Chicago Day 2

Can you believe it? It was beautiful here today - 55 or 60 degrees. What a day we've had!

8:15am we were on the bus, off to downtown Chicago. It was very exciting to see the building formerly known as the Sears Tower (now Willis) knowing we'd be going up there a few hours later. First stop was William Harris Lee - www.whlee.com - to visit where the instruments were made that we are borrowing (cellos and basses). This violin shop is in a beautiful building on Michigan Ave. - from their 5th floor window we could see Lake Michigan. Our group was split in half - we got to meet the luthiers (instrument builders and restorers) who work in the back of the shop. Johnathan showed us lots about how instruments were made - we saw a beautiful violin from northern Europe, circa 1750, that was being restored. The other half of the group heard from Amy all about the shop, instruments, buying and renting instruments, and more. Then the groups switched. Amazingly informative! Anyone interested in purchasing an instrument should definitely consider contacting the folks at William Harris Lee.

Next stop, 11am, was the Sky Deck at the Willis/Sears tower. Lots of standing in lines to wait for the 60 second elevator ride, but the result was awesome - we could see for miles!!! We were on the 103rd floor - and got to stand OUTSIDE the building in a plexiglass box that protrudes 5 feet outside the building (completely closed in, but totally see through). It was fun to see the students spending time enjoying the Sky Deck.

Lunch, after we came back down, was on the run - hot dogs, Chinese food, Italian food. Then we headed to Orchestra Hall for the 1:30 Chicago Symphony Orchestra concert. Some of us were in the 3rd or 4th row, some of us about 15 rows back. We saw a fascinating multi-media presentation about Elgar's Enigma Variations complete with actors! The famous Charles Dutoit conducted the CSO. After intermission, we heard the complete piece performed. It was fantastic!!!!

The bus whisked us away, after that performance, to Vernon Hills High School where we met students and heard a program amazingly similar to ours. Only, they have a pool INSIDE their school - waterpolo practice was going on when we were eating dinner! The Vernon Hills Symphony, under the baton of Frank Lestina, played the Butterfly Lover's Concerto (Chen - He) and the Finale from Dvorak's New World Symphony. Then our groups played for them. The cultural exchange was great - we met Lacrosse players, robotics students, and many other kids similar to us. The provided us with a great dinner and some great connections were made.

This evening the Honors orchestra group had rehearsal, and the rest of us did some practicing in small groups and then we had a Trivia contest based on the first 2 days of the trip. Time to tape the doors and settle down. Tomorrow starts bright and early with an 8 or 8:30 call (depending on the group). Sightseeing (and some rehearsing) tomorrow...

Quotes of the day (other than "Gina, do you have your violin??"):
1. Do you want a Mountain Dew?
2. I owe you one.
3. I want to drive fast, in a car that was made for that.