Looking back on my sophomore year as a member of the Fountain Valley High School Choir, I wanted to share some of my favorite memories from the vocal music program’s tour of New Orleans in March of this year.
Photos by Leroy Tran.
We showed up to Long Beach Airport at 5:30 a.m. and almost missed our flight.
You have to bring snacks on a plane. Junior Anh Nguyen brought a bag of CHESTER’S® FLAMIN’ HOT® Puffcorn.
Once we landed in New Orleans, we walked to dinner after checking into our rooms. I was interested in these streetcars that are seen throughout the downtown area.
Besides students, parents and other school faculty went with the vocal music program. Principal Paul Lopez and his wife sat with parent chaperones during our first dinner.
The dinner included a live demonstration of the recipe for each dish. Choir director Kevin Tison was invited to make pecan pralines with the demonstration chef.
Our second day involved a boat tour in a swamp to see alligators and other fauna, including snakes, raccoons and wild boars.
We saw many American alligators, which are endemic to the Southeastern United States and are one of only two extant alligator species.
After the swamp tour, the group travelled to the Oak Alley Plantation to learn about the history and impact of slavery in the area.
We were given time to explore the city in the evening and find food. We ate a lot of food. Junior Sapphire Truong put shrimp scampi on top of French bread during her meal.
The next day began with our performances in a choral competition. Concert Choir, Troubadours, Le Petit Neuf, Baron Tones and Les Belles Voix all performed in front of a panel of judges.
We spent a lot of time waiting outside of our hotel, but it was a good time to bond.
After competing, we spent the day at Mardi Gras World to learn about the Mardi Gras holiday and parades and make masquerade masks. Junior Adrian Gummeson shows his off.
That evening was an awards ceremony for the competition. The vocal music program took home several trophies and plaques. Sophomores Aidan Trinh and Kaitlyn Ho hold two trophies.
We celebrated on the dance floor that night.
Our final full day in New Orleans included a tour of the historic French Quarter and Bourbon Street led by Kevin Tison. Jazz musicians were seen throughout the streets playing live music.
The last item on our itinerary was a boat cruise and dinner on the Mississippi River.
Everything’s better with the people you love around you.
