After a long three-year wait, the Edison High School music departments once again resumed the annual music festival trips, taking a six-hour drive to Virginia Beach. The trip lasted four days at the scenic seaside.

While the orchestra could not perform because of too few performers, the band and choir both performed several songs. A combined ensemble of the Freshmen Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble performed two pieces; “The Cave You Fear,” composed by Michael Markowski, and “Suspended Animation,” composed by Patrick J. Burns. The choir performed fourteen pieces across five ensembles, with about three pieces per ensemble ranging from Kyrie Mozart Mass in C Major to renaissance, from classical to the gospel. Within the span of three months or less, each choir ensemble worked hard for this performance.

Although the choir performed a multitude of pieces, Edison High School was the only school to compete at Virginia Beach this year. Thus it was more of a clinician than a competition, where the judge would work with the choir. Choir Director Mr. Joshua Lisner jokingly told The Eagle’s Eye, “We would have gotten a “Superior,” but they didn’t give us a plaque because we were the only school there. I would have liked one though.”

With this being the first trip in three years, this Virginia adventure would be many upperclassmen’s first music department trip. A common concern surrounding this trip was the lack of human interaction during quarantine, which impacted some underclassmen’s socialization skills.

Aleena Cheriyan ‘22, the first chair clarinet in Wind Ensemble recalled, “There were a few select individuals that I knew would be a problem, and they were, but they generally behaved appropriately. They just didn’t know the rules.”

“But,” Cheriyan continued, “But they mimicked the behavior of the upperclassmen and they did better than I expected. I was proud of them.” Similar sentiments were shared by her peers.

As a senior, Casey Kregeloh ‘22 said, “I wish I had gone on this trip…” (Which may or may not be related to being able to miss school). Experiences such as go-kart racing, having fun on the beach, going on a lunch cruise, and rooming with your high school friends after a long time of restlessness was refreshing for all who attended. Rahul Katragadda ‘24 adds, “I enjoyed it and felt like my money was worth it. It’s like a whole different experience from middle school trips. I haven’t been on a trip in a while.”

Like all overnight trips, a 4-night trip to Virginia Beach was not cheap. Mr. Joseph Ciappina said “[Fundraising was] left up to the individual member.” Opportunities such as Shoprite bagging and chocolate selling were open to most music students, which Adedoyin Ayeni ‘23 and Alicia Hudson ‘24 participated in.

Unfortunately, Orchestra Director Mrs. Brittney Milicia was on maternity leave during this time. Regardless, substitute and piano accompanist Mr. Timothy Morrow expressed his pride in the Edison High School orchestra. “The Edison High School orchestra, as the Edison High School website says, is “up and coming,” but I don’t find it entirely true. The orchestra is not just up and coming, it’s here. It’s a shame that they couldn’t compete this year, and Mrs. Milicia being on maternity leave really upset the balance.”

This year’s Virginia Beach trip was a success, with no one left behind, as the underclassmen expressed excitement for their upcoming trip to Disney next year.