A CD of the RRHS Concert Choir and Madrigal Singers performing at the American Lutheran Church in Oslo, Norway is available for $12.00.
A DVD summary of the RRHS music trip to Norway is available for $15.00.
You may order one of each for a total of $20.00.
Please send your order and your check to:
Bruce Morlock
RRHS Music
2211 17th Avenue South
Grand Forks, ND 58201
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Photos
Eirikur Varvin, one of our hosts in Sarpsborg, has posted many of his photos of our visit to Sarpsborg. You can view them at the website of the Sarpsborg Jente og Gutte Korps. www.sjgk.no
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
DVD project
We are in the process of editing raw footage into a DVD of the trip. We will make this available through the music department to the students and the general public.
The Final Chapter
We are all home now and reflecting on a fantastic trip. All connections were smooth for the Iceland flight and the Newark, NJ flight. Three of the Newark people got to Grand Forks and had no luggage when they arrived in Grand Forks, but we decided it is better to have that happen on the way home than on the flight to Norway. Jet lag is fading and we can stay up later in the day and wake up later in the morning. Many of us were up at 3:00 or 4:00 AM on Sunday and Monday morning.
We shared the Iceland flights with the Concordia College Band from Moorhead, MN. They were returning from a very successful 2 week tour of Norway. We swapped stories and parted company at the MSP airport.
We have so many people to thank: Dr. Mark Sanford and Ron Gruwell for their continued support throughout the entire project; the school board for having confidence in us and voting to approve the trip; the parents for trusting us with their children; the community for supporting us by buying things from us every time we had a fund raiser; Mayor Brown and his wife for joining us in Sarpsborg and sharing this experience with us; Bruce Nord of B Clean Supply for the use of his van to haul equipment to MSP and back, the faculty and staff at RRHS for working extra to help the students cover their academic requirements, and of course, the chaperones for giving of their time and efforts to make the trip possible.
And finally, mange tusen takk to our Norwegian hosts. We were treated so graciously every minute of the trip. The accomodations and the meals were outstanding. Now that we have all experienced syttende mai in Norway we know what a celebration should be.
To the people of Sarpsborg, here is the portion of my speech that I forgot at Kulas Park on syttende mai:
Og Sarpsborg, for en pen by. Været er fint, sola skinner, himmelen er blå, alle menneskene her er snille og hyggelig, barna er smarte, flinke, og velopdragne, maten er god, og naturen og utsikten er fantastisk. Jeg synes at Sarpsborg virkelig har alt!
My apologies if I have some words wrong.
We are all thinking now of how we can return to beautiful Norway again.
Thanks to everybody for thinking of us and following us on our journey.
Bruce Morlock
Band Director
Red River High School
2211 17th Avenue South
Grand Forks, ND 58201
We shared the Iceland flights with the Concordia College Band from Moorhead, MN. They were returning from a very successful 2 week tour of Norway. We swapped stories and parted company at the MSP airport.
We have so many people to thank: Dr. Mark Sanford and Ron Gruwell for their continued support throughout the entire project; the school board for having confidence in us and voting to approve the trip; the parents for trusting us with their children; the community for supporting us by buying things from us every time we had a fund raiser; Mayor Brown and his wife for joining us in Sarpsborg and sharing this experience with us; Bruce Nord of B Clean Supply for the use of his van to haul equipment to MSP and back, the faculty and staff at RRHS for working extra to help the students cover their academic requirements, and of course, the chaperones for giving of their time and efforts to make the trip possible.
And finally, mange tusen takk to our Norwegian hosts. We were treated so graciously every minute of the trip. The accomodations and the meals were outstanding. Now that we have all experienced syttende mai in Norway we know what a celebration should be.
To the people of Sarpsborg, here is the portion of my speech that I forgot at Kulas Park on syttende mai:
Og Sarpsborg, for en pen by. Været er fint, sola skinner, himmelen er blå, alle menneskene her er snille og hyggelig, barna er smarte, flinke, og velopdragne, maten er god, og naturen og utsikten er fantastisk. Jeg synes at Sarpsborg virkelig har alt!
