This morning I had the chance to visit with several friends made during past exchanges for breakfast. It was great fun. Later in the day I observed several more classes at the Musikschule. Reimund also asked me to write a short article for their Musikschule newsletter, so I worked on that for a while in the conference room.Reimund and I also spent some time planning the June 2008 exchange visit, which will be the next time I travel with students to Bietigheim. We created, I think, a really nice itinerary. After the first week in Bietigheim I'm looking at 2.5 days in Prague, and then 3 days in Berlin. This past February, trombone legend Jiggs Whigham was a soloist at DGN with the Northern Illinois University Jazz Ensemble. While having dinner with him I told him about our exchange program. Turns out Mr. Whigham taught for many years in Berlin, and has many connections with schools there. Today (of all days) I received an email from him stating that he had mentioned our school to his contacts (an American ambassador in Berlin who has children at the John F. Kennedy School in the arts programs). With a few clicks of the mouse the Dept. Chair there and I were in contact. Technology is amazing.
This evening Daniella came to the Schiffer's home for dinner; it was really nice to catch up with her a little more than the few minutes I saw her on Sunday.Of course ... a lot more walking today!
Busy day tomorrow as we travel to Koln - Reimund's birth city - via high-speed train. I'm excited!
Love to everyone. Thanks for your emails and encouragement.
Click the image for pictures from today:
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