Vincents Big Band visits Wheat Ridge High School.

Since 1978 the student exchange program offered through Lakewood Sister Cities Program has brought students from all over the world to America, as well as giving our students from Colorado the opportunity to visit places like Sutherland Shire, Australia, Portsmouth, England, Chester, England and Stade, Germany.


The 1,000-year-old city of Stade has twenty four jazz students and three directors visiting Wheat Ridge in May 2008. After arriving Saturday they met with their host families and spent time resting up for the week ahead. Sunday the families spent time with the students getting acquainted and showing them areas of Denver and surrounding cities. We all gathered for dessert at the High School and the directors gave an update of the week ahead.









































Monday the kids attended High School with the host family students, the jazz band rehearsed and performed for the City Council that night. Tuesday they visited the State Capital and spent time in Downtown Denver. Tuesday night the Wheat Ridge Choirs and Jazz band performed. Then the Vincent Big Band performed. It was a spectacular night of excellent music.













































Wednesday the Vincent Jazz Band went to Red Rocks for site seeing and had a chance to play on the Amphitheater Stage. Then more music Wednesday night, this time for the visitors to listen to. Wheat Ridge High School String Ensemble and Concert Band performed, with a special performance with the Choir of an original Composition of” The Power Of One”, written for Wheat Ridge High School. The Power of One is a group of students that honor the efforts of their classmates for recognition and achievement.


































Thursday the students spent time in the Mountains, visiting museums and small western towns like Evergreen and Golden. Friday back to Denver to visit the Colorado Museum of Nature and Science/ IMAX and the Denver Zoo. Afterwards some of the students went to Lake Side Amusement Park. Saturday and Sunday they spent time with the host families. Some will see the Rockies Baseball, visit Six Flags Theme Park at Elitches ,see the Malls or go Paint Balling. Sunday night everyone gathered for a Pot Luck Supper, with dessert. One last gathering before the trip home to Germany. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.





Back to School on Monday morning where the students will join the directors and head to the Airport for their flight back to Germany.





Last year Wheat Ridge High School students had a chance to travel to Germany to visit the Sister City of Stade. This has been going on for several years. The students enjoy the experience, some have enjoyed it more than once.