May 6, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:Megan Overman, Public Information Officer
Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District
817-251-5503

CHHS band preparing for Scotland visit, festival performance

Colleyville Heritage High School band members will take part in the official signing of the Sister City Accords between West Lothian, Scotland, and the City of Grapevine. The mission is part of an exchange program that will develop educational and cultural links between Grapevine-Colleyville ISD, the City of Grapevine and West Lothian.

Forty-one CHHS students, led by assistant band directors Jennifer Vowles and Jeff Ausdemore, will travel to Scotland from June 13-21 to participate in a local festival called the “Marches Parade.” This festival can be compared to a Battle of the Bands competition. CHHS Principal Becky Prentice also will accompany the group.

In the fall, students from West Lothian will visit Grapevine to participate in local community activities here, including GrapeFest on Sept. 11-14.

The students selected to go to Scotland represent several areas of the band. Students were first selected from the wind ensemble, and others were selected based on a number of factors, including their experience.

In addition to participating in local community activities in West Lothian, the students will have an opportunity to experience the heritage and history of Scotland. They will visit ancient Scottish archeological sites, Linlithgow Palace (birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots), St. Michaels Cathedral, Holyrood and Edinburgh castles. They will experience historic farm life and ancient canals that began the industrial revolution. They will also perform at a Young Writer Awards program that received entries from more than 10,000 young people.

Principal Becky Prentice looks forward to this adventure for the students of CHHS.

“This is a unique opportunity for our kids to participate in a cultural experience where they can get a global perspective of the importance of networking and community,” she said. “It’s exciting that our students get to build camaraderie across the seas.”