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Eden Prairie
Community Band
2002 China
Performance Comments
From the
Director...
"I have performed on tours with the Eden Prairie Community Band all over the
world, and our tour to China with CACBC was by far the best experience that I've
ever had. We had a lot of special requests that the capable staff of CACBC was
able to pull off without a hitch. The performances were amazing - we were able
to perform at incredible venues with incredible audiences. I don't even have
words to describe the experience of our outdoor concert where 10,000 people
lined up in the streets to cheer our performance. It was really an emotional and
unforgettable evening."
"The hospitality that we encountered, from Chinese officials, to school
children, to people we had conversations with while site-seeing was
overwhelming. We were presented awards, given banquets, and most importantly,
began new friendships."
"What
we gained in cultural exchange and as performers is irreplaceable. Visiting and
communicating with another culture - especially through common interests such as
music - is very healing, and exactly what we needed. We would love to return to
China with CACBC!" 
Marilyn Rateike,
Director
"I felt that..."
"We were treated like
royalty everywhere we went in China.
Everyone
was so polite, considerate and seemed eager to help make our visit so
special."
Steve
Thompson, Band Member
"I was treated in China very, very well. People were consistently helpful,
courteous and friendly. I am very glad I
went."
Robyn
Scott, Band Member
"Everyone was so gracious, helpful, friendly, and courteous in China. I
am so glad I went than I would have ever imagined possible."
Dianne Weingartz,
Band Member
"We
were treated like GOLD. I loved everything! I am more than glad I went. I cannot
wait to return. Perhaps with my choir or
singers."
Clark Duhrkopf,
Band Singer
"My proudest/most exciting
experience..."
"My proudest and most exciting moments on the trip were our
performances – meeting and talking to people. Meeting and talking to
people at Tiananmen Square was also very exciting”.
Ralph Kumpula, Band Member
"My proudest and most exciting moment on the trip was meeting the
children at the international school."
Diane Kottke, Band Member
 "My
proudest and most exciting moment on the trip was performing at the
outdoor concert for the general public. Every opportunity that I had to meet
with the Chinese people was very rewarding."
Jodi Mohs-Davis,
Band Member
"My most exciting moment on the trip was meeting students at the international
school and meeting the people at the concerts and being able to share our
cultures."
Steve Thompson, Band Member
"My proudest and most exciting moments on the trip was meeting and talking with
people after the
concerts."
Tom Wahlrobe, Band Assistant
"My greatest memories of the
trip are: a) The performances – being a “musical ambassador” was a lifetime
experience! b) The Chinese music performance. c) The home of 5 generations
(underground cave dwellings!)."
Mary Thompson,
Band Assistant
"My proudest and most exciting moments on the trip were verbal exchanges with
students, teachers, sales people, and Chinese who spoke English and started up
conversations with us while we were touring Chinese historical places."
Dianne Weingartz,
Band Member
"I found that my favorite experiences were those that allowed us to meet the
Chinese people - and the meals were great! This trip was hard work but it was a
priceless memory that I will treasure forever."
Steve Thompson,
Band Member
"Our tour to China
was........"
"Yes, it was a spectacular
trip, an amazing tour. I loved seeing China for the first time and performing
for the Chinese people. Everyone that I met was lovely and gracious."
Jodi Mohs-Davis, Band Member
"The trip was a priceless
experience. Being a former art education major, I had to take ancient art
history class over 30 years ago. I remember a lot, and now it has become more
real  and exciting for
me.”
Dianne Weingartz, Band Member
"The outdoor concert was just
overwhelming!! It was great and the chance to go out and talked to the students
and audience was priceless."
Robyn Scott,
Band Member
"Each performance was
thrilling. The flowers (children presented to us after the concerts) were so
nice. Everyone was so
kind."
Clark Durkopf,
Band Singer
"The
people were so gracious and happy to see us. It helps us to perform better when
the audience is excited to see us. All the tour guides were so knowledgeable and
eager to share information and stories with
us".
Diane Kottke,
Band Member
"Saying goodbye..."
"I feel very encouraged that
America and China are able to 
move forward together for mutual
benefits."
Joanne Bartol,
Band Member
"Overall, a wonderful exhausting trip to a big place. Good
job giving us a wide slice of life in China."
Robyn Scott,
Band Member
"I would like to return and see all of the places that I have been, and visited
on this trip."
Clark Duhrkopf,
Band
Member
"I am most appreciative
of all the dedicated work from CACBC!!"
Mary Thompson,
Band Assistant
"I would love to return, and
see more of China!!!"
Diane Kottke,
Band Member
"This trip was the trip of a
lifetime."
Ralph Kumpula,
Band Member
"Thank you for all your hard work and everything you did to make this trip so
special for all of us." Steve
Thompson, Band Member
"An incredible experience. I am going
back!"
Tom Wahlrobe,
Band Assistant |
