For a long time, the Notables and Ordrup Gymnasium Be-Sharps have led an exchange of culture, ideas, music. Although this program was suspended during the pandemic, both Notables and Be-Sharps look forward to the annual event.
Ordrup Gymnasium is located in Copenhagen, Denmark.
In 2010, Baldwin, Ordrup, and Haverford began a musical exchange program. Each year, schools host students for week-long visits.
The last time the Danish students have been at Haverford was in 2019. Now, with a new director and many additions to the Notables, students in and outside of the group had a chance to experience different customs and some amazing music.
The Be-Sharps arrived on Monday, October 24, sporting both a rock band and a choir. Each student was assigned to a Notable or Baldwin B-flat to stay with for five days. Over those days, they explored the city of Philadelphia, participated in school days at Haverford and Baldwin, and performed in many concerts.
Sixth Former Harvey Pennington, one of the few Notables to have gone to Denmark in his Third Form year, was ecstatic to learn that the program was finding its feet once more.
“When I heard we were restarting the exchange program, I was absolutely stoked.”
Harvey pennington ’23
“When I heard we were restarting the exchange program, I was absolutely stoked,” Pennington said.
This year, more activities were planned with the visitors. Pennington vaguely remembers wishing he could have talked to them more in the past. This year, he found the experience was much better.
“I think the main difference is how much more activities we got to do and how much we interacted with the Danish students.” In addition, he found that hosting not only one, but two Be-Sharps was not a burden, but one of the “best decisions of his life.”
“I learned a lot about their culture, but also how exchange students are just normal people as well that just want to have a good time.”
Harvey pennington ’23
“I learned a lot about their culture, but also how exchange students are just normal people as well that just want to have a good time.”
“This was an extremely exciting week,” New Notables Director Mr. Matt Mastronardi said. “I’m looking forward to doing more collaborations with Ordrup Gymnasium and the B-Flats, and excited to sing in beautiful spaces and make music [when the Notables arrive in Denmark].”
Pennington hopes that when the Notables head to Denmark in Spring Break, they will get to experience the same amount of joy the Danes did at Haverford.
“This whole week helped me ease my nerves for some of my responsibilities.” He finds that as it gets closer and closer, he will be “looking forward to Denmark even more.”
