Redwood’s Ranger Choir sings across the country

Today, Friday March 31st members in Ranger Choir left on a field trip to New York for one whole week.

Mr. Carrillo is the choral director who put all of this together for all of the students.

Carrillo was asked how he felt about taking such a large group of kids out of state, he says “It is exciting and scary all at the same time. It gets really fun to think that we are going to go clear across the country and share our music, but taking 61 kids across the country is always a little bit scary.”

When asked how he coordinated/got the money for the trip, he says, “So we went through a tour company called WorldStrides, … they set up all the tours, and then we had kids do fundraising and raised funds that way, and some of them just paid money as well.”

Kylie Schieferle ‘23 is a student who is a part of Redwood’s Ranger choir and she will be attending the trip to New York.

Schieferle is not super nervous about traveling, she says, “I’ve actually traveled a lot by myself before so I’m not super anxious. I actually find traveling therapeutic.”

The schedule for New York is pretty full, Schieferle says, “We’re going to see a couple of broadway shows, we’ve got a singing competition that we’re going to participate in and we’ve got some cool tours and museums we’re going to visit.”

Schieferle says, “I’m really excited, it’s going to be a new experience that I’ve never gotten to have before.”

Ethan Hickey ‘23 is another student attending the New York trip with some of Redwood’s Ranger Choir students.

Ethan Hickey ’23 courtesy of Ethan Hickey

When asked how Hickey felt about going to New York for this trip he says “Oh, New York city is so fun, so I think the whole experience is going to be very [like] bonding because all of us are really good friends in choir. Being here at 3 am in the parking lot, and being tired together, you know just doing it all and struggling together will pay off because once we are there we will have a lot of fun.”

Hickey was asked if he had ever been on a plane, and if he had how he felt about it; he says, “The worst part for people who have never been on a plane is definitely take off because it is very [like] bumpy and landing as well. Actually landing is harder than take off.”

Hickey responded to the question, What are you going to do while there, he says “We are visiting the Statue of Liberty and going on top of the Rockefeller center, we are also seeing two broadway shows, [and] performing as well. We are also going to some restaurants too.”

Luciano Noguera ’24 is also another student partaking in the New York field trip experience.

Noguera is a little bit nervous about traveling, he says, “I’m excited but I guess you could say I’ve already built up a bit of homesickness”.

“Being out of state I feel like we are going to have to hold ourselves to a high standard and represent Redwood right” says Noguera.

Noguera is interested in the cuisine in New York but he says he is, “mostly nervous about what I’m going to eat as there is so much to choose from and equally as much to miss out on trying.”

Hannah Board is going on the New York trip with Redwood’s Ranger Choir.

When Board was asked if she was going to play the piano at New York she says “ I will be playing the piano in NYC. I am looking forward to collaborating with the Redwood Ranger Choir Members who are traveling with us to create art through music. They have worked on hard on their music and it is a joy for me to work alongside them to create something wonderful.”

Board was asked what her favorite part of these kind of trips are, she says “My favorite part of these trips is getting to create new memories with students. These trips offer many students a lifetime of memories and experiences. As one of their teachers I get to see the joy on their face firsthand and that is something you can’t replace. These kids see new sights, experience new culture and are inspired by seeing other groups perform their music. It’s really an irreplaceable gift for them.”