. tour2011/2012 Performing Arts Newsnotes from Around the World www.acfea.com Amore: Moments That Pacific INSIDE THIS ISSUE 2 Can Change the World Symphony Loma Linda Academy Symphonic Band Allegro 3 Youth Community Edmonton Youth Choir Children’s Choir 3 (director, Orchestra Denver Young Artists Orchestra Christy 4 Elsner) Focuses on Portland toured Symphonic Girlchoir Italy in 5 June, Jonathan Griffith 2011, Here’s proof that patience pays Singers and, while they were off: after eight or so years of 5 gone, kept a tour blog discussion, two conductors Saskatoon following them from Children’s Choir and four orchestra managers, 6 Naples to Rome and back the Pacific Santa Barbara Allegro performs in the Santuario del home. The following was Symphony Youth Choral Society Buon Consiglio in Torre del Greco, Italy posted by Kimberly Stout, Orchestra (from BULGARIA 6 a mother and chaperone, Orange County, Virginia after a concert in Torre del Greco, outside Naples. California) Children’s Chorus Allegro . continued on page 2 embarked on its first tour on 8 June 26, 2011, to the native Mississippi College country of its conductor, Maxim Singers Eshkenazy: Bulgaria. 8 Director Maxim Eshkenazy Greater Middletown ACFEA has arranged several Chorale and PSYO members perform in choir tours to this fascinating 9 Bulgaria Hall, University of Oregon PSYO . continued on page 4 Chamber Choir 10 University of Southern Maine Chamber Singers 11 North America Staff 12 Women in Song 12 Boston Children's Chorus Normandy, Orléans, Chartres Last Minute Save Sends and Paris. They performed at the American Military Cemetery in Normandy, the cloisters of the Abbaye Loma Linda Academy to de la Trinité in Vendôme, Chartres Cathedral and in Paris on June 21 It is always exciting for ACFEA when we work with a group as part of France’s annual Fête de la for the first time, but there was an adrenalin rush added to Musique, an astonishing day on which FRANCE the excitement when we received this email from Giovanni thousands of performances of all Santos, the director of the Loma Linda Academy Symphonic types of music take place around the Band, at 9:40 am on Friday, September 24, 2010: country. “This is my last hope, before having to cancel an international In addition to sightseeing tours of tour. Would it be possible to have a tour planned for June 2011 for 11-13 days, Orléans and Paris, the group enjoyed to France, for $2,850 visiting the Château de Chambord, per person? I need to the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. know ASAP, before this Being a Seventh-day Adventist school, Monday. You probably they had some dietary restrictions and can’t answer, but I limitations on what they could do on thought I should give it a Saturday, and ACFEA was pleased to one last shot.” respect those requirements and help The company with which the group adhere to them. We have he had been working had never before had the opportunity just told him that it could to tell restaurants in France that we not deliver the tour that needed 129 vegetarian meals: there it had been promising, were some raised Gallic eyebrows, and he was faced with but we’re told that it all worked out having to tell his many very well! Loma Linda performs an outdoor concert in the cloisters of high school students that Abbaye de la Trinité in Vendôme, France the trip to which they Only a few weeks after this tour, were so looking forward the group was back in touch with was cancelled. ACFEA loves a challenge, so with some hard work over the us to talk about its 2012 tour, so the weekend and some serious arm-twisting of hotels and airlines, Gio received the effort that we put into saving the proposal he needed at 11:40 am on that Monday. 2011 tour has led to a repeat client and a cherished ongoing relationship Just under nine months later, 129 members of the band, their families and between ACFEA and the Loma supporters enjoyed a varied and rewarding tour of France that encompassed Linda Academy.

