Members of the Tecumseh Marching Arrows shared the gift of music with visitors at Chicago’s historic Field Museum on November 14. 2015. The performance was part of a three day educational tour the Marching Arrows enjoyed in the Windy City from November 13-15.
Tecumseh Band Boosters Vice President, Cindy Collins, chaperoned the special field trip. She said, “opportunities like the Chicago trip are so important because they give our kids a chance to experience a much wider view of the world, which is really special for a rural community like ours.”
In addition to the Field Museum concert, the Marching Arrows visited the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Museum of Science and Technology. Students also took in the sights at the famous Navy Pier, received a bird’s eye view of the city at the 360° Chicago Observation Deck, and saw Chicago’s famous skyline reflected in the “Cloud Gate” sculpture at Millennium Park. A visit to the world-famous Chicago Symphony and the “Million Dollar Quartet” show were highlights of the tour.
Eighth grader Grace VanFleet was one of those on the trip. “Going to Chicago was a great opportunity for our band,” she said. Eighth grade trumpet player, Sarah Collins, comments how she “loved the Shedd Aquarium” and senior trombone player, Stephen Kosey, says, “’The Million Dollar Quartet’ was great!”
According to Collins, taking the trip right after the attacks in Paris was a little nerve-wracking, but the students did a great job of being responsible and looking out for one another. “The kids were concerned, but are aware that this is the world we live in so they are very careful. They were great ambassadors for our schools and community,” said Collins.
The Tecumseh Band Boosters help organize many fundraisers throughout the year to help band members earn the money to help offset the costs of the special bi-annual field trips like their tour of Chicago.
“In addition to the monies the band makes at the annual ‘Showcase of Bands’ competition, the Tecumseh Band Boosters helps students hold car washes in New Carlisle during the summer. The students sell popcorn in the fall and pizza kits in the winter; and we hold a chili cook-off in the spring,” said Collins. “The band members really appreciate how much the school district and community members support them through these fundraisers. With the community’s continued support, there will be many more special educational trips for our band students in the future.”
The Tecumseh Marching Arrows Director is Ms. Melissa Willardson and the Assistant Director is Ms. Anna Frascone. The Marching Arrows can be seen at the New Carlisle Christmas Parade on Dec. 5. The Tecumseh Middle School Band will hold a holiday concert on Dec. 15 at 7:00pm and the Tecumseh High School Band’s holiday concert is on Dec. 17 at 7:00pm.
For more information about Tecumseh band events go to http://www.tecumseh.k12.oh.us/Default.aspx
