Traveling Notes

Day 8: The Closing Concert

2007-07-12T03:46:00.000-07:00

The Festival's closing concert, which took place in the beautiful Aula Magna of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, was the culmination of a week of intensive rehearsals and many public performances. By now the participants had reached a level of synergy that became evident in this magnificent performance.

Day 7: Relaxation at the beach

2007-06-30T10:16:00.000-07:00

And on the seventh day, they rested. After six days of hard work, practicing and giving concerts, the Traveling Notes students took the day to relax and have fun in the sun.

Stephen cooling off

Jubim kicking back

Timmy admiring the clarity of the water

Lydia showing off her smile

Timmy. Stephen, Paul, Pam, Lydia, Kaia, and Samantha

Daniel taking a snooze

Paul, Pam, Jubim, and Timmy

The crew posing at the beach

The Traveling Notes string orchestra

With Maestros Jorge, Georginho, and Diego

A final shot of the Traveling Notes crew at the beach

Dominique and Carolina

Day 6: On our way to the land of sun

2007-06-30T09:12:00.000-07:00

Thursday dawned with the expectation of going to the Wyndham Hotel Dominicus in Bayahibe on the southern coast of the island, 3 hours east of Santo Domingo. The kids boarded the bus in the early morning, in time to get to the hotel by lunch, have time at the beach and an afternoon rehearsal. In the evening, the kids gave a concert at the hotel on the resort's performance stage.

Day 5: Visit to Santo Domingo's Colonial Zone

2007-06-29T18:47:00.000-07:00

The next day, Wednesday, consisted of a fun-filled and educational visit to the Colonial Zone, where the students received a tour of the spot where Christopher Columbus (Critobal Colón) made his home and from where his son, Diego, ruled as viceroy. After the tour, the group went back to the university for rehearsals and then an informal concert in the University Library.

Day 4: Playa Aura

2007-06-29T17:26:00.000-07:00

After 3 1/2 days of intense rehearsals, concerts, and classes, it was time for a break and a visit to the beautiful beaches of the Dominican Republic, where it was time to really let loose....

Day 4: Concert at Plaza de la Salud

2007-06-29T17:18:00.000-07:00

In the morning, the crew visited the local hospital at the Plaza de la Salud, where the played a concert for sick children at the hospital. Their efforts and concern were much appreciated by the young patients.

Day 3: Trip tp Gualey

2007-06-26T20:06:00.000-07:00

One of the main purposes of Traveling Notes is to expose the wonders of classical music to people who would not otherwise have the opportunity, and to children in particular. To that end, Traveling Notes went to a poorer section of Santo Domingo Provinces. The students played in the local church, jammed full of children. The enthusiasm of the event could not be stifled by the heat within the church.

Day 3: Publicizing Traveling Notes

2007-06-26T19:39:00.000-07:00

While the rest of the crew rehearsed, students Carlos and Marlee, Maestro Jorge Aguirre, and Executive Director Ellen Brager visited TeleColor for an interview and to provide publicity for the concerts, especially the coming closing concert on Saturday night. It was great fun to have their 15 minutes (well, 5 1/2 minutes) of fame.

Day 2: Post Concert Reception

2007-06-26T19:17:00.000-07:00

After the concert, a small reception was held, featuring the jazzed performance of Maestro Hipólito Javier and his students.

Day 2: Concert for the Sponsors

2007-06-26T18:01:00.001-07:00

Traveling Notes would not have achieved its success without the support and generosity that a variety of sponsors, both individuals and institutions, have demonstrated since its inception. First and foremost, the UASD (Autonomous University of Santo Domingo), through its provision of concert spaces, rehearsal areas, the time donated by the Music Department and the Faculty of the Arts, instruments, equipment and labor, had a key role in turning Traveling Notes from an idea into reality. The U.S. Embassy support scholarships which allowed 8 students from Fort Worth, Texas, Norfolk, Virginia and Rochester, New York to participate in this exciting musical encounter. Hilton Hotels and Wyndham Resorts donated rooms for participants, Vinopolis Wine Retailers and Tarapaca Vineyards provided wines for receptions, American Airlines offered complimentary flights, and other companies like Chevron and COPEL offered other assistance. Many individuals also provided support, but those that deserve special mention are the families that opened up their houses to these young musicians and their accompanying parents. To all we say "Many many thanks - muchísimas gracias!"

Day 2: More Rehearsals

2007-06-26T17:25:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, it was back to the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo for more rehearsals, this time in preparation for the concert to be given for Traveling Notes sponsors and the press. The kids worked hard, and showed an amazing capacity to work together and improve their performances through dedication and steadfastness.

Day 1: Post-Concert Dinner

2007-06-24T09:10:00.000-07:00

Now able to relax, the Traveling Notes family settled down for dinner at the Fry-and-Grill Restaurant at the Acropolis Mall.

Lizzie, Marlee, and Stephen

Deb and Samantha

Jubin, Gigi, and Timmy

Maestros Joel Pagán and George Amorim

Day 1: Concert in Acropolis Mall

2007-06-24T08:18:00.004-07:00

In the early evening, the crew trooped off to the Acropolis Mall, where they performed the pieces they rehearsed earlier. As they set up the performance area and got into their places, there was a great sense of expectation among the audience. The performance area was on the ground floor of the long central atrium of the mall, where people on the gound and upper two levels could view and listen to the concert. At any given time, there were some 100-150 people listening to the Traveling Notes youths, both Dominican and American, perform.

Day 1: Rehearsal

2007-06-24T07:21:00.001-07:00

The International Encounter of Young Musicians started on Saturday, June 23 with a series of rehearsals in the Aula Magna (Grand Hall) of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (the oldest University in the Western Hemisphere).

Joseph Bonura and George Amorim

Stephen Williams and Jonathan Matthews
looking reveiwing the score.

Hipólito Javier's Dominican studernts practicing
in the foyer of the Aula Grande.

Running through "Eleanor Rigby."

Mestro Diego Garcia leading the rehearsal.

Lizzy Paluszek leading the bass line.

Continuing rehearsal....

Maestro Jorge Aguirre leading the first violins.

Arrival

2007-06-24T04:37:00.001-07:00

Finally, the day we all have been waiting for. Everybody arrived safe and sound, though very, very tired.

2007-04-20T07:56:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Traveling Notes Blog. Here we will post pictures and messages from our music students during their stay in the Dominican Republic so that family and friends at home can follow their adventures from a distance. We hope you will visit us regularly.

While we are waiting impatiently for the students to arrive, we have posted some pictures of this beautiful country. Enjoy!