Allegro . continued from page 1 I am not normally at a loss for words, match the caliber of Allegro, and them with the most kind words of but I am struggling to choose the the girls experienced this when we how “they were like angels and right way to convey what we felt rehearsed earlier today. However, their music gave us all wings to after performing our first concert. it is taken to another level reach closer to God”, he gave them a when you add an entire church special blessing ”to not only carry on I do not think there are enough the beautiful gift of singing in their words to capture the most beautiful overflowing with people who had lives, but to carry that gift with them experience that we shared at a come with excited anticipation to in their heart always in everything small church in Torre del Greco by see our girls sing. We could all feel they do”. the name of Santuario del Buon the energy from the beginning with Consiglio. Our concert was part of a their warm welcome and singing They also presented us with four-day celebration of the life of from their own local choir, but the several special gifts to take home their past priest who founded the way the night proceeded we could to remember them by. Although orphanage at the church. He died have never imagined. There were appreciated, it was their genuine 50 years ago and they have been moments where my breath was kindness that they expressed in celebrating his life each year. This is a taken away and I could not keep dry everything they had done to receive relatively small community known as eyes, but it was not only me, it was us that we will never forget. They the ‘City of Flowers’. Although they also the perfect strangers who had made us feel like family in Italy! have had many struggles, we come not knowing what they They had prepared a beautiful saw the most positive side of its would hear. reception for all of us after the people tonight. When the girls had finished singing concert to socialize and shared an It is a special thing to be able to sing they were called back to do an amazing picture that they had made in a church where the acoustics encore. After the priest lavished completely from fresh flowers. It

2 Edmonton Youth Bridge Cultural Barriers by Katie Maxfield, Tour Participant rickety old bikes around the city wall hum of Xi’an. We wandered through a arose. CHINA After years of watching my three beautiful bamboo forest and through When we brothers trek all over the world a park in Nanjing in the pouring began to sing with their boychoir, I finally got my rain that refreshed our spirits (and in Chinese, the chance. This July, I our feet). We audience broke into travelled with 25 gorged ourselves applause and continued to applaud choristers in the on 18 varieties after every verse. They clearly loved Edmonton Youth of dumplings at it, and it quickly became one of our Choir to China, a special lunch. favorite songs to perform. where we toured In Shanghai, an for two weeks elevator took us At the end of every concert, audience and performed to the 88th floor members, especially children, would in Beijing, Xi'an, of the Jin Mao clamber onto the stage to take Nanjing, Hangzhou Tower, which photos with choristers. Between and Shanghai. provided a view photos, our choir director was busy over the city that As we adjusted keeping up with the demands for houses 23 million to the 14-hour his autograph on our CDs. At times people. time difference, it felt as if we were the center of we also adjusted We loved not only attention, not only onstage but to life in China, the sightseeing, everywhere we went. From our first including curiously but also the day in Tiananmen Square, we noticed translated signs Edmonton Youth Choir members enjoying concerts, which people surreptitiously taking pictures dinner in Beijing (‘Heart cerebral took place every of us or even in front of us, as if we disease sufferer, second day following afternoon were a tourist attraction. The bolder ascend the Great Wall to please watch rehearsals. One song that deeply ones would ask to take pictures with for’) and ‘squatty potties’ (footprints affected both the choir and the them, sometimes putting their arm and a hole in the ground). We hiked audience was a Chinese folk song, around us in a familiar way. up the steep stairs of the Great Wall, Mo Li Hua (Jasmine Flower Song). After shopping at a gift store one pausing to take pictures of the view This song and even the flower itself and of the Chinese characters carved have recently been suppressed by day, some of my friends and I sang into the stone. Chinese culture and the Chinese government because of O Canada in four-part harmony for symbolism gained new significance their association with the politically the shopkeeper. She clapped and as we walked through the ancient sensitive ‘Jasmine Revolution’ in beamed wordlessly at me and I felt Forbidden City. Most of us rode Tunisia. At our first concert, we were that, despite the language barrier, not sure how the audience would we had somehow become friends. It react. When the song was announced, was little experiences like these that there was more murmuring than we will remember most of all, that has been a tradition each year, but usual, but as the flute began to play through our music on and off the this year it was extra special as they the melody, the concert hall suddenly stage, we became not only tourists, needed nearly 20,000 flowers! The hushed, and then a barely perceptible but ambassadors. picture was of the priest they were celebrating along with Mary and the baby Jesus and it covered an entire IN CONCERT wall. Upon returning to the reception room, we were presented with a cake in our honor and each singer was Denver Young presented a gift. Artists Orchestra When we departed, their choir along Denver Young Artists Orchestra with the priest sang to us as we left has been touring with ACFEA since the church. We felt the love with a 1993 and, in 2011, conducted by capital ‘L’ tonight in so many ways. Jurgen de Lemos, toured Germany and the Czech Republic. During Lori Egan (Allegro Administrator) said its tour the group performed “These are the kind of moments that in Brandenburg cathedral, can change the world.” raising €2,400 (US$3,400) for Tonight the girls realized firsthand the refurbishment of the organ. why it is worth it to invest the time “Great location, wonderful and energy in something larger than audience”, said Peter Hellyer, Executive Director. yourself. It was truly a magical day in Photo courtesy of Marianne Swienink-Havard every way!

