Field trips resume with more restrictions
By Aidan Levy

    Recently, a group of West Hartford district supervisors and members from the executive team decided to reinstate out-of-state field trips, lifting the ban from last year. This year, I Giovanni Solisti and Voce di Coeli will go to Europe, and next year Concert Jazz Band, Choraliers and Jazz Dancers are set to go on Eurotour. Although the matter was a difficult issue, the committee’s vote was unanimous.

    “Everybody knows the value of field trips,” said West Hartford Arts Department Supervisor Haig Shahverdian. “They are an important part of the curriculum, and it’s important that we continue to go.”

    Despite the events of Sept. 11, the group felt that the current world situation was stable enough to continue field trips without a great risk. Whether it is safe to go on field trips will be continually evaluated throughout the year, said Shahverdian. “Everyone said ‘Look, after Sept. 11, let’s get back to our lives,” said band director John Mastroianni. “This would be a year for Solisti to travel, so they’re travelling. Next year would be a year for the Eurotour, so we’re travelling.”

    I Giovanni Solisti Director Ed Degroat said, “Basically, we have the same world situation as before “Obviously, it’s more of a concern not for the trip [to Europe] but for the health and safety of the world and our students.”

    Last year, students had a lot of free time to roam without a chaperone during field trips to large cities. On one occasion, several students got “lost” in New York City and ended up appearing on Total Request Live on MTV. Due to many parents’ concern for safety on trips, free time without a chaperone will be limited.

    “One thing we want to make sure of is that students are chaperoned as much as humanly possible,” said Assistant Superintendent Alex Nardone. “We’re being very optimistic, hoping that nothing terrible will happen and students will be able to travel abroad.”

    Shahverdian is disappointed that some music students will never have the chance to go on the European tour. “We know it’s something that kids look forward to,” he said. “No one wants to disappoint his or her students. My only words of consolation are to have a great year, make excellent music, dance so well, sing so well.”