Even before the 2013-2014 school year kicked off, the Notre Dame Prep Music Department was up and running. To begin the music year, each music program (band, orchestra, and choir) had a summer session of one week to get to know the other members and to start preparing for upcoming concerts, such as the open house.
The week before school, at 7 pm each night, a multitude of girls walked- not ran- through the empty hallways of Notre Dame, with instruments in tow. Girls carried everything from small flute cases to bulky cello cases, but even the heaviest bass instrument seemed light to each of the girls. Even freshmen, though nervous about meeting everyone, were excited about the chance to meet new girls and discover their place in the Music Department at Notre Dame.
Students are extremely excited about the upcoming musical year. Sophomore Erin Shoul told me, “I love Band Camp! It’s a great way to kick off the school year with friends, and the best part- BAND MUSIC!” Junior Dana Medija told me, “At Orchestra Camp, you get to meet new people or see old friends, and even meet new teachers!” Erin Beach, another junior, was excited for the new music introduced by Mr. Smith during choir rehearsals. However, the one thing most girls are ready for are the music events occurring all year. Among the music events girls are most excited about are the Open House concert, Music Appreciation Week in January, and the adjudication in Nashville, Tennessee. Also, new this year is a fall concert on October 22, a chance for the Notre Dame community to hear all the music performed at the Open House, which was previously never an option .
Music Department Chair Alex Dzbinski is also extremely eager for the upcoming school year. In his words, music camp was “fantastic, especially in the new format… during the evenings instead of the mornings, and because it was the week before school, more girls showed up.” After thinking for a few minutes, Mr. Dzbinski also claimed that he is most excited for the Music Department’s second trip to Nashville. This seems to be a consensus throughout the entire Music Department; NDP loved the April trip in 2012 and is anxious to return in 2014.
The Notre Dame Prep world was and continues to be excited about the Music Department and each upcoming event. As one student excitedly exclaimed, “Music is the bomb dot com!”