Today was our first day on tour! The day started at Wartburg campus. We grabbed our instruments and lunch sacks and packed our belongings on the bus. Before we departed, we sang the Wartburg Loyalty Song and "The Lord Bless You and Keep You." When we got on the bus we did a couple of traditions. Danielle and David sang "It's a Beautiful Day," Rachel led the "Oscar Mayer Weiner" song, and Spencer and Carter organized some Cribbage and 500 tournaments.
It took four hours to drive to Belvidere, Illinois. On the way there we watched The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie and Scooby-Doo and the Legend of the Vampire! This is our view of the Mississippi River when we crossed over from Iowa to Illinois!
We made a stop in Stockton, Illinois to rest and get some snacks. From Stockton we drove another hour to get to Belvidere!
We came to Belvidere High School where we met Wartburg alum Jason Costabile. The Wartburg Wind Ensemble got to play with the Belvidere High School Symphonic Band and their Wind Ensemble! We got to chat with the high schoolers and played a couple pieces with them.
Our first concert venue!
Our next stop was Immanuel Lutheran Church which was also in Belvidere. We had a short rehearsal before we went to eat. The church members very kind and prepared a chicken and rice casserole and chocolate cake for us!
The saxophone section before our rehearsal at Immanuel Church :)
After dinner we got dressed and ready for the performance. We were a couple music stands short but Mr. Costabile was very helpful and brought some extra stands for us!
Ready for the concert!
Overall, the performance went very well! The audience enjoyed watching the percussion play "Zirkus Humberto." We also got to play with Dr. Pfaltzgraff on "Irish Folk Song" and "I Bought Me a Cat." Jen did a great job on her accordion solo in "Lyric Waltz" and Jared had a great solo in "Variations on Barnacle Bill the Sailor." As always we ended with "Nearer My God to Thee" and "The Lord Bless You and Keep You." By the end of the day everyone was really tired and headed to the hotel!
- Audra Schultz, Alto Saxophonist from North Liberty, Iowa