My apologies if I have some words wrong.
We are all thinking now of how we can return to beautiful Norway again.
Thanks to everybody for thinking of us and following us on our journey.
Bruce Morlock
Band Director
Red River High School
2211 17th Avenue South
Grand Forks, ND 58201
Friday, May 18, 2007
Friday
Today was Oslo day. We left Sarpsborg at 8:30. Mayor Engsmyr, asst. mayor Einar Evenson, Uno Larsen, Steinar Opstad, and Eirikur Varvin were there to see us off. We were all wearing our new SJGK hats that were given to us by the Norwegians.
The choir went straight to the American Lutheran Church where they sang for a crowd and recorded for a CD. The band went to Vigeland Park to see the sculptures and then to Holmenkollen Ski Jump. All 3 buses met up at the Viking Ship Museum All the sights on the tour were excellent.
The students then had the afternoon to check out some other Oslo sights. Several went to Akershus Castle, some went to the Nobel Peace Center, and most everyone ended up on Karl Johanns Gate.
We gathered at the hotel at 5:30 and checked into the hotel. Dinner was at 6:30. We received heart felt thanks and good wishes from our 3 Norwegian tour guides. They have become members of our group - as have the fantastic bus drivers we have. Mike and Ann Brown have been with us since Tuesday night and joined the students all day today and were at dinner. Dr. Sanford addressed the students and congratulated them. Bruce Morlock gave his syttende mai speech again for the students, this time in English.
Now it is down time. Kids are hanging out in the lobby or visiting each others rooms. Some went for a walking tour of downtown Oslo with 2 of our guides.
As we reflect on the trip, we all agree on one thing. These students have been tremendous ambassadors for our school, state, and country. They shared their music with thousands of people and left their mark everywhere they went. All comments we have received have been very positive. We are very proud of all of them and when they tell you about all of their experiences you will feel the same.
We are scheduled to land at MSP at 5:55 tomorrow afternoon. A reasonable guess for arrival at the high school is 12:00 midnight. The 14 people flying into GF arrive at 11:20 PM.
We are sad to leave our new friends and excited to come home and tell you all about the trip. Thanks to all of you who supported us and trusted us enough to take the students to Norway.
The choir went straight to the American Lutheran Church where they sang for a crowd and recorded for a CD. The band went to Vigeland Park to see the sculptures and then to Holmenkollen Ski Jump. All 3 buses met up at the Viking Ship Museum All the sights on the tour were excellent.
The students then had the afternoon to check out some other Oslo sights. Several went to Akershus Castle, some went to the Nobel Peace Center, and most everyone ended up on Karl Johanns Gate.
We gathered at the hotel at 5:30 and checked into the hotel. Dinner was at 6:30. We received heart felt thanks and good wishes from our 3 Norwegian tour guides. They have become members of our group - as have the fantastic bus drivers we have. Mike and Ann Brown have been with us since Tuesday night and joined the students all day today and were at dinner. Dr. Sanford addressed the students and congratulated them. Bruce Morlock gave his syttende mai speech again for the students, this time in English.
Now it is down time. Kids are hanging out in the lobby or visiting each others rooms. Some went for a walking tour of downtown Oslo with 2 of our guides.
As we reflect on the trip, we all agree on one thing. These students have been tremendous ambassadors for our school, state, and country. They shared their music with thousands of people and left their mark everywhere they went. All comments we have received have been very positive. We are very proud of all of them and when they tell you about all of their experiences you will feel the same.
We are scheduled to land at MSP at 5:55 tomorrow afternoon. A reasonable guess for arrival at the high school is 12:00 midnight. The 14 people flying into GF arrive at 11:20 PM.
We are sad to leave our new friends and excited to come home and tell you all about the trip. Thanks to all of you who supported us and trusted us enough to take the students to Norway.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
the blog
As the end of the trip draws near, we should give credit to the people responsible for the blog. Allison Peterson and Brad Sherwood have taken hundreds upon hundreds of photos and made them available for the blog. Bruce Morlock has typed the daily updates, and Christy Keele (Morlock) has done the blog design and linked the photos from Bloomington, IN.
