Marblehead OKs groups’ Vegas trip

MARBLEHEAD-In a reversal, the once-fearful School Committee has approved a trip to the Las Vegas A Capella Summit Oct. 10, which will be held in a Las Vegas high school.The approval means that Fine Arts Curriculum Director Beth DelForge, Choir Director Amanda Roeder and at least two parents will accompany members of Marblehead High?s two award-winning a capella groups – Luminescence and Jewel Tones – on the trip. They will miss one school day, a Friday, attend workshops at the summit on Friday and Saturday and take a flight back on Sunday.When Roeder and DelForge came before the committee last month three members expressed concern over the location and the distance the students were traveling. However, the trip was supported by Superintendent Paul Dulac, who held a meeting between School Committee Chairman Dick Nohelty, DelForge and Roeder.Thursday evening Dulac pointed out that to get a comparable opportunity, the students would have to travel to the West Coast. Nohelty agreed with the request, saying that it is in line with the school?s emphasis on encouraging students “to reach out.”DelForge reminded the committee that the Marblehead High string section traveled to Austria several years ago.?To us this feels like the next logical step,” Roeder said. “Some phenomenal high school groups will attend this and we need to learn from them.”?These kids can reach even higher levels,” Dulac said. “They deserve an opportunity.”Committee member Patricia Blackmer still had questions about the number of days the trip would take and the number of chaperones.Her colleague, Eurim Chun, offered an answer: “I love the fact that we have problems like this,” she said, thanking Roeder for creating success. Chun?s motion to approve the trip was supported 4-1, with Blackmer opposed and Committee members Nohelty, Amy Drinker and Jonathan Lederman also in favor.As she left the meeting, Roeder said she was “grateful that so many School Committee members were willing to reconsider this and get over their (fear).”Dulac said he would meet with athletic and fine arts educators to develop criteria for long-distance trips.