The PHS band and choir members sit on the steps of the Capitol Building before the tour. Photo contributed by Mr. Ames
By Casey McDonald and Gina Rodeghero
The Pride of Plymouth marching band and choir(D.C. Connection) traveled to Washington D.C. to perform in the Memorial Day Parade. Plymouth High School represented the State of Indiana, being the only band in the state to perform in this parade. Even though the marching band and choir had an unforgettable day at the parade even though the heat affected some, they still managed to have a great trip that they all will remember.
All students on the trip found at least one favorite thing that they liked. Sophomore drumline member Daniel Johnson said that his favorite thing in Washington D.C. was going to the Smithsonian Museums. Sophomore trombone member Jackson Garrison also said that his favorite thing to do was the bus ride and staying in the hotel were the best, “because I got to relax and talk to people.” Sophomore Crimson member Becca Houser says, “I loved doing the illumination tour. It was so cool to see all the monuments lit up.” Some had memories of places, but others had memories of interesting people they met on the trip. Junior Choir member Mandy McPherron says, “Bo the sun glass man.” Senior Crimson member Jessie Gibbs explains, “The illumination tour of all the monuments.” Sophomore drumline member Jack Harley said that his favorite thing was being above deck on the cruise.
After the long trip, some students are glad to be home. But they all think, ‘Were they glad they went on the trip?’ Garrison said that “Yes, I loved traveling and I’ve never been to a lot of stuff in D.C. Not to mention the parade which was a great experience to do.” “I was glad I went because I got to see the monuments and the Smithsonian,” Johnson said. “I was very glad I went on the trip. It was a great experience to see our nations Capitol,” says Houser. “Yes it was a lot of fun and was a good experience to have with my friends,” explains McPherron. Harley on the other hand said that he did not like the trip because it was overbooked and stressful. “Yes, because we are not just a choir or band family anymore we are a music department family,” says Gibbs.
On May 29, Sunday night, the group was taken to a cruise ship where they met up with another school from Florida to have dinner, dance, and enjoy the nice view from the ship. It was a very enjoyable night filled with laughs, fun, and excitement. “It as nice to just relax,” said Harley. “I very much so [liked the dinner cruise]. The food was great, as well as the weather. It was nice to see everyone dressed up,” Garrison said. “It was fun with the other school we were with, and Ben Piazza made the night when he danced to Yeah by Usher,” says McPherron. Johnson said that he enjoyed it because the view on top was spectacular. Hampton also said “I loved the dinner cruise because it gave me an opportunity to interact with other people. Also, I love dancing.” “It was fun. The music was good and the food was good,” says Houser. “Yes, the food was amazing and the view up top was a breath taking view,” explains Gibbs.
Even on fun and exciting trips, people can still learn something, even if it is just a little thing. “I learned about so much history having to do with things such as Arlington cemetery and the monuments,” says Houser. Hampton said, “I learned about historical sites and about the many lives that served and dies honorably for this country.” While Johnson said he learned about the different things that have influence the county. Harley said, “there is a lot of culture in America than what I thought.” Garrison added saying that the one thing he learned was, “Parade requires water!” “A lot about American history and Bo the sun-glass man got all the colors,” says McPherron. “I learned to never volunteer to march in a parade when the temperature is that high, ever again. Just kidding, I learned that Bo the sun-glass man’s got all the colors! See Freshman Jace Allen for impersonation,” says Gibbs.
Everyone usually has at least one place they enjoyed going to. Garrison said that his favorite place to go was, “The Korean War memorial, is is by far the coolest memorial.” “The Korean War monument. it was just a great thing,” agreed Harley. Hampton said, “I really enjoyed the American History Smithsonian because I got to see Dorothy’s ruby slippers, Archie Bunker’s, and the Star Spangled Banner.” Along with Johnson who said, “The Smithsonian’s were my favorite places to go.” “I think my favorite place was the World War II Memorial. It was so beautiful there and it had meaning to me,” says Houser. “Mount Vernon because our group got to compete the little kid adventure map and be the only one with special prizes,” explains McPherron. “The Smithsonian museum because I am a history geek and I love all that old stuff,” states Gibbs.
For some students, this was their first time ever being away from home. For some, it was just another trip to get away from home. “Yes the farthest was California but this was the first trip I have been away from my parents,” says Gibbs. “The place I went before was Minnesota on a canoe trip,”Johnson said. Garrison has been to many places saying, “yes [I’ve been to many places], D.C. Alaska, South Dakota, Canada, New Hampshire, Colorado.” Hampton also has been to many places, “yes, [I have traveled] many times. I’ve been to Florida, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri.” “Yes I have. I have gone to Florida and California,” says Houser. “Yes I go to camp every summer at Indiana State University and then we travel all over a lot,” says McPherron.
On Monday, May 30, Memorial Day, the PHS band and choir performed in two locations for two very special events. The Choir performed at the Navy Memorial during the wreathing ceremony, while the band marched on Constitution Avenue on television for this year’s D.C. Memorial Day Parade. McPherron said, “It went well we all had things we could have done better but it was good.” Hampton stated, [the parade was] exhausting! I don’t remember ever being that tied and dehydrated before. It was a little scary when a couple people passed out.” Houser said, ‘I thought it went well. Beside it being so hot outside. It was good. I am glad I got to experience it though.” Garrison also said that it was good to have the experience. “It was on the the hardest things I have ever done!” Johnson said. Along with Gibbs who states that the parade was better than she expected.
Memorial day was a very special day for both the band and choir. The choir was an honored performance because they performed following the Navy’s wreath laying ceremony. Following the choir’s performance, was the parade and a select few choir members participated/helped out with the parade. “We performed at the Navy Memorial. It was so beautiful. It was such an open area, following the performance. I helped out with the parade. I carried a flag along with five other choir members,” says Houser. “We performed five songs on the steps of the navy memorial, and following the performance I helped out with the parade by carrying water,” explains McPherron. All of the band performed on Constitution Avenue, marching sixteen blocks down the street (one block in D.C. is equivalent to two or three here in Plymouth). With Hampton adding who said, “we ended on the street across from the White House.” “The Navy memorial it’s a memorial to honor all past, present and future Navy service men and women and we sang on the steps, and yes I helped out with the parade by carrying the really big white flags,” says Gibbs.
Preparation is a key essential to becoming the best. Both band and choir did a lot of preparation before leaving for the D.C., like after school practices, two hour marching practices, and more. But a lot of preparation came from the three hours of waiting before the parade. When they had to not only get physically, but mentally ready as well. Garrison said, “We were sitting in the park for three hours just eating lunch, drinking water, and warming up our instruments.” Along with Hampton who also said, “It didn’t turn our the way I thought. Before the parade we waited for about 2 hours. All we did was talk, eat lunch, and I threw an orange peel back and forth with Kelsey Hartman.” “Well we just waited for 2-3 hours in the hot sun,” Harley said. Houser said, “I prepared for the choir performance by having rehearsals every week for about a month. We also practiced in class to get ready for it.” Gibbs added saying, “Rehearsed like crazy inside and out of class.” Garrison said, “We were sitting in the park for three hours just eating lunch, drinking water, and warming up our instruments.” McPherron ends saying that, “We rehearsed a lot at home so when we got there we just got up there and started.”
All of the students had a great time in Washington D.C. The students said is was a very exciting trip, and they will remember it for years to come. From bus rides, to cemetery tours, from a dinner cruise, to a memorial walk, the trip will be remember to all. Even though there were hardships, like marching band members and helpers having to be taken to the medical buses because of heat, it didn’t stop any of the members as they pulled through in the end.