Wanna Stroll...Again?

Do you remember the first time you strolled down the isle for the first time? I sure do! I was very nervous and wondered if I would even remember "Entrance and Opener" or if I would trip and fall over the table full of nice old ladies.  As a viola player, I was happy I didn't have the melody, but I was also aware that when I kneeled and serenaded a table, I would be a soloist...heart in my throat!  In Satin Strings, I had the time of my life.  I learned so much about performing and how to say "Thank You" when one of those nice old ladies told me we played well. What I wouldn't give to re-live that...

Well, you can now step back in time and "stroll down memory lane" so to speak.  The Permian Orchestra Spring Concert will also feature the 2nd Reunion Stroll for all former Satin Strings members.  The concert will be held in the Permian High School Auditorium on Saturday, May 19th at 3:00 pm.  All of the music will be posted online at the Orchestra Website: www.permianorchestra.com. If you can make it, please email me todd.berridge@ectorcountyisd.org or respond to the post on Facebook. 

Please mark this date on the calendar.  I'm sure this will be special and I hope you can make it.  Get crackin' on Feudin' Fiddles!! 

A Marching Orchestra? Further Video & Photographic Proof!!

This is how you wind-up an already enthusiastic Irish Parade Crowd in Limerick...

Satin Strings in Ireland at the Limerick International Band (and Orchestra) Championship:

Thanks to Trey & Josh at Director's Choice Tour & Travel for the videos and the photos!

Video Proof

Check out this YouTube video from the Dublin Parade.  Permian starts at 6:29 of the clip.

Wi-Fi...Why Not?

Back on-line and back in the USA!

According to the Odessa American, after I kissed the Blarney Stone, I ironically LOST my gift of gab.  Almost, but not quite.  I lost the gift of broadband internet.  Try uploading hi res photos with dial up!

With a decent Wi-Fi, I can make this post all about wrapping up this fantastic trip the Permian Orchestra and Band took to Ireland.  9 days flew by so fast, but we accomplished so much as a music program.  Several "BIG" events took place: Marching in a foreign country, performing in 1,000 year old cathedrals, learning that 2 weeks without rain in Ireland is a severe drought, the Irish really REALLY like potatoes and that if you fly near thunderstorms, you will be diverted!  Seriously, the Irish people were the friendliest hosts we could have hoped for.  Their open nature and willingness to make us feel at home was a blessing.  Thank you to DC Festivals, DC Tours & Travels, Atlantic Tours, the parents and students and the many people involved in making this a wonderful trip.

Photos from the trip:

The St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin:

Orchestra Performance at St. Patrick's Cathedral:

Thunderstorms:

As I close out this post, we had a blast.  Thanks to the community support.  See you soon!

We Are Home...Almost

There is so much left to be written and documented about this trip...but as I sit at the Sweetwater TA Truckstop I realized: THERE MIGHT BE Wi-Fi! But alas, my dreams were dashed. Sweetwater 3G coverage is still better than Dublin Wi-Fi!

The travel home has been a tough one. Some started as early as 11:00 pm Sunday (Texas time) and are returning home as I write this post: 6:15 am Tuesday (Texas time).  2 buses, 4 planes, 4 airports, meals at odd times, diverting planes because of thunderstorms...but I wouldn't change any of it! This trip was awesome.

I will post more after some serious shut-eye and a well deserved hiatus from potatoes!

St. Patrick's Day: It's Kind of a Big Deal!

Permian Orchestra Trip to Ireland: Day 6 & 7

The story of St. Patrick is a wonderful tale...too long to tell, but trust me on this one!

The Orchestra and Band has made their way from Galway into the capital of the Irish Republic: DUBLIN.  Situated on the River Liffey Dublin has been around since the days of the Vikings, circa 988 AD.  Now that MOJO has been here, the circle is now complete!

Day 6 started out with a whirlwind tour of Dublin.  Included in this tour was Trinity College, The Book of Kells, Grafton Street and St. Patrick's Cathedral.

The highlight of the tour was St. Patrick's Cathedral.  Even more of a highlight was performing in the cathedral. The acoustics were amazing and to be surrounded by so much history was outstanding!

St. Patrick's Day:  The band and orchestra marshaled at the parade staring point and mixed with several groups: a British Marching Band, The Mighty Mizzou Band (University of Missouri), and the Fightin' Irish of Notre Dame Marching Band.  It was a blast to hear and see the many students and teachers ready to have fun and embark on a year's worth of work!



More pictures later...

A Royal Good Time!

Permian Orchestra in Ireland: Day 4 & 5

"On the road again, just can't wait to get on the road again..." Truer words have never been spoken, unless they have driven on the back country roads in Ireland. Bumpy doesn't begin to describe it!

The plan yesterday was to visit very old castles. The first on the itinerary was the Blarney Castle in the County Cork. The Blarney Castle was built in 1480 by Cormac Laidir McCarthy. He was known to be a bit of a charmer and had a way with words. It is said if you kiss the Blarney Stone on the 5th story, you are gifted with McCarthy's "Gift of Gab". We shall see.

After a great meal and some shopping at the Blarney Woolen Mills, we loaded up and headed for the Bunratty Folk Park and Castle. The Bunratty Castle was built in 1425 and was originally owned and ruled by the famous O'Brien clan. After many centuries it fell into major disrepair until it was refurbished in the mid 1960's. We came for a great medieval meal, but what we got was a tremendous show and wonderful music! What a treat!

Today, we ventured out again...this time to the Cliffs of Moher and some down time in downtown Galway.

We started out taking the scenic route to the Cliffs of Moher.  This road took us through small villages and hamlets that looked as if they had just stepped out of the 1700's. Beautiful landscapes!

 Before we reached the Cliffs, we went through a really strange but beguiling portion of County Clare called the Burren.  In the Burren, massive limestone rocks have been brought to the surface through time and the elements.  Most were exposed during the ice age when the massive glaciers covering Ireland moved out to sea.

The Cliffs of Moher was a sight to see!  Expansive limestone cliffs rising out of the water at 900 ft!

After the awe-inspiring Cliffs of Moher, all of the students and chaperones shopped and gazed in wide wonder at the 1400th century city centre of historic Galway.  It is like a living page of medieval history come to life.  A lot has changed since then, but in this particular corner of Galway, NOTHING has changed...and it is great! 

Tomorrow it's off to Dublin and the orchestra concert at St. Patrick's Cathedral.