The rain came in waves but the band’s presence helped the Twins hold off the Indians and get the W. After the game the band walked to the Hard Rock Cafe where they ate a wonderful dinner while surrounded by even more rock and roll artifacts.
On Sunday morning the band departed Cleveland at 7 a.m. to head for Wisconsin Dells where they finished off their trip at the Kalahari Resort for swimming, go karts, bowling, and one last dose of team bonding and camaraderie. The band arrived home at 4:00 p.m. on Monday. “Many memories were made during this wonderful trip out East,” said Bilben.
Back home the Band performed for hometown fans on Tuesday, May 17 at the Name that Tune concert along with the middle school choir, 6th grade band and combined 6th, 7th and 8th grade bands. There was a lot of toe tapping and laughter as audience members tried to name the songs played by students.
At the end of the evening, Bilben tearfully called forward her senior band members, who were beginners in 6th grade when she started teaching at CCHS. She thanked them for taking “this musical journey” with her.
With more tears, Bilben presented the John Philip Sousa Award to three students— Sara Carman, Owen Anderson and Madison Roy. Receiving the 2016 North Shore Music Association scholarship was Isabel Wahlers. And earning the Unsung Heroes Award were Lily Gruber Schultz and Shauna Blake.
To her seniors, Bilben said, “Words cannot express the bond music has created between us. May music always be a part of who you are, because you will always be a part of who I am.”
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