Participants' Comments

"The hall in Beijing is wonderfully constructed. All of the professional musicians were awed by its sound. The audience was keenly attentive and expressed enthusiastic acceptance of the performance. It was a magnificent evening for students and adults."                                       Robert Albritton, Pioneer Band Director

"If an American school ever gets the chance to visit China through the CACBC, never say no. Do fundraisers, have your community help out, anything to have this amazing experience. Our students from Pioneer High School had the best experience plus their performances were fantastic, as were all the Chinese performances."
Betty Smith, Pioneer Chaperone

"My proudest moment was during our third performance, at the beautiful theater.  Listening to Chinese performers and then watching them truly appreciate the western performers and music made our students and parents really proud of being part of this cultural exchange.  I also enjoyed observing the students from both countries interact at the high school after the performance."
Gary Popiel, Tour Organizer      

"All the staff at the hotels were as nice and helpful as anyone could wish. The servers at all the restaurants were great."

Joe Koppin, Pioneer Student

"This trip was the best I ever had. When people at home (US) ask me about China I cry, not because I was unhappy in China, but because I was extremely happy. I wanted to give people in China things that I own, but I realized the best gift they have from me is my music. It is the universal language. Even now, writing these comments, I can't even explain my true feelings because the experiences and events were too great for words."

Gwendolyn Kantor, Pioneer Student

"I loved the Great Wall! The view was superb and I enjoyed seeing so many people from every country in the world, climbing steadily upwards with one intent."

Kay Clifford, Pioneer Chaperone

(back to top) 

"It was powerful to stand on the Great wall and picture what went into the building of it, and to imagine all of the battles that took place there. It felt great to be part of such a different and rich culture."

Tom Bellen, Pioneer Student  

"I want to sincerely thank everyone at the CACBC. I have experienced the opportunity of a lifetime at the age of 16. I'll never forget it."

Joe Koppin, Pioneer Student 

"My proudest, most exciting moments were the concerts. The claps and cheers that seemed to never end showed us just a glimpse of what each audience member felt and grasped about each piece. To see the smiles and hear the sounds of the audience was the best gift of appreciation."

Gwendolyn Kantor, Pioneer Student

"My happiest moments were on stage when we shared the music we had worked hard on for months with the new friends we made in China. We had an amazing turnout for our concerts and the Chinese appreciated our music, even though it was so different from theirs." 

Kelly Grucelski, Pioneer Student

"I loved visiting the Chinese high school. I liked having split concerts and being able to watch the Chinese performers." 

Emily Junck, Pioneer Student      (back to top)

"The most exciting moment was playing soccer at the high school. I learned so much on this trip and my eyes were opened to another world."

Ashley Nies, Pioneer Student

"I loved listening to the Chinese performers play. I had never really heard Chinese music before, and it was very interesting. I didn't know what most of those instruments were!" 

Michael Martin, Pioneer Student

"I loved the kung fu show and the high school. The tour guides were awesome and I loved learning Chinese!"

Ashley Nies, Pioneer Student

"The kung fu show was awesome. I will never forget what a great a time I had."

Katharine Eschman, Pioneer Student

"Nobody should be at all worried about traveling to China at this point. Everybody was very nice and friendly about everything. Nobody ever mentioned anything about a conflict between China and the US."

Ann Brophy, Pioneer Student

"My proudest moment was after we got done doing our last concert, because I knew that this moment was what we had worked so hard towards, and I knew that all of our work paid off. This trip was something that I will remember forever."

Courtney Collins, Pioneer Student        (back to top)

Robert Albritton, Pioneer Band Director

Susan Custer, Pioneer Chaperone

Kay Clifford, Pioneer Chaperone 

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"I learned a lot on this trip. The length of the trip was perfect.  In the time I was there, I was attached to Chinese culture. After 10 days, I felt as though I couldn’t leave.  Any negative feelings I had toward China have been dispelled.  This was a wonderful opportunity and a wonderful experience."

Terence O’Neill, Concert Band

"Nanjing and Beijing were my favorite cities.  I enjoyed visiting these cities primarily because of the sites available to us there.  In Nanjing was Sun Yatsen’s Mausoleum, which was probably the most interesting site of the trip.  I was also glad to visit Beijing because of the multitude of sites, including the Great Wall, Tian’anmen Square, and the Summer Palace."                                                                                                  Roger Haddad, Concert Band

"This trip was much better than I anticipated.  The people of China were warm and hospitable; the sites we saw were magnificent; and the food was excellent.  Everyone from the Chinese American Cultural Bridge Center did whatever was necessary to make this a memorable trip for everyone.  Mr. Lee, the general manager, insured that all of our activities took place without any problems.  The students and I appreciate what he did to make the lunch at McDonalds possible! "                                                                         Joseph Boldys, Adult Participant

Ed Poterek, Adult Participant                                  (back to top)

"Linda and Annie were my favorite guides. I loved them both and hope to stay in contact with them.  They were wonderful and knowledgeable.  They made us feel like family! I speak for everyone when I say this trip was excellent and it will be something I will remember for a lifetime.  Shie Shie!"                                                                                               Kevin Smith, Concert Band

"Having our school perform with children from China was very emotional!  I felt very proud to be a part of this cultural exchange. We have learned so much from this meeting!"                                                                                               Bonnie Rajewski, Adult Participant

"I loved meeting with the students and teachers at the Nanjing Middle School. It was very rewarding to see students from two different parts of the world talking together, and discovering that they may be different but they also are very much the same.  When the concert at the middle school opened with a combined performance of  “Auld Lang Syne” I was overwhelmed with emotion.  Music truly is the international language."                                                                                                                                                  Jody O’Neill, Adult Participant

...I am only 16, not quite an adult, and yet I feel that I have been blessed with an opportunity few people my age, let alone any age, could dream of.    I sit here on this plane teary-eyed, reminiscing over the many beauties of China: the beautiful gardens, the intriguing food, and the people (so much more inviting and friendly than what I am used to). I only wish that every man, women, and child could visit this country with so much beauty and cultural heritage to share with the world. In comparison to the conformity of other countries, China stands out.  And while it may not all be peaches and cream, the sheer glory of striving for man-made natural environments, the rich belief in art, the excitement in the joy of a waterfall or a zigzag bridge, and the timelessness of a structure made with the hands that can be seen from space."   

Stephen Painter, Jazz Band

"Seeing the way another culture lives was the most rewarding experience.  Coming from suburban America, to see millions of people living a completely different lifestyle really put my own life in perspective. Seeing the whole picture is better than just parts. We were treated wonderfully in China.  Everybody was extremely nice and accommodating."                                                                                          Michael Koester, Jazz Band    

"I would like to thank the CACBC for this wonderful opportunity.  Without their help and guidance, I never would have been in China.  I really enjoyed the trip and my visit, and I know the rest of our group can say the same.  So, thank you again for everything."                                                    Mark Rajewski, Concert Band

"The trip was one that will provide everlasting memories.  I am very happy and grateful to have had this wonderful opportunity.  Thank you to all who worked so hard to make this happen! I feel the trip was very well organized and had a wide variety of experiences.  The combination of beautiful ancient gardens; the Forbidden City; ancient buildings; the Three Kingdom City; the Great Wall; boat rides; different meals; a 24-course dinner and Peking Duck; along with different shows and performances; factory visits and shopping gave everyone a taste of what China is, and is becoming!!"                                                                                                                                                  Jody O’Neill, Adult Participant

Can you read Chinese?  Check out an article written in the Chinese newspaper about New Trier's High School Jazz Band & Orchestra Tour!!

Chinese Newspaper Article

English Translation!