WVHS @ the London New Year's Day Parade 2010

London Picture CD

2010-01-07T06:31:00.001-08:00

Thanks to everyone who followed our blog during our trip! A great time was had by all and we're glad that we were able to post our daily adventures to everyone back home.

We are now looking to create a London picture CD that contains the best-of-the-best pictures from parents and students who went on the trip. We are asking that people who took pictures on the trip bring in a CD (or flash drive) with their favorite pictures. We will take these pictures and create master CD that will then be duplicated for anyone wishing a copy.

So, please bring in those pictures!!!! When we have the master CD ready, we will ask you to bring in a blank CD and we will make a free copy of the master CD for you!

Saturday

2010-01-02T13:16:00.000-08:00

Today the whole group took a tour to Oxford then to Windsor castle. Once again it was cold, but very sunny, making for some great pictures. Everyone raved about how much both tours and I'm sure it will be most people's favorite part of the trip. Below are some pictures I took with my tour group.

Saturday - Oxford and Windsor Castle

Videos:

Changing of Guard at Windsor Castle

Glassware Ensemble

Parade Videos

2010-01-01T15:32:00.001-08:00

Thanks to everyone that has posted (or found) videos of our performance in the parade. I just finished uploading four videos that my wife took throughout the parade.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Parade Update

2010-01-01T08:40:00.000-08:00

It was sunny and cold day in London, perfect day for marching in a parade in front of tens of thousands of people (and millions across the world via TV!) I can't explain how incredible it is to participate in a parade where everyone is so excited and thankful that you are there. People everywhere and of every nationality where coming up and asking to take pictures of the band and with students from the band.

As soon as we finished, all the students immediately started talking about how amazing the experience was for them. I just finished uploading some pictures and I will try to have some videos available before too long.

Everyone has free night, but the directors are headed to a special parade reception for directors, so I won't be able to take anymore pictures today. Sorry =(

Parade Pictures

A few Clips from the Party

2009-12-31T17:16:00.000-08:00

Dancing to Thriller

Dancing to YMCA

2010 Count Down

Update on Parade Broadcast....

2009-12-31T15:37:00.001-08:00

I know lots of people have been asking what networks will be featuring footage of the Band in the Parade, I haven't been able to answer yet because no one can give us an answer. All networks have been offered the "live feed" for pickup, but none have confirmed that they will be broadcasting any portion of the parade.

I have received word that another school participating in the parade will be offering a webcast of the live feed. Below I will give a link to the article about their band, and then the link to the site where the webcast will be offered.

I hope you guys are able to pick it up.

Broadcast Article

Webcast Link

LIVE from the New Year's Eve Party!

2009-12-31T14:07:00.000-08:00

OK, going to give this a shot: I've got my laptop setup at the party and I'm going to invite kids to come over and post messages to their family and friends via comments to this thread, so be sure to check the comments below.

Thursday, December 31st

2009-12-31T11:58:00.000-08:00

Today was an unstructured day for everyone. Students gathered in small groups with adults and went out to see the sights of the city. Since we everyone was in separate groups I'll only being uploading pictures from my group. BUT! To make up for this picture shortage, I'll be adding pictures from our New Year's party which is to start at 9pm (in about a hour). Also, if the wireless internet works at our party location, I will be setting up my laptop and allowing students to leave their own messages on the blog. I hope it works!!!

Pictures: Not sure what's going on, but my photos keep uploading to a folder I don't specify. Today the pics appeared in a previously posted gallery:

Thursday Pictures

Videos:

Pigeons outside Westminster Abbey

A performer in the Underground

Aerica gets her picture made

Wednesday, December 30 - UPDATED

2009-12-30T13:55:00.001-08:00

Today was an extremely busy (and a bit rainy) day for the WVHS Band in London. The band split into three groups to tour several major London landmarks via bus (they prefer to be called 'coaches'). After lunch near the Tower of London, all groups boarded a large tour boat and we cruised down the Thames river until we arrived at Greenwich. We toured the Royal Observatory where students were able to stand in both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres simultaneously. We then walked down to the National Maritime Museum in order to spend some time wandering through the exhibits. Around 4:30 we hoped on our coaches and traveled back to the hotel. Everyone had the evening free to do as they wish.

Pictures are posted to the Picasa link I created yesterday, I'm also working on uploading two videos to youtube, I'll post the link when they go live.

Cheers

EDIT:

Here's the two videos I have added to youtube.

St. Paul's Cathedral

The Painted Room

Also, I just realized that I uploaded the pics to a new folder instead of the one I posted yesterday. While there is a way to move between the different galleries, the following link will allow you to navigate directly to the newest pictures.

Wednesday Pics

Wednesday Morning

2009-12-29T23:01:00.000-08:00

We're up and about to sit down to breakfast at the hotel. This morning we are taking a chartered tour of London landmarks including St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. After lunch we will board a Thames River Cruise boat to Greenwich where the eastern and western hemispheres meet. We will also visit the Royal Observatory and Naval College, which is largest maritime museum in the world. Our tours end at 5:30 and the evening is free for everyone to spend at their leisure. Pictures will be posted later tonight.

Tuesday, December 29th Update

2009-12-29T13:44:00.000-08:00

Sorry to keep people waiting for this update, but my computer has been possessed tonight. Both flights went smoothly and arrived to a rainy and foggy London. We had dinner together at the hotel and are most people went to bed early tonight. Tomorrow we have a busy touring day. To make uploading pictures easier for me I'm going to post them to our picasa web album, here is the link:

WVHS Band in London Photo Album

By the way, I should announce that today we had a marriage proposal!!!! Tanner Hunt, Mr Hunt's son, asked his girlfriend to be his wife and she said yes! Congrats to them! You can see a picture of them in the above photo album.

Cheers and be sure to spread the word of our blog!

2nd flight - DL10

2009-12-28T18:24:00.000-08:00

The 2nd plane is boarding in 20 minutes. Next update will most likely be tomorrow afternoon.

Atlanta airport update

2009-12-28T13:37:00.000-08:00

Everyone has made it through check-in and security and the 1st plane is to begin loading soon.

Checking in at the Atlanta airport

2009-12-28T11:39:00.000-08:00

We have made it past the most dangerous part of our trip: Atlanta traffic. Many people have already checked in and are now going through security.

Check In Has Begun!!!

2009-12-28T06:03:00.002-08:00

A few pics before we leave for Atlanta!

WVHS Band featured in the Chattanooga Times

2009-12-23T07:44:00.000-08:00

An article concerning our trip to London was featured recently in the Chattanooga Times. Click the following link for a copy of the article and a video from one of our rehearsals.

Chattanooga Free Press Article

Welcome to our Blog!

2009-12-11T11:30:00.000-08:00

During the past London trips we have used our website to display pictures and information about what we were experiencing during the trip. This time around we're going to use this Blog to keep families and friends updated on a daily basis. Due to the unique features of the Blog format, individuals (on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean!) can post comments and greetings that can be read by other individuals. So parents, let your kids know you miss them! Remind little Bobby to dress warm! Students: Let Mom know you are having a blast and you don't wanna come home! Let Dad know that you found some wonderful souvenirs and need more money in your bank account!