Robinson Middle School Orchestra.
We are the Robinson Middle School Orchestra from Wichita, Kansas. We have been selected, out of very few orchestras, to go to Chicago for the Midwest Clinic. As of late, we have gone to Branson, MO and won 1st place in the Class AA in the middle school division. The director of our wonderful orchestra is Ms. Laura Carpenter. Our full orchestra consists of Robinson's 7th and 8th graders. Over the years we have been in many competitions and done well. We also did an Orchestra Festival at Stucky Middle School and got all I's. Every person who goes through our Orchestra Program simply falls in love with the music and has tons of fun. We would like to thank everyone for how our years have gone, our beautiful orchestra director, Laura Carpenter, for helping us learn the techniques of orhcestra, and finally, our principal, Mr. Buddy Dooley for helping us stay in order and being such a great supporter.
Branson, Missouri.
This year we went to Branson to compete in a competion. We first checked in to the Grand Plaza Hotel and got everything unpacked and got in our concert clothes. We then, got back onto the buses to go to one of the most famous tourist attractions in town, The Dixie Stampede. It was North against South, children cheering to every person on their side of the war, while being fed with wonderful, delicious food that you had to eat just like the Union and Confederates did during the war. NO SILVERWARE. We had some go laughs, but sadly we had to leave early in order to make it on time in Springfield, Missouri. Once we arrived, we got time to practice both songs and fixed a few imperfections. Finally, we were called to stage and left. We played our two pieces we have been practicing for months, Riding the Dragon's Back by Jeffrey Bishop and The Gift by William Hofeldt. After we played for them, the parents in the auditorium said we blew them away, but all we could think about is if we messed up. We went back to the hotel and had our freetime. Then, we headed to our rooms, had a goodnights sleep, and got ready for the time of our lives....SILVER DOLLAR CITY. Now, Silver Dollar City is a amusement park that brings back the past of Missouri with themed rides, haunted houses, and gift shops. Our groups had so much fun at this wonderful attraction. When it was time to head to the Grand Hall for the scores of last night's competition, we all came an hour early to make sure we got good seats. We figured out we won 1st place in the Class AA Divison. After the ceremony we left to the buses to only find one! The second bus broke down so we had to squeeze three kids into a seat of two. We safely made it to the Shoji Theatre and got into our seats. We saw the show and were amazed by the music and all the dancers, singers, and effects. We left to our hotels to pack for a long drive home. We woke up the next morning and left to the buses while saying our goodbyes to the wonderful hotel and its staff. We got on the bus and went to the largest Titanic Museum in the country. We went inside as real passengers and were taken away with how many articfacts and information they had about the Titanic. We finally left to eat at Grand Country Buffet and ate. We left to our wonderful families back in Wichita and told them all of our wonderful stories.
Branson Orchestra Festival
Springfield, Missouri Festival.
Wichita Orchestra Festival
The pieces we played for the Festival shown above were "Riding The Dragon's Back" by Jeffrey S. Bishop and "The Gift" by William Holdeft. We were awarded only 1's, even on the piece we played for sight-reading. We couldn't have done it without Ms. Carpenter. :D
Fundraising.
Recently, we have been fundraising in order to be able to pay for our trip to the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois. We have estimated that each student has to raise up to $1,000 to be able to go. We have been fundraising with the greatest fundraising company, Joe Corbi's. They have been wonderful with helping us fundraise for all of our trips, including Branson. "Mr. Blinky" helps all the students have fun while selling, and afterwards he holds a little party for them all with many praising prizes.