3 www.acfea.com Our joint performances Portland Symphonic Girlchoir’s with the Junges GERMANY Vokalensemble Potsdam, the Ninth International Tour is choir from the CZECH REPUBLIC Mittel Schule Pegau, and One of the Best Yet the Dresden Mädchenchor made for delightful by Roberta Q. Jackson music making and gave us the and Debra R. Burgess, opportunity to make new friends Co-Conductors and connect with this unique culture. Finishing in Prague, with its beauty Glorious venues and appreciative and splendor, and singing our final audiences welcomed the Portland concert in St. Nicholas Church in the Symphonic Girlchoir and inspired us Old Town Square, with its stunning to new artistic heights on our recent interior and wonderful acoustics, was tour of Germany and the Czech the perfect end to a fabulous tour, Republic. We shared an eclectic mix one of our best. We will never be of traditional sacred repertoire, the same! world music and examples of American jazz and gospel music with This was our ninth international tour enthusiastic audiences everywhere and fifth consecutive with ACFEA and we performed. once again this company exceeded Portland Symphonic Girlchoir in the our expectations with excellent Thomaskirche in Leipzig, Germany This tour, rich with history and promotion, exciting collaborations beauty, provided lifelong memories and a perfect balance of performing and transformed singing relationships into lasting friendships. Each city and and sightseeing. We appreciated the venue provided special memories. To see the results of the incredible rebuilding attention to detail and personalization of war-ravaged Leipzig and Dresden was breathtaking, yet sobering. Singing of this tour, based on our requests and in the Thomaskirche, Bach’s church, was deeply moving as we experienced the desires, by ACFEA Tour Manager Erin audience’s appreciation by its warm applause ending in a standing ovation. Harlan. Thank you, Erin!

PSYO . continued from page 1 to Plovdiv, an country, but this was our first for ancient city with an orchestra. However, based on a spectacular the great success of this tour, we Roman very much hope that there will amphitheatre, be more in the near future. The in which a small combination of excellent halls, good ensemble from audiences, a variety of sightseeing PSYO gave a opportunities and great value makes short, informal concert. The this a destination worthy of careful main concert consideration by any orchestra. that evening PSYO started its tour in the capital, was in the Sofia. This attractive city, with wide Philharmonic boulevards, plenty of green open Hall, and the spaces and some beautiful churches, crowd was as PSYO performs in the Congress Centre Concert Hall in Varna, Bulgaria was a surprise to some members of enthusiastic as the group who had a drab, Eastern in Sofia the previous day. tour of Bulgaria can be complete European image in their minds. A without a visit to one of Europe’s The next stop was Varna, a flourishing couple of days of rehearsing and most stunning sites, Rila Monastery. resort city on the shores of the Black sightseeing allowed time to recover Just 75 miles south of Sofia, hidden Sea. Once the very non-socialist from the journey and to prepare in the middle of towering mountains for the first concert, held in the playground of the elite of Eastern and with a trout stream running past magnificent Bulgaria Hall, the most Europe, the city is now a popular it, is this architectural, spiritual and prestigious venue in the country. This destination for all tourists. The group aesthetic treasure – absolutely not to concert, like the others on the tour, enjoyed a visit to the Roman baths, a be missed, as the group would was completely sold out, and the performance by a local dance group now testify. and a piano recital before giving their audience (which included the last Tsar Accompanying the main orchestral own concert in the Congress Centre of Bulgaria, His Majesty King Simeon group was a group of patrons: Concert Hall. II of the Bulgarians) responded with supporters of the orchestra who wild enthusiasm, calling for three PSYO returned to Sofia for a festive wanted to share the excitement of encores. Fourth of July celebration before the group’s first tour. With their own The following day featured a run-out flying back to California, but no bus and courier, and an itinerary

