Spring Music Trip

The Spring Music Trip

Will Perryman ('28)

This spring, a group of students from the Bishop O’Connell chorus, band and orchestra went to New York City for the annual World Striders Performing Arts contest. The O’Connell choir performed particularly well, earning a Gold Rating along with one of its members, Grace McCabe, earning the Maestro Award for an outstanding individual performance. The instrumentalist performed great as well, taking home the Sweepstakes Award and for the Orchestra exclusively, the Adjudicator award.  The trip was not just about sightseeing—it was a celebration of music. Jillian Sok, a talented singer from the group, had the chance to showcase her musical skills in New York. Reflecting on her experience, she shared, “‘The best thing I sang was ‘Jungle Dance.’” Sok also took in some top-tier shows, noting, “Wicked was amazing,” describing the Broadway hit as a truly magical experience. The students were also treated to a live orchestral performance of Back to the Future, featuring the actor who played Marty McFly in the original 1985 release. 

No trip to New York would be complete without exploring some of the city's most famous landmarks. The students marveled at Times Square’s bright lights, enjoyed the view of the Statue of Liberty from a distance, and even encountered giant bubbles in Central park. As the group toured the city, they also enjoyed some of New York’s best food. The pizza was a standout, leaving many of the students craving more of the iconic New York-style slices. Another favorite treat was the boba tea, about which one anonymous student raved: “Boba tea strawberry shortcake collab was amazing".  The band also visited Ichiban, a renowned ramen spot in the city. "The ramen place—Ichiban—was incredible," said Sok, who recounts the dinner aboard a cruise on the Hudson River that gave the group a stunning view of the skyline at night. Beyond the food and musical performances, the students took the opportunity to explore the rich cultural history of New York City, including  Patrick’s Cathedral, the 9/11 Memorial and the Grant Memorial. One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, which were even more breathtaking when lit up at night. "The views from the bridges at night were spectacular,” band teacher and chaperone Ronald Isaacson said. “We had a really great trip to New York City. The hotel in Newark was nice, and we saw Times Square, the 9/11 and Grant Memorials, and the Statue of Liberty (in the distance)." From musical performances to iconic sights, delicious food, and the magic of the city itself, the students returned home with new perspectives, unforgettable memories, and a deeper appreciation for music and culture.