Our Great City

The 2008 Tring-Carroll Music Exchange and the Gala Performance will be Wednesday, October 29 at 7 p.m. at White's Chapel United Methodist Church in Southlake. This event marks the mid-point of a 12-day Texas Tour by the Tring School students from England. The Tring students and chaperones arrive on October 22 for 12 days of performing, sightseeing and experiencing everything Texas style through their Carroll student hosts and families.

The music exchange will feature Ms. Alison Gent directing 67 of her students from the Tring School Music Department in concert, choir as well as swing band musical selections. They will perform in addition and in combination with selections by the Carroll Wind Ensemble and Jazz bands, under the direction of Ron Behrends, Jay Bach, Ken Johnson and David Lown.

The evening will feature not only these talented musicians from both sides of the Atlantic, but will also feature a couple of very special presentations by noted dignitaries from our area.

This music exchange only happens once every four years and is offered to students in the Carroll High/Senior High School Band program (grades 9-12) by audition. These students must provide their own funding for their trip and can participate in several booster-sponsored student trip-account fundraisers throughout the band year. As a part of their fundraising, two Southlake businesses – Campania Pizza at Southlake Town Square and C&C Mums – graciously agreed to provide portions of their proceeds. Campania donated 10 percent of all proceeds for the evening of Monday, October 6. C&C Mums agreed to donate 10 percent of proceeds from all Carroll purchases. C&C Mums is located at 6600 Colleyville Blvd., Suite A and can be contacted at 817-310-1095.

This Tring-Carroll Gala Performance at White's Chapel is a very special and truly unique experience for all. The students and staff look forward to this event and hope to share with the audience their dedication and excitement for this particular program as well as for their own school music programs.