For this spring long weekend, over sixty Peddie students and six faculty members immersed themselves in the vibrant culture of the French Quarter Jazz Festival. Students started their travels on Friday, April 12. Despite flight delays and the usual chaos of travel, students teemed with excitement and were ready to experience all New Orleans had to offer just hours after landing. On the first night, students walked around the iconic French Quarter, experienced amazing musical performances and ate delicious food.
Juah Lee ’25 said, “I really liked the music I got to experience, especially since everywhere we went, there was always some performance happening.”
The next morning started bright and early for tours of the National World War II
Museum. This incredible co-curricular experience allowed students to enrich themselves in the material they were learning in their history classes at Peddie, whether that be AP US History or Modern Global. They concluded their time at the museum by watching “Beyond All Boundaries,” an exclusive World War II documentary. After this, Peddie students made their way to Jackson Square and the New Orleans Jazz Museum to further explore the vibrant city. Some students visited the French Market, home to diverse restaurants from creperies to those serving traditional New Orleans cuisines, a flea market, and lots of live music. There was even a dance floor with public Jazz dance lessons. The New Orleans streets were transformed into stages for famed and budding musicians alike. Anjali Sudarshan ’25 recounts, “New Orleans was unlike anywhere I’ve ever visited before. The level of musicianship was unparalleled, both on the stages and on the streets.” Later that night, Peddie students met again for a historic dinner cruise on Steamboat Natchez along the Mississippi River, just in time for sunset, which was perfect for a reflection of the earlier trip events and for taking Instagram photos. The night ended with a late-night run to Cafe Du Monde for beignets and cafe au lait.
The next morning, Peddie students hopped on buses for their Tulane Jazz clinics. Both orchestra and chorus had workshops with Tulane professors and experienced a performance from Green Wave Jazz Band, Tulane’s student jazz band. This opportunity allowed students to learn more about jazz performance and the flexibility, improvisation and collaboration that goes into it. Students had the rest of the day to explore the French Quarter before coming together for a final dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe.
On the final morning, Peddie students had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness an interactive, private concert at the historic Preservation Hall. After that, Peddie students had to bid New Orleans farewell.
Mr. Michaels, arts department chair, said, “The NOLA music trip was a perfect place to spend our spring long weekend. The weather was beautiful, the French Quarter Festival provided great music at every turn, and traveling with our superb group of Peddie musicians was enjoyable. Our participation in music clinics at Tulane University were particularly enriching for our students and teachers alike. The weekend included a nice balance of activities and opportunities for relaxation.”
This trip was such a unique experience that will leave all who went with a lifetime of memories and lasting friendships.