Think about this: we took the photo of the combined RRHS and SJGK bands at about 2:45 in the afternoon. Within an hour, that photo, plus all the others of the day plus the video link to Norway TV were all posted on the blog and being viewed literally around the world. Maybe that is only impressive to those of us who had typing class on manual typewriters.
It has really been exciting to post all of these things knowing how many people were hanging on our every word and photo. It has been a wonderful link.
Think about this: we took the photo of the combined RRHS and SJGK bands at about 2:45 in the afternoon. Within an hour, that photo, plus all the others of the day plus the video link to Norway TV were all posted on the blog and being viewed literally around the world. Maybe that is only impressive to those of us who had typing class on manual typewriters.
It has really been exciting to post all of these things knowing how many people were hanging on our every word and photo. It has been a wonderful link.
syttende mai
Today was the big day; Constitution Day. What a day it is, and was.
It started very early. We left the hotel at 6:45 AM. That was after your children had breakfast; their wake-up call was at 5:15. The band went to Kruseløkke Skole and met the Sarpsborg Jente og Gutte Korps. (SJGK) We marched together through empty streets to Kulas Park. There we watched a program of readings, music, and flag raising. Then we marched to the statue of St. Olav. At the statue we were asked to play a march, so we played National Emblem. We also played the national anthem, Ja vi elsker and listened to a speaker.
After that program we marched back to Kruseløkke Skole and had breakfast with SJGK. Then it was time for the big parade. We marched a few blocks over to the staging area. From the very beginning of the parade to the end, approximately 3 km, we marched through a tunnel of peoplel There was never a space without people on either side. Suits, bunads, flags, cheering, clapping, and constant excitement. The choir students and chaperones marched behind the band and had a great time.
After we arrived at Kulas Park we stood in the middle of the amphitheatre area in front of the band shell and played. We had to stop whenever another band arrived. We played Nordic Fanfare, Magnificent Seven, Amazing Grace, Valdres, and National Emblem. In the middle of those we had the drumline perform their routine. You can see some of it on the video link.
The choir left to go rehearse at the old church, about two blocks away. The band stayed at Kulas for the program after the parade. The drumline did another brief routine and Mr. Morlock delivered a speech in Norwegian. The crowd was estimated at 10 to 12 thousand.
The band headed to lunch while the choir took part in a wonderful church service. Then the band marched to the fire station and listened to a men's chorus. Next, the band marched with the choir and the SJGK back to the Festiviteten. We were then reunited with the choir in the buses. We drove to an old people's home and played a couple of songs. Then we marched a couple of blocks to Kurland School. The band played, the choir sang, and the drumline played again. (they have reached rock star status) SJGK played, the anthem was played and sung, and the program was over. The two bands combined for a photo and then we went to the hotel.
We got to the hotel just past 3:00 and we had until 5:00 to change clothes and rest. Some power naps took place and then off we went. Our farewell barbecue was by the water and the evening was beautiful. The kids had a chance to relax, walk down to the water, play soccer, basically do whatever they wanted.
Back to the hotel by 10:00.
This was the day we were aiming for over the last several months, and it did not disappoint us. We will have so many stories to tell when we get home.
Ha det bra!
It started very early. We left the hotel at 6:45 AM. That was after your children had breakfast; their wake-up call was at 5:15. The band went to Kruseløkke Skole and met the Sarpsborg Jente og Gutte Korps. (SJGK) We marched together through empty streets to Kulas Park. There we watched a program of readings, music, and flag raising. Then we marched to the statue of St. Olav. At the statue we were asked to play a march, so we played National Emblem. We also played the national anthem, Ja vi elsker and listened to a speaker.
