Watch out world, Bozeman High School’s musicians are going places-literally. The music department at Bozeman High School, arguably the best in the state, caters to around 32 percent of Bozeman High students, providing them with a unique and engaging musical education experience. The teachers have a passion for music, and work hard to share it with their students, striving to provide them with as many opportunities for growth as possible. In addition to school concerts, Bozeman High’s six choirs, and numerous bands and orchestras have the opportunity to perform with Bozeman’s best musicians ranging from the Bozeman Symphony to popular cover band Pinky and the Floyd.

However the many opportunities do not stop there. Each year, music students from Bozeman High School are given the chance to travel the country while gaining musical experience and sharing their love of music with people across the world. The top choir, band, and orchestra travel yearly on a rotating basis, each group traveling somewhere new every three years. In the past, groups have traveled everywhere from Vancouver to San Francisco, and even Europe.

Two years ago, Bozeman High’s top Orchestra crossed the Atlantic to Austria for ten days to participate in clinics with professors of music, listen to the Vienna Symphony perform, and take in the breathtaking sights of the Austrian countryside, as well as sights that were important in the lives of Mozart and Beethoven. Fittingly, their tour was dubbed the Mozart Tour. The trip was the first of it’s kind for the orchestra program at Bozeman High, and got positive reviews. When asked if the trip was beneficial in his musical education, senior bassist Ryan Krauss replied by saying it definitely was, and that visiting Europe  “made [him] learn more about music history, and why [the orchestra] plays classical music.”

Most recently, Bozeman High’s Concert choir traveled to Chicago to compete in one of Heritage Music Festival’s national competitions, sing with renowned choral directors at Northwestern University, and meet choir students from local Chicago schools. In addition to the festival and workshops, the students got the chance to see the Blue Man Group perform, attend a Cubs baseball game, and visit the Shedd Aquarium and Field Museum. Senior choir member Sierra Ely exclaimed, “Chicago was amazing!” When asked what her favorite part of the trip was, Ely replied that “singing in the cathedral at Northwestern” really stuck out in her mind. The students were immersed in the life and culture of Chicago for four days, packing exciting activities and learning experiences into every minute. The experience not only made each of the 73 choir students better musicians, but allowed the students to bond as a group while creating memories that will last a lifetime.

The Concert choir received a gold rating at the Heritage competition, and was invited to perform in New York City in 2011, but the funding for the trip would simply be impossible to get.
Even in tough economic times, through their dedication and determination, the educators at Bozeman High work incredibly hard to ensure the trips go on. As one might imagine, it is far from cheap to take a group of 70 students and chaperones on trips of such a grand scale. Surprisingly, the funding for the trips comes entirely from donations and fundraisers, not from school funding. In total, the trip to Europe cost nearly a quarter of a million dollars for the group of around 75 to travel to Austria. Each student was responsible for fundraising around three thousand dollars, and the remaining balance was met through private fundraising and donations. The orchestra students sold blankets and candles, and relied on the support of the community and family members to come up with the necessary funds.

To come up with the approximately five hundred dollars each for their trip to Chicago, choir students sold magazine subscriptions, as well as raffle tickets for the prize of half a cow. The organization Bozeman Friends of Music provides substantial financial support for the trips as well. The group generally donates around $100 per student to the trip, which is extremely beneficial. Each year proceeds from Hawks Night Live also go to the current traveling group.

This year, it’s the band students’ turn. After driving through the night for over 20 hours, the band students will participate in music clinics in Los Angeles. In addition to their music, the students will get to go to a Dodger’s game, Cirque du Soleil show, and volunteer at a local homeless shelter. The trip will cost each student approximately $720. Members of the band have tried their hand at fundraising as well by selling fruit around town. Senior band member Sascha Smith is excited for the upcoming trip. Smith believes the trip is a great opportunity to see “what life is like outside of our sheltered valley” while being able to spend time with all her friends. Senior Courtney Haynes added that it’s a chance for them to “grow musically and go on a vacation at the same time!”

The positive feedback from students and the community resulting from the trips has been overwhelming. Students who have been given the opportunity to travel with their music agree that the trips are highly valuable. As a highschooler, being given the opportunity to travel with likeminded and fun people who share the same passion is invaluable. All in all, everyone agrees that the trips not only provide students with a unique learning opportunity, but also is an example of why Bozeman’s music department is unparalleled. Smith said it best when she said, “[these trips] give us all an appreciation for our music department. We are lucky to have such great programs provided for us.” One thing is certain; the music department at Bozeman High really is going places.

Victoria Hale, Editor-in-Chief, Hawk Tawk