4 Jonathan Griffith Singers Tours to its Third Continent

For the Jonathan Griffith Singers’ Symphony Orchestra, sixth ACFEA tour, Maestro Jonathan wonderful local Griffith was looking for somewhere soloists, and audiences new for the choir to explore after of over 1,000 people tours to Europe and China. After at each concert, the many options were considered, South choir could not have America emerged as the been more pleased. perfect destination Said Maestro Griffith, for the singers “Both concerts were from all over the most successful, US and Canada very well received, to gather and and musically perform once fulfilling, especially again. Coming the performance in from a diverse . The array of choirs and church was packed, musical backgrounds, standing room only, these singers look but it was the genuine forward to reuniting Jonathan Griffith Singers performs with the Sinfónica de and sincere response Buenos Aires in the Basílica San José de Flores in Buenos Aires every two years to of the audience present a masterwork following the concert that made it the choir was welcomed to Uruguay with professional so memorable. Many in the audience with a vineyard tour and wine orchestras in world-class venues, and waited and greeted the singers tasting to learn more about one of Uruguay and Argentina presented Uruguay’s top industries. The group one by one as they left the church, opportunities to do just that. also enjoyed a guided sightseeing with tears in their eyes expressing tour of historic Colonia. Of course, The repertoire was to be Mozart’s as best they could the impact of the no visit to Buenos Aires would be Requiem, performed in two music. Many of the singers were complete without a tango show, so fantastic venues: the Teatro similarly moved by the sincerity of the they attended one over dinner. While Solis in , the oldest audience and were also in tears.” many in the group returned home opera house in the Americas, after another successful JGS tour, and the exquisite Basílica While the choir needed plenty of nearly half extended their trip with San José de Flores in Buenos rehearsal time to put together such an excursion to the world-famous Aires. With the outstanding a significant work, the singers still Iguazu Falls on the Argentina- Montevideo Philharmonic managed some sightseeing highlights border, a magnificent way to cap off Orchestra and the Buenos Aires as well. After a long set of flights, their South American experience.

that only overlapped with IN CONCERT the orchestra’s at concerts, this followed the model that groups are increasingly Saskatoon adopting, whereby supporters Children’s and parents can be part of the Choir experience but still have some independence and separation from The Saskatoon the performing group. Since many Children’s Choir was groups add a surcharge to the price honored to perform of these tours, they can also serve as a with the Drakensberg useful fundraising tool. Boys’ Choir during Melissa Craig, Director of Youth Saskatoon’s tour of Ensembles for the Pacific Symphony, South Africa this July. wrote this after the first concert: After spending a day “I have to say, we were quite rehearsing and socializing on Drakensberg’s beautiful school campus nestled stunned with the experience, and the in the mountains, the choirs performed for a very warm and welcoming musicians were equally stunned. We audience. Highlights included the folk songs each choir performed from their received a standing ovation that went home country, including Saskatoon’s performances of the French Canadian from the first row, all the way back to folk song “Ah! Si mon moine voulait danser”, and a joint performance of the very last row upstairs. I’ve never seen such an enthusiastic audience Drakensberg’s signature song, “Tshotsholoza.” for PSYO.”

