JPS New York Music Immersion Trip 2010 Part 2

18/11/2010 Highlight of the Trip!

The highlight of this New York Immersion Trip is the music exchange program with John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School. This trip would not materialise without the invitation from the Principal Dr Bernard Kaplan, the arrangement by the Assistant Principal Dr Danial Krauz and all at GNNH. Briefly, this is our wonderful host:

A 2000 GRAMMY Signature School   ♫   A 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 GRAMMY Signature School Semi-Finalist  ♫  Carnegie Hall Performances: 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009  ♫   Avery Fisher Hall Performance: 2002   ♫  Tri-M Chapter of the Year: 2^nd Runner Up: 2008   ♫   Tri-M Chapter of the Year: 1^st Runner Up: 2010   ♫   Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society winners: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2010   ♫   Broadcast on WQXR FM Bob Sherman's Young Artists Showcase on September 17, 2008   ♫   Disney Magic Music Days National Competition, Select Singers: 1996, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007    ♫   Chamber Music in Your High School Workshop-presented by our Tri-M Chapter at the NYSSMA All State Conference in 2004,   ♫   the MENC Eastern Division Conference in 1999, 2005 and 2007   ♫   the NMEA Balanced Mind Conference in 2001, 2003. 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2009   ♫   NYSCAME Workshop Series in 2007

  



Maestro Joseph Rutkowski

Not forgetting a very important person - Maestro Joseph Rutkowski!  
He is the key person, and a wonderful friend to me.

Mr Joseph Rutkowski
Music Chair, Great Neck North Middle School
Instrumental Director, Great Neck North High School

Joseph is from a family of musicians and is a two-time US Presidential Teacher Recognition Award recipient. He is an encouraging teacher and is well-loved by his students. Joseph is also the Advisor to Tri-M Chapter 2605. Most of all, he is a multi-talented musician that conducts, plays the clarinet fabulously in addition to the piano and the accordian!  

  

For those of you who are on a regular diet of American teenage TVs and Movies...Yes! this is the America High School Hallway! And next to it is what you can see out of the classroom window....

And before we start our lessons, we were sent to the Princiapl's Office .... haha .... NOT for mischief.

Today is a fruitful day for both GNNH and JPS. My students have kept their spirit high despite having jetlag and having practised into the late hours last night. Mr Rutkowski's students are warm and encouraging, removing any inhibitions of our young players so that they are able to participate in the exchange with poise and confidence.

This is what my Concert Mistress, Rebecca Beh, said, "To me, I feel very honoured to be playing with the students at GNNH, and also very proud of our ensemble being able to maintain our standard even though we had just landed barely 18 hours before arriving at GNNH! Actually, we were still having jet-lag!" She adds happily, "We had interaction time after various classes and during each interaction time, the first question the GNNH students asked was how we managed to memorise the music. I was pleasantly surprised that our friends were amazed that we could memorise so many pieces. I feel happy because this is something that was expected of us to be able to do, and we did not know this could be something special to our friends."     

It's amazing how two schools are brought together, students learning from each other and inspiring one another. My students are amazed at the musicianship of GNNH students. I am equally impressed with Mr Rutkowski's way of teaching, especially his "drop the needle" method. They would love to keep my students :) and I would love to play music with them one day! 

  

Both JPS students and GNNH students join forces to perform a demanding piece; In one of the combined performance, a GNNH drummer joins in with an excellent display of improvisation (there's no percussion part in the score)! See us in action:

 

Some of the GNNH students are also studying at Juilliard College. One talented Bassist was from Singapore.

 

Before I show you anymore photos, I must describe the school lunch - it's simply delicious. I loved it, the kids would love it more! I am sorry I could not put up any photos of our lunch, I must have been so hungry that I have not taken any photos! 

Food and Nutrition Supervisor, Ms. Daley-Jiminez has prepared a wholesome menu that includes:  Milk, Juice, Salad, Vege, Fresh or Canned Fruit Entree, School Bran Sandwiches, Fresh Cheese Piza Slice, Hamburger, IE Boar's head Hero, the hot special of the day, Snack, Chips, Ice-cream, Cookies, etc.

We have a wonderful day and it's gift-exchange time. The Tri-M Officers presented me with a memento and JPS HOD/EL Mrs Tricilia Chua presented the school with a painting done by JPS student.

Time to bid farewell to our friends from Great Neck North High. Before we left, we took group photos at the garden and the main entrance. Thank you GNNH! We hope to see you all again!