Council Rock North Band Travels To Hawaii, Performs At Pearl Harbor

NEWTOWN, PA — Forty members of the Council Rock High School North Marching Band traveled to the Aloha State in early April where they performed at the USS Battleship Missouri Memorial and at the Ala Moana Center in Honolulu.

The band, based in Waikiki, Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, spent six days on a performance tour of the Pacific Island state of Hawaii spreading its navy blue and silver pride to the nation's 50th state.

The band opened its tour with a March 31 performance at the Ala Moana Centers followed by an afternoon exchange concert with students from President McKinley High School in Honolulu.

Performing at the Ala Moana Centers. (photo by Council Rock North Band)

The band on the deck of the USS Missouri where the peace treaty was signed with Japan in 1945 ending World War II. (photo by Council Rock North Band)

The band next to the USS Missouri. (photo by Council Rock North Band)

On Saturday, April 1 at Peal Harbor, the musicians performed on the deck next to the USS Battleship Missouri Museum. It was on this ship that the peace treaty with Japan was signed in 1945 ending World War II. The performance was followed by a concert at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum that afternoon.

On Sunday, April 2 the morning began with hiking at Diamond Head State Monument, the home to stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and Honolulu.

That afternoon, the band was scheduled to perform at Kapiolani Park Bandstand, following a performance by the Royal Hawaiian Band and the Council Rock South Orchestra, which was in Hawaii from April 1 to 8.

Mother Nature had other plans.

During the Royal Hawaiian Band's performance, the skies opened up and a heavy downpour with thunder and lightning forced the cancellation of the CR South and CR North performances.

Members of the band at the Diamond Head State Monument. (photo by Council Rock North Band)

Instead, a beach BBQ with the Council Rock South Orchestra was held indoors at the historic Hawaii Theater (circa 1900). After noshing on "to go" BBQ, the North students enjoyed a performance by the CR South Orchestra.

On Monday, April 3 the experience continued as band members toured the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, including the museum and the USS Arizona memorial. It was here on Dec. 7, 1941 that the Empire of Japan launched a surprise aerial attack on the United States that precipitated the nation's entrance into World War II.

At Pearl Harbor. (photo by Council Rock North Band)

On April 4, the band spent the morning at the University of Hawaii in a master class with Professors Adam Kehl and Bobby King. Dr. Kehl discussed the impact aesthetic education has on students, describing how a vibrant music education translates into an education on being more human.

Later that day they visited the Dole Pineapple Plantation and enjoyed some fresh Dole Whip.

At its peak, the plantation was the largest employer on the island with more than 4,000 workers1.
Today, the plantation is a popular tourist destination where visitors tour the grounds and see how pineapples are grown, as well as enjoy other attractions like playgrounds and food stands.

They also visited the Polynesian Cultural Center where they learned about the culture of the Pacific Islands, experienced canoe rides, ukulele lessons, seven different villages and their way of life ending the day with a traditional Polynesian Feast and show.

The final day of the tour - Wednesday, April 5 - was spent exploring Waikiki, followed by its departure on overnight flights home returning to Newtown around 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 6.

"My biggest hope for the students who participated on this trip is that it was an experience that they will remember fondly," said director of bands Wayne Bishop. "It is a truly special opportunity to travel and perform a rigorous concert schedule with one's peers.

"As I was on a walk with my family just this morning, we stopped and talked with one of our neighbors who (as we were catching up on recent events in our lives) mentioned their own experience in traveling with their high school performing ensemble. The joy on his face in remembering that experience decades ago is precisely the impact I hope this trip has on these students.

"From performing pieces that are culturally and historically relevant, to learning more about other cultures and our own American history, to navigating being half a world away from home and living with peers for a week, Council Rock North Music provides unique opportunities for their students," Bishop added.

"As these students become the decision makers of tomorrow, I hope that they continue to remember and value these experiences. Furthermore, I hope that these students choose to show that they value these experiences by protecting them for future generations."

Performing at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. (photo by Council Rock North Band)