After that program we marched back to Kruseløkke Skole and had breakfast with SJGK. Then it was time for the big parade. We marched a few blocks over to the staging area. From the very beginning of the parade to the end, approximately 3 km, we marched through a tunnel of peoplel There was never a space without people on either side. Suits, bunads, flags, cheering, clapping, and constant excitement. The choir students and chaperones marched behind the band and had a great time.
After we arrived at Kulas Park we stood in the middle of the amphitheatre area in front of the band shell and played. We had to stop whenever another band arrived. We played Nordic Fanfare, Magnificent Seven, Amazing Grace, Valdres, and National Emblem. In the middle of those we had the drumline perform their routine. You can see some of it on the video link.
The choir left to go rehearse at the old church, about two blocks away. The band stayed at Kulas for the program after the parade. The drumline did another brief routine and Mr. Morlock delivered a speech in Norwegian. The crowd was estimated at 10 to 12 thousand.
The band headed to lunch while the choir took part in a wonderful church service. Then the band marched to the fire station and listened to a men's chorus. Next, the band marched with the choir and the SJGK back to the Festiviteten. We were then reunited with the choir in the buses. We drove to an old people's home and played a couple of songs. Then we marched a couple of blocks to Kurland School. The band played, the choir sang, and the drumline played again. (they have reached rock star status) SJGK played, the anthem was played and sung, and the program was over. The two bands combined for a photo and then we went to the hotel.
We got to the hotel just past 3:00 and we had until 5:00 to change clothes and rest. Some power naps took place and then off we went. Our farewell barbecue was by the water and the evening was beautiful. The kids had a chance to relax, walk down to the water, play soccer, basically do whatever they wanted.
Back to the hotel by 10:00.
This was the day we were aiming for over the last several months, and it did not disappoint us. We will have so many stories to tell when we get home.
Ha det bra!
Media Coverage of syttende mai
The local media in Sarpsborg has been covering the syttende mai celebration today and the RR contingent. Follow the links below....
Sarpsborg Newspaper:
Sarpsborg Newspaper
Newspaper Picture Album
Story on RR Drum Line
Sarpsborg Newspaper:
Sarpsborg Newspaper
Newspaper Picture Album
Story on RR Drum Line
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Wednesday
Maia Randklev, Emily Christian, Kayla Notbohm, and Briana Jones recreate the Beatles' Abbey Road album cover in Norway.
Late Wednesday night here in Sarpsborg and it has been another great day. We started with a band rehearsal at 9:00 AM. It was great to play again; we had not played since last Friday. We then had some down time until 12:00. That was good for the kids because it has been go, go, go.
We took a tour of Sarpsborg at 12:00. It started with a tour and lunch at the Storedahl Kultursenter. Erling Storedahl was responsible for bringing light and inspiration to blind and disabled people. It was a very interesting place and we had an educational presentation in an amphitheatre. We enjoyed lunch with the Sarpsborg Jente og Gutte Korps. We have made many good friends in that band.
Next we visited a fortress called Fredricksten. Claire Anderson and Mr. Morlock, the two biggest golf nuts on the trip, took the time to visit the golf course next to the fortress and got Norwegian scorecards.
We travelled to Olaf Hotel and unloaded our instruments to prepare for a short parade. We marched about 6 blocks to the city center where we joined 3 other bands for a concert. The band played well and the crowd was very enthusiastic about our music.
After dinner (middag) at the Festiviteten we returned to the St. Olaf Hotel. The jazz band did a great job at the concert and again we had a fantastic crowd.
It was a long and tiring today. Tomorrow is the big day. Lots of marching and playing and the choir sings in a church service at 12:30 PM. The day will end with a farewell barbecue and bonfire by the sea.
Personal photo albums
A few of the chaperones have created Norway photo albums on Facebook. Public links for these are available, so you can access the albums even if you do not have an account on Facebook. Each album contains up to 60 pictures, so this is a great resource if you'd like to see more photos from the trip! You can view several of Allison Peterson's and Brad Sherwood's albums using the links below. Just like on the blog, you should be able to click each picture to enlarge it when viewing the albums.