5 www.acfea.com Santa Barbara Choral Edmonton Society: Fauré to Spain Singing Following the huge success of its Strings 2007 tour of Italy and Germany, the performs in Iglesia Santa Barbara Choral Society (director, SPAIN San Jose del Convento JoAnne Wasserman) decided on Spain de Cayetano in as the destination for its 2011 tour. The Córdoba, Spain combination of world-class cities such as Madrid and Barcelona with smaller, more low-key ones such as Cuenca and Zaragoza, the availability of great venues and enthusiastic audiences, and good value prices made this a sure-fire winner. Looking to perform with an orchestra (as they usually do at home) for at least part of their program, they asked us to hire Spanish instrumentalists for performances of the crowd-pleasing Requiem by Gabriel Fauré. So, two of the concerts (in Cuenca and Barcelona, the latter being recorded) were with professional orchestras, and the other three (in Madrid, Zaragoza and Figueres) were a cappella or

with piano accompaniment. courtesy Swienink-Havard Photo of Marianne Photo courtesy Swienink-Havard Photo of Marianne

Santa Barbara Choral Society performs with the Orquesta de Cámara de la Sinfónica Europea in Barcelona Cathedral Looking to bolster its numbers a little, SBCS invited members of the UC Alumni Chorus and of the choral program at Santa Rosa Junior College to join them, resulting in a musically robust ensemble and the potential for lots of new friendships to be made. The social part of SBCS’s tours is always important, and much care was taken to allow plenty of time to enjoy the magnificent Spanish wine and cuisine in each place. Add to this mix an excursion to Toledo, a visit to the Prado, IN CONCERT sightseeing tours of Madrid, Zaragoza and Barcelona, and an afternoon of Salvador Dalí in Figueres, and the singers came back feeling that they had had a wonderfully full Virginia Children’s Chorus Spanish experience and had given their audiences great The Virginia Children’s Chorus performed musical performances. Carmina Burana in London’s Royal Albert Hall Paul Warner, President of the Santa Barbara Choral Society, in July, 2011. The large chorus, made up of was kind enough to write: “First of all, thanks for all of 1,834 singers from 12 countries, sang under the your work on our behalf regarding the Spain tour. It was direction of the renowned British conductor fabulous! We had a great time singing and touring and we Brian Kay. The concert was a highlight of their really appreciated the Berkeley/Santa Rosa group. tour: “It was a dream to sing with Brian!” They were very good singers, including the kids, and we all blended together after a very short rehearsal. Artistic Director Carol T. Downing said. Again, thanks.”

6 Photo courtesy Swienink-Havard Photo of Marianne

Spiritus Chamber Choir performs in the Eglise du Sacré Coeur Tacoma in Dijon, France Youth Chorus at Chartres Cathedral in France Lawrence Children’s Choir in Whistler, British Columbia, location of many of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games events

