The Regiopolis-Notre Dame (RND) Catholic High School Senior Concert Band had the exclusive opportunity to perform on stage at Orchestra Hall, Symphony Centre, in Chicago last week during Festival of Gold.
The invitation to attend was presented to RND arts department head - Justine Lord, by WorldStrides festival organizers in response to the band’s outstanding performance at last year’s Heritage Music Festival in New Orleans. In 2024 the RND Senior Concert Band won gold and were awarded ‘Outstanding Band’.
In addition to showcasing their talents on an international stage, students had the opportunity to work with Dr. Jermie Arnold, a top-level conductor, in an intensive clinic, participate in mixed rehearsals with school concert bands from all over the USA and perform with their peers.
“The festival of Gold in Chicago was an opportunity for our students to "level-up" as musicians, and to work together to achieve a high-performance standard. We played at our highest level this weekend, and in the end, students returned home feeling proud of their accomplishments and their involvement in the music program at RND. And I know, that memories they made this weekend will stick with them forever.” said Justine Lord, music teacher and department head of the arts at RND.
Along with enjoying all the exciting experiences the festival had to offer, concert band students also had the chance to explore the Windy City. Their itinerary included a visit to the Art Institute of Chicago and Millennium Park, home to iconic Cloud Gate statue ‘The Bean’. Students took an architectural sightseeing tour cruise, were entertained in an authentic jazz club experience and participated in a graffiti painting workshop. A trip to Orchestra Hall to see the Chicago Symphony perform was the highlight of their excursions and the most awe inspiring, as the students performed on the very same stage the next day.
Regiopolis-Notre Dame Catholic High School Senior Concert Band perform at Orchestra Hall, Symphony Centre in Chicago, during 2025 WorldStrides Festival of Gold.