Every other year, James Caldwell High School’s Music Department embarks on a music tour, visiting cities such as Boston and Orlando, where students in band, chorus, and orchestra have the opportunity to perform or participate in music clinics. This year, the group headed to Washington D.C., with stops along the way in Delaware and Maryland. As a student who joined the department on tour, this year’s tour was an educational experience that allowed us to connect with music and cultural landmarks in a way that disrupted our normal routine. Here is a rundown of our music tour itinerary:
Thursday, April 3 – Clinics, Culture, and Theatre (Delaware and Maryland)
The trip began Thursday morning (around 4:30 AM) as students boarded buses for the first stop: the University of Delaware. At UDel, members of the Concert Band, Orchestra, and Choir took part in performance clinics, working with faculty and receiving feedback to sharpen their musical technique.
The chorus worked with Professor Paul D. Head, Director of Choral Studies at the university. With more than two decades of experience, Professor Head introduced students to vocal techniques grounded in anatomy and ensemble skills. “This was by far one of my favorite parts of the trip,” said freshman Angie Parathath.
“We connected in a new way through the music, and I’m already looking forward to the next trip.”
The group then traveled to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor to visit the National Aquarium, before making a stop at Fort McHenry—the site that inspired “The Star-Spangled Banner.” For many students, especially those in the chorus who have sung this song in their repertoire many times, standing on the historic grounds where the national anthem was born was a meaningful moment.
The day ended with a performance of The Music Man at Toby’s Dinner Theatre. With many music students also involved in the school’s theatre program, this part of the trip offered a nice crossover between their interests.
Friday, April 4 – A Closer Look at the Capital (Washington D.C)
Friday’s schedule was centered around sightseeing in D.C. A walking tour took the group from the Lincoln Memorial to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, with views of the Washington Monument and Reflecting Pool along the way. Across the way, students were also able to explore several of the Smithsonian museums, including the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of American History, and
the Natural History Museum. “This was definitely my favorite day,” said senior Caroline Pienciak. “We got to see so much and had the freedom to really take in the city at our own pace.”
Saturday, April 5 – A Visit to the Zoo (Washington D.C)
Before heading back to New Jersey, the group spent the morning at the Smithsonian National Zoo, home to a wide variety of animals and one of the oldest zoos in the country. Afterward, the buses rolled out for the return trip, arriving back at James Caldwell High School by dinnertime.
While the trip focused on music, it offered a blend of performance, history, and shared experiences. Thanks to the planning efforts of TRC Tour Managers, faculty chaperones, and students, the 2025 JCHS Music Department tour offered a chance to learn, both on stage and off.
