The City High Music Department is traveling to Germany and the Czech Republic over spring break. The trip will last nine days, and they will visit various cities across both countries.
“We’re gonna play 4 concerts while we’re there, and the Band Orchestra and choir will all have their own separate concerts,” Michael Kowbel, band director, said.
The main cities they will be visiting are Frankfurt, Berlin, Leipzig, Dresden, and Prague, where they will likely visit historic sights such as the Brandenburg Gate, Johann Bach’s memorial, and Kaiser Wilhelm I Church in between their concert performances.
“It’s open to everybody, it’s at the cost of the student. This has been planned for 3 years. We do this every 3 years, and students and their families have been paying for a year and a half now,” said Orchestra teacher Megan Stucky-Swanson.
Student opinions of the trip vary; some are worried about the financial aspects.
“The Trip? Everyone is invited, but man, it’s expensive,” Alexia Petrien ‘27 said.
Others are just excited to have the opportunity to play internationally.
“I am going to Germany. I’m really looking forward to the trip because it will be my first time in Europe. I’m also very excited to play the flute internationally! ” said Jolie Evans ’27.
A. S Williams • Mar 19, 2026 at 2:13 am
Hello! We just saw you all in concert last night in the small town of Milovice, Czech Republic. What a treat! Thanks for coming all this way. My family lived in Rock Island, Illinois, before moving overseas, so seeing you in concert was like a visit from home. I heard many complements from Czechs about the concert. Well done! Thank you for being positive representatives of American youth. It means a lot.
Martha • Mar 21, 2026 at 5:17 pm
I’m glad you enjoyed it! I’m a member of the band and the news editor at the Little Hawk and it means a lot you stopped to comment this. I also shared it with everyone else on the trip.