Alice's recent NIJO trip...

NIJO.  A 2-hour Friday night orchestra experience from the first of January to the middle of April.  5-7 pm.  EVERY Friday night.  The 6th-8th grade orchestra players endure with a conductor who tells jokes, but what they really look forward to is the day-long trip they get to take. On a nice tour bus!  

 I got to go along this time.  I volunteered to be a chaperon a couple of months ago, and was told the 4 positions were filled a year ago.

But at almost the last minute, one mom had to cancel out, and I was in.  (I began to get the idea that this trip is special--school field trips beg for parent volunteers!)

 With Cathy Craig still involved with the program, everything went smoothly.  She was already the administrative assistant when Deborah began taking violin, back in 1989.

The orchestra (Northern Iowa Junior Orchestra) played at 3 different schools in central Iowa--in auditoriums or gyms.

 It was so cute at one school, as the orchestra walked out to the bus, many of the student body came out and asked for autographs!  They had applauded and seemed to really enjoy the music. They were impressed because they were also 6th-8th graders and realized what it takes to be so proficient at that age.  And, the music was done very well.

 Then came the part of the trip everyone looked forward to--a stop at a park.  Free time.  Change out of concert clothes into casual.  We went to Pine Lake State Park and with about 50 pairs of binoculars, got to watch birds and hike a trail around the lake.

The weather cooperated.  The youth were no problem at all (I now know why being a chaperon is such a coveted job), and we had a great time.  Of course, some of the kids thought the last stop was the best--an all-you-can-eat buffet at Pizza Ranch in Eldora. 

This was Alice's last year after 4 years in NIJO--she got in as a 5th grader, and Elley was in it for 3 years. 

I'm glad I finally got to participate this time!