Summit High musicians travel to France, Spain to perform, learn culture

Krista Driscoll
kdriscoll@summitdaily.com
Every four years, the Summit High School instrumental music department carries its young musicians to far-off destinations to learn how music plays a role in other countries’ cultures. Next year’s trip will take the students to areas around Nice, France, and Barcelona, Spain, allowing them to interact and perform with professional musicians and explore the musical history of the areas.

“It’s something to look forward to in a big way,” said Linda Shea, director of instrumental music for Summit High. “My first year here was the previous trip we took to Europe, Vienna, Prague, Budapest. This time, I thought, let’s go to some countries that speak the languages that the kids are learning in school, so we chose Barcelona and the south of France.”

WORKING WITH PROFESSIONALS

Shea performs with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic under music director Josep Caballe Domenech, and she said Barcelona was chosen as a destination because Caballe Domenech also conducts the orchestra there. During the weeklong excursion, students will present one concert in Nice and two in Barcelona, the latter possibly under the leadership of Caballe Domenech.

“He came up and conducted them last year in some rehearsals and they enjoyed working with him,” Shea said. “He has really high standards and he pushed the kids in a fun way. … We’re keeping our fingers crossed that he’ll be there. He conducts all over the world, so sometimes he gets called.”

The trip combines members of the jazz band, symphonic band and orchestra, performing as a whole group and in smaller ensembles. The concerts will have a mixed repertoire, from contemporary works, such as music from the movie “How to Train Your Dragon,” to more classical selections like Mozart’s Concerto for Horn, with some jazz to round it out.

About 35 students will be making the trip, Shea said, along with chaperones and a handful of professional musicians, who will rehearse and perform alongside the younger players.


“Some European musicians will combine with us to play, as well,” Shea said. “It makes the sound even bigger and better, and it will be a good way for the kids to interact with some professional musicians. I have some friends from Texas and Colorado Springs and Idaho and Düsseldorf, Germany, who will be joining us to play along with the kids.”
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