Interview

(Found Olivia and Zach-remember? Facebook is good for finding people.)
Hey, I forgot to mention that a couple days ago someone from the San Mateo Times interviewed me (over phone) about the Beijing trip. I think Dad called them and asked them to do a small article about it.
So, they did a small article last year, and interviewed me. It wasn't a short interview, but they only used one quote. A lame one too. So, the last one was a long interview, so maybe they'll choose a better quote I'll post it whenever it comes out. You don't have to read the whole thing. My quote's at the end. Well, here's the old one.
I hope it's not illegal to post it...

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20070523/ai_n19167383

Aragon music group to play at Beijing festival

SAN MATEO

AGROUP OF Aragon High School musicians have just been offered the opportunity of a lifetime. All they need to do is raise some money.

The school's music groups have been invited to perform at the Olympic Cultural Festival in Beijing, one of the many events leading up to the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Roughly 150 Aragon students will go to China from June 6 to 16 in 2008, where they will participate in four or five performances and do some sightseeing, said Troy Davis, director of bands.

The groups will get to perform on the Great Wall of China, a prospect that has many students very excited. They will also be holding concerts with music groups from schools and conservatories in China.

"This route will give them a very educational and cultural experience," Davis said.

Junior Elaina Marshalek, 16, who has played the clarinet for nearly eight years, said it's not often that people can say they have performed on the Great Wall of China.

"It's really exciting. We're areally great group of musicians, and to be able to perform all the way across the world is a great opportunity," said Marshalek, who has never been to China before.

Students from the school's bands, ensembles and choirs will perform in one band, an orchestra and a choir when they go to Beijing, Davis said.

They likely will do some traditional Chinese music as well as American folk tunes and selections from Broadway musicals, he said.

Davis said they were invited because of the music department's good reputation, and the fact that he knows someone who is organizing the Olympic activities. Aragon's music groups have won numerous awards at events around the country and often attend music festivals, Davis said.

In addition to attending numerous concerts and going to the Great Wall of China, they will visit Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and Xi'an, said David Martin, director of choirs and orchestras.

One of the biggest challenges will be raising enough money so they can take all the students who want to go on the trip.

It likely will cost $2,700 per student, Davis said, meaning roughly $250,000 is needed to offset costs for all of the musicians who want to go.

They are planning to raise the money by writing grants, soliciting corporate sponsorships and holding school fundraisers.

Martin said he's confident they will raise enough money, since they have a year to do it.

"This will take the whole community to help us out," he said. "We have a lot of students who are deserving, but are by no means financially able to pay for this."

Aragon High junior Tara Caughlan has been playing the flute for five years and has even arranged a piece of music on her own. But she never thought she would have an opportunity to play at an Olympic festival.

"It's going to be so cool," she said. "I've never been out of the country before."

For more information about the trip or to find out how you can help, send an e-mail to Davis at mrtroydavis@mac.com or to Martin at artsrlive@run.com.