Hey, Gang!
Sorry I didn't update you yesterday. It was a crazy day and I didn't want anyone to worry. But now that I'm safely home, I can share all of the crazy with you!
The final day of the conference started out early since I had to check out of the hotel and leave my suitcase with the bell desk. Then, it was a quick breakfast at the place near the hotel, a LAAARGE coffee and a shuttle ride to the conference center.
There are a LOT of resources available in the vendor area. Throughout the conference, there were a few books that had been mentioned in several sessions. I had decided that I wanted to pick them up to keep the inspiration going after I left the conference. So, first thing I did was head to the vendor area. On my way in, there was a group setting up in the lobby area to sing. The director caught my eye and I kept thinking, "where do I know him from." It only took me a second to realize that this is the group from Chicago that were finalists on America's Got Talent!! I was hoping to get a chance to speak to them, but didn't get to. I did get a photo, though!! (I also got a video, but I'll share it in class).
Sorry I didn't update you yesterday. It was a crazy day and I didn't want anyone to worry. But now that I'm safely home, I can share all of the crazy with you!
The final day of the conference started out early since I had to check out of the hotel and leave my suitcase with the bell desk. Then, it was a quick breakfast at the place near the hotel, a LAAARGE coffee and a shuttle ride to the conference center.
There are a LOT of resources available in the vendor area. Throughout the conference, there were a few books that had been mentioned in several sessions. I had decided that I wanted to pick them up to keep the inspiration going after I left the conference. So, first thing I did was head to the vendor area. On my way in, there was a group setting up in the lobby area to sing. The director caught my eye and I kept thinking, "where do I know him from." It only took me a second to realize that this is the group from Chicago that were finalists on America's Got Talent!! I was hoping to get a chance to speak to them, but didn't get to. I did get a photo, though!! (I also got a video, but I'll share it in class).
I continued on into the vendor area and quickly found the book I wanted most. There had been SO many references made to it throughout the week, so I really wanted to get it. The best part was that as I was paying for it, the author was standing right there and I was able to chat with him and get my book signed!
I ended up doing a little more shopping and picked up two more books that I wanted and got another signed by an author! That guy was a blast to talk to-- VERY funny! I really look forward to reading it!
On my way to my next session I ran into a colleague who teaches at South Portland HS. He is an amazing musician and teacher, but also has quite a few pieces of music published by the Alfred Co. We went together to watch the US Army Field Band Jazz Ambassadors (!!!!!) play for an hour and a half at a new music reading session. This is where they play about 1 1/2 minutes of about 30 different pieces of music that are brand new. They play several from each grade level of music. Part way into being there, Mr. Skeffington pointed out that we were sitting directly behind Paul Murtha. We have played a LOT of his music at SMS and he was right there!
On my way to my next session I ran into a colleague who teaches at South Portland HS. He is an amazing musician and teacher, but also has quite a few pieces of music published by the Alfred Co. We went together to watch the US Army Field Band Jazz Ambassadors (!!!!!) play for an hour and a half at a new music reading session. This is where they play about 1 1/2 minutes of about 30 different pieces of music that are brand new. They play several from each grade level of music. Part way into being there, Mr. Skeffington pointed out that we were sitting directly behind Paul Murtha. We have played a LOT of his music at SMS and he was right there!
Sadly, at that point, I had to begin my journey home. There were several more sessions that I wanted to go to, but my airport shuttle was picking me up back at the hotel, so I needed to get back. I made it safely to the hotel, safely to the airport and safely onto my first flight from Chicago to Detroit. The flight was late leaving for lots of reasons, and ultimately landed in Detroit about an hour later than we were originally scheduled. Here's where things got interesting... I had to RUN from one end of the airport to the other to make my connection to Portland. (On the way off the plane realized that several of the Jazz Ambassadors were on my flight and I couldn't stay and talk to them-- ARGH!) Anyway, I RAN to my gate to find that the plane I needed to get on was still on the ground in Chicago (not the airport I had just left, though).
So, after a wait, they decided that the flight to Portland was going to be cancelled.... WHAT?! Yep. They graciously re-scheduled me for another flight that would have left at 5:40PM the next day! No, thank you. So I waited in an incredibly long line (about 2 hours) to find a flight that would get me home sooner. The best I could do was a flight into Boston that would leave at about 7:10am. They were kind enough to give me a voucher for a hotel room, but I would have had to be back so early to go through security, etc. that I decided it was probably less stressful just to stay at the airport for the night. In a crazy turn of events, I heard, "Mrs Wise....?" while waiting in line. A former SMS student (who had a younger sister in band) was in the same predicament as me. So, at least there was a familliar face. We found a quiet area next to a charging station. Then, I plugged my phone in, turned on Netflix and got comfy (as comfy as one can get on the floor of the Detroit airport) for the night. At about 5am, we decided to get something to eat and make our way to our gate. We were taking seperate flights, so we parted ways at the beginning of "Terminal A." I hope she made it home OK!
I was getting nervous that my new flight would be affected by the snow in Boston. Thankfully, we got on our way (a little later than expected due to a small mechanical issue and the need to have the plane de-iced). Bye, bye Detroit!
So, after a wait, they decided that the flight to Portland was going to be cancelled.... WHAT?! Yep. They graciously re-scheduled me for another flight that would have left at 5:40PM the next day! No, thank you. So I waited in an incredibly long line (about 2 hours) to find a flight that would get me home sooner. The best I could do was a flight into Boston that would leave at about 7:10am. They were kind enough to give me a voucher for a hotel room, but I would have had to be back so early to go through security, etc. that I decided it was probably less stressful just to stay at the airport for the night. In a crazy turn of events, I heard, "Mrs Wise....?" while waiting in line. A former SMS student (who had a younger sister in band) was in the same predicament as me. So, at least there was a familliar face. We found a quiet area next to a charging station. Then, I plugged my phone in, turned on Netflix and got comfy (as comfy as one can get on the floor of the Detroit airport) for the night. At about 5am, we decided to get something to eat and make our way to our gate. We were taking seperate flights, so we parted ways at the beginning of "Terminal A." I hope she made it home OK!
I was getting nervous that my new flight would be affected by the snow in Boston. Thankfully, we got on our way (a little later than expected due to a small mechanical issue and the need to have the plane de-iced). Bye, bye Detroit!
It was sunny above the clouds!
Hello, Boston!!
The roads on the way home from Boston were awful due to the snow. After leaving the airport around 10:00am, we finally made it home at about 2:00pm. Other than being in desperate need of a nap and a shower, I was in good shape and SO grateful to have made it home, finally.
Even though the travel home was crazy, I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to attend the conference in Chicago!! I have so much that I look forward to sharing with you!
Sorry this is such a long post-- I apparently had a lot to say (I know you're all shocked by that!). ;) I have some fun videos that I took to share with you when I see you this week and LOTS more to share! I can't wait to see you all!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Work hard and be good to one another!
--Mrs. Wise
Even though the travel home was crazy, I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to attend the conference in Chicago!! I have so much that I look forward to sharing with you!
Sorry this is such a long post-- I apparently had a lot to say (I know you're all shocked by that!). ;) I have some fun videos that I took to share with you when I see you this week and LOTS more to share! I can't wait to see you all!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Work hard and be good to one another!
--Mrs. Wise