Norway #1 - Allison Peterson
Norway #2 - Allison Peterson
Norway #3 - Allison Peterson
Norway #4 - Allison Peterson
A bit of Norway - Brad Sherwood
Faces of Norway (this one features the students!) - Brad Sherwood
More Norway - Brad Sherwood
Norway #1 - Allison Peterson
Norway #2 - Allison Peterson
Norway #3 - Allison Peterson
Norway #4 - Allison Peterson
A bit of Norway - Brad Sherwood
Faces of Norway (this one features the students!) - Brad Sherwood
More Norway - Brad Sherwood
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
More Tuesday photos
Tyler Meyer and Seth Young at a very scenic spot.
Tom Young, Dean Opp, and Brad Sherwood. "The Brain Trust".
The Sarpsborg Jente og Gutte Korps welcomes us to Sarpsborg!
Part of the crowd at the welcome.
Tom Young, Dean Opp, and Brad Sherwood. "The Brain Trust".
The Sarpsborg Jente og Gutte Korps welcomes us to Sarpsborg!
Part of the crowd at the welcome.
Tuesday photos
Dakota Noyes gets into the Viking spirit. The Fretheim Hotel is in the background.
Lyndsey Harter, Colleen Jeno, Cassel Everson, and Connie Sherwood make a couple of new friends.
Right after we stopped at this scenic overlook a snowstorm started. This group toughed it out.
Claire Anderson and Sam Thompson at the end of the snowstorm.
Chaperone Paul Peterson gets in touch with his inner Viking and influences young impressionable minds.
Lyndsey Harter, Colleen Jeno, Cassel Everson, and Connie Sherwood make a couple of new friends.
Right after we stopped at this scenic overlook a snowstorm started. This group toughed it out.
Claire Anderson and Sam Thompson at the end of the snowstorm.
Chaperone Paul Peterson gets in touch with his inner Viking and influences young impressionable minds.
Stallheim
This is the view of the valley from the Stallheim Hotel. Spectacular!
A group at Stallheim.
Bruce and Jackie Morlock trying to set up a Christmas card photo.
Our students lined up in a slit trench to get into an old Nazi bunker behind the Stallheim Hotel. It had a very small door opening with a low overhang. This is where Nick Nelson earned the nickname "Hard Hat". He hit his head on the way in and again on the way out.
A group at Stallheim.
Bruce and Jackie Morlock trying to set up a Christmas card photo.
Our students lined up in a slit trench to get into an old Nazi bunker behind the Stallheim Hotel. It had a very small door opening with a low overhang. This is where Nick Nelson earned the nickname "Hard Hat". He hit his head on the way in and again on the way out.
Tuesday
Tuesday night in Sarpsborg. We are here!
We started the day in beautiful Flåm and had a couple of hours to do some shopping at a great store. (owned by Arnie Brekke's cousin) We were on the road by 11:00, stopped several times to view scenery, eat, or just get out of the bus! We had to time our arrival because the Norwegians wanted us to arrive at precisely 8:00 PM. And we found out why! We had a great reception from the Sarpsborg Jente og Gutte Korps (Girls and Boys Band) and many relatives and friends of theirs. The band played, the crowd cheered, and many flags were waved. It was tremendous.
Tomorrow the band marches to the city center to play a concert with 3 other bands. In the evening the jazz band and madrigals will present a concert at the St. Olav Hotel.
We started the day in beautiful Flåm and had a couple of hours to do some shopping at a great store. (owned by Arnie Brekke's cousin) We were on the road by 11:00, stopped several times to view scenery, eat, or just get out of the bus! We had to time our arrival because the Norwegians wanted us to arrive at precisely 8:00 PM. And we found out why! We had a great reception from the Sarpsborg Jente og Gutte Korps (Girls and Boys Band) and many relatives and friends of theirs. The band played, the crowd cheered, and many flags were waved. It was tremendous.
Tomorrow the band marches to the city center to play a concert with 3 other bands. In the evening the jazz band and madrigals will present a concert at the St. Olav Hotel.
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