Members of the school band of Hauptschule Innenstadt in Tübingen

Opening a Music Window to America
February 19, 2008. At Hauptschule Innenstadt Tübingen, Consul General Jo Ellen Powell introduced the "Windows on America" program to members of the school band and their parents. Hauptschule Innenstadt was selected by the U.S. Embassy to participate in the program initiated in 2006 by Ambassador William R. Timken Jr. and his wife Sue Timken. "Windows on America" is a public-private partnership that provides opportunities for students of immigrant backgrounds who have been underrepresented in traditional exchange programs between the United States and Germany. The students travel to the United States for a ten-day trip, visiting American cities such as New York, Washington, DC, and Charlotte, North Carolina. While on their trip, the students are exposed to all aspects of American culture, school, and life by visiting American museums and monuments, touring American high schools, and participating in home stays with American families.

The evening program was opened by school director Fritz Sperth followed by the latest song of the school band "No prejudice." Tübingen Lord Mayor Boris Palmer congratulated the Hauptschule Innenstadt and the students for this chance to travel to the United States to experience the country first-hand. Consul General Powell emphasized how impressed she is by the work of the school and the quality of the school band, and explained the details of the program. Maja Lutterbei of Experiment e.V., whose sister organization World Learning puts together the program in the United States, spoke about their role in organizing pre-departure briefings as well as the program in the U.S. and the stays in the host families. Members of the school band are currently handing in their applications and are scheduled to travel to the United States April 24- May 5, 2008.