Wisetrips Travel Blog

How time flies! Only yesterday, Alex entered Dartmouth Middle School as a 6th grader (from Guadalupe Elementary). Three short years later, he is graduating with honors from Dartmouth Middle School and heading to high school ( Go Bells !) The Dartmouth Middle School Graduation followed this program: Processional to "Pomp & Circumstance" Flag Salute "Star-Spangled Banner" by the Ch…

At the end of Dartmouth Middle School's school year, the Symphonic Band held a final banquet to celebrate all of the band's accomplishments. The banquet was supposed to start at 7:00pm, so we arrived at 6:30 to wait in line. The banquet actually started a bit later. We stood in line for a catered dinner (Alex sat separately with his friends). After a good dinner, Mr. Sam Neipp showed us a slideshow and played some of the…

Today, we attended the last performance of Dartmouth Middle School's S pring Concert - the second concert in 2017. Since he is graduating this year, Alex played trumpet for the last time with the Dartmouth Symphonic Band. After the obligatory "Star-Spangled Banner," t he Jazz Band opened the Spring Concert with " Listen Here " by Eddie Harris. This was followed by " Superstition &qu…

One of Alex's reasons for wanting to join the Symphonic Band at Dartmouth Middle School was to participate in the annual Disneyland trip. He worked hard during 7th grade to prepare for his Symphonic Band audition and was finally admitted into the Symphonic Band in June of 2016. During the Disneyland trip, the Symphonic Band got to play at Disneyland and California Adventure theme parks and record t…

Today, we listened to the 2017 Dartmouth Pops Concert at Dartmouth Middle School. It was the first Band concert of 2017, with Alex playing trumpet in the Symphonic Band. Once the Pops concert started, Mr. Neipp presented and directed all major bands, including the Jazz Band, Beginning Band, Choir (led by Gina Jenkins), Concert Band, and Symphonic Band. The music program…

Today, we listened to the 2016 Dartmouth Winter Concert at Dartmouth Middle School. It was the final concert in 2016, with Alex playing trumpet in the Symphonic Band. While we waited outside for the concert to begin, we were entertained outdoors by Dartmouth's musicians. Once the concert started, Mr. Neipp presented and directed all major bands, including the Jazz Band, Beginning Band, Choir (led by Gina …

Today, we saw a once-in-a-blue-moon Halloween Concert at Dartmouth Middle School. Most of the Concert and Symphonic Band were dressed in black, and some choir participants wore Halloween-themed costumes and make-up. Alex wore all black (as expected). The music program started out with the following compositions by the Concert and Symphonic Bands: " Grim Grinning Ghosts ," arranged by…

Today, we attended a performance of Dartmouth Middle School's S pring Concert - the second concert in 2016. Alex played trumpet in the Jazz and Concert bands, and we were eager to observe his performance. The Jazz Band opened the concert with " On Green Dolphin Street " and continued with " Rock This Town ." Alex played the trumpet and sounded good. The Beginning Band took over next wit…