It may be autumn, but Dwightees are already thinking about their summer 2015 plans - which is why information sessions were held this past week for three of the five D-E International offerings, as well as a special U.K. trip for the Upper School Orchestra and Chorus.

Two of these trips will be in the Americas, while the other four take place in Europe. This summer’s 8th grade opportunity will be a trip to Ecuador, from June 15-25, with 8th grade Math/Science faculty member Jonathan Egan - who happens to be a seasoned Ecuador student trip leader. From July 17-31, Upper Schoolers are invited to trek to Oaxaca, Mexico, with Middle School Spanish teacher Aldo Bautista - and can learn more about this trip during its Family Info Night on Nov. 19.

The ever-popular D-E in Spain will be traveling to Salamanca for the 19th year this summer. This opportunity for students in grades 9-12 takes place June 25-July 29, where they will study at the Universidad de Salamanca and also travel to Madrid, Segovia, Andalucia, and Portugal.

A tour of Italy will be offered from July 6-21 for students in grades 9-12, led by Language Department Chair Diana Stone and Upper School Latin teacher Bill Biondolino.

For the last three years, D-E students and faculty have been participating in the World Challenge, having traveled to Peru, Ecuador and South Africa for a trip filled with acclimatization, service, trekking and rest & relaxation. The destination for the fourth World Challenge trip is Iceland, and from July 11-19, up to 14 students in grades 10-12 will work on the conservation of the natural resources of the “Land of Fire and Ice.”

For more information on the above D-E International trips, visit d-e.org/international.

And as for the Upper School Orchestra, they are returning to London after having first visited in 2011 - this time around, however, the Upper School Chorus will be joining them. This trip is a result of a collaboration with St. Dominic’s Sixth Form College, whose choir of 10 female voices stopped by D-E earlier this month to perform for the Middle and Upper Schools. These students also stayed with several D-E families during their visit, so this June, St. Dominic’s is gearing up to return the favor. The school has invited D-E to perform and spend time with their students for three days starting June 8. As Performing Arts Chair and Orchestral Director John Littlefield explains, “Their school year goes later than ours, so they will still be in session. We will perform at least one concert there in conjunction with their orchestra and chorus. Our students will also have a chance to shadow their student hosts in classes to get a sense of what it is like to be a student in England.”

Other stops during their U.K. trip include York - for yet another concert with student musicians there - and then Edinburgh, Scotland, for one last student-collaboration concert. “Edinburgh is a very cultural city with a remarkable history,” says Mr. Littlefield. “Either in Edinburgh or London we will have an opportunity to see and hear a professional orchestra perform.

“It is exciting to me to be able to share what we do musically at Dwight-Englewood with the world. This will be the first time we’re taking a vocal ensemble overseas with the orchestra, and adding this dimension has long been a dream of mine. This trip will also provide an opportunity for all our students to experience the English and Scottish historical setting and be inspired by musicians of their own age from that region of the world. Conversely, the St. Dominic's students having visited us and seen our American culture already have already built friendships with some of us and have an understanding of where we are coming from as they share their world with us. It will bring this experience full circle. Music is an international language that crosses all boundaries and opens doors and we will undoubtedly make more new friends. Who knows - we may discover another sister/brother school in Scotland as well.”