7 www.acfea.com Mississippi College Singers Camaraderie Enjoys Joint Concerts, Makes Italy Homestays, Angry Elephants... Magical for GMC by Sarah Pope, Tour Participant by Emily Frye, ACFEA Tour Manager When I signed up to travel to South Africa with my choir, the Mississippi College One Sunday afternoon Singers, I had no idea that my life would be forever changed. Touring through ITALY in April, as I was sitting Johannesburg, the Garden Route, Pilanesberg and Cape Town was like seeing in a church listening four different worlds within one country. The views were breathtaking and the to a performance cultures were dramatically different. by the Greater Middletown We started our tour in Johannesburg. One of the most memorable events Chorale, I of the trip was our joint concert with Michael Dingaan’s choir, the Chamber realized that Choir of South Africa, in the Kwa-Thema Methodist Church, located in one of the group was Johannesburg’s most populous black townships. We learned many traditional going to have an African songs, some sacred and some secular, and performed them with the absolutely wonderful tour of Italy. Chamber Choir. This concert was very emotional for our group, and the love We feel this way often, of course. shown to us by the community was overwhelming. They It is our mission to create life- welcomed us into their homes, where we stayed overnight changing experiences by providing – a truly memorable experience. Despite how tired we opportunities for people to share were from such an eventful concert, we exchanged stories SOUTH their music with the audiences AFRICA with our host families into the early morning. It was such of the world. So much care goes a blessing to see how individuals half a world away live life into planning a tour that by every day. the time we wave goodbye to a When we left Kwa-Thema, we moved on to Pilanesberg National group at the airport, we're over Park where we spent a whole day on safari. Despite being chased by an angry the moon excited for them. elephant, we had such a great time seeing animals that are uncommon to us in And yet, there was something the States. special about this group. They were not only singing From Pilanesberg, we travelled to the Garden Route for more homestays in beautifully, with a thoughtfully George. Just like in Kwa-Thema, we were graciously welcomed into the homes chosen and expertly presented of the members of the Bergsig Dutch Reformed Church. The landscape in repertoire, but there was also George was completely opposite from that of Johannesburg. I can still picture magic in their performance. the wall of majestic mountains surrounding the area and setting a beautiful Magic that made it absolutely backdrop for our adventures to Knysna. clear just how much the From George, we moved on to Cape Town where we spent the rest of our tour. choristers cared about each We performed a joint concert with the Pro Cantu Youth Choir and the University other and the music they of Cape Town Choir on the university’s campus. On our final night, we travelled were making. to Table Mountain, overlooking the city lights of Cape Town. It was such a Then it dawned on me: the magic special night for our group as we reminisced about the truly life-changing trip they had was an advanced level we had. of camaraderie and togetherness, the exact kind that groups usually With each passing day we said, ‘Tomorrow can’t possibly be better than today.‘ develop when they travel together. We were wrong. Each day surpassed the one before. I will never forget my They wouldn't get on the plane for adventures in South Africa and will forever be grateful to those who made another month, but in a way they it possible. were already on tour. Italy was going to be a dream. Mississippi College Singers on top of Table Mountain, overlooking Cape Town, South Africa Looking at the itinerary, that was already obvious. GMC was slated to perform formal concerts in three fantastic venues: the Chiesa San Marcello al Corso in the heart of Rome, the Chiesa San Stefano al Ponte Vecchio in the center of Florence, and Abano Terme’s beautiful Duomo San Lorenzo, an intimate setting outside Venice. The group rounded out its singing with a mass participation in Venice’s Basilica di San Marco, one of the most famous and iconic religious

8 spaces in the world. In addition to the performances, they would be treated to Italy’s gorgeous landscapes, University of Oregon stunning history and legendary cuisine. Chamber Choir Takes Top So what happens when you take a FINLAND group that already sings with perfect Honors at Tallinn Festival esprit de corps on tour? An interview with Sharon Paul, Director The levels of musicianship, the ESTONIA abundance of joy and the amount University of Oregon Chamber Choir of sheer fun increase exponentially. In other words, the magic gets even What made you choose Finland and Estonia for your choir’s tour? better! We had been invited to audition for the Estonian choral competition by the “The GMC‘s camaraderie fully Artistic Director of the festival, Hirvo Surva, after he worked with the Chamber blossomed and relationships between Choir at the U of O in the fall of 2009. I had toured to Estonia twice before (in people deepened through what 1990 and 1991, both times with ACFEA), and wanted my singers to experience we experienced and through the the passion the Estonian people have for choral singing throughout their music we made. Witnessing (and culture. participating in) this throughout the entire tour was the most rewarding part for me, and the greatest blessing,” Joseph D’Eugenio, Greater Middletown Chorale’s Artistic Director and Conductor, wrote to me when they arrived home.

University of Oregon Chamber Choir in the Church of St. John in Tartu, Estonia What were the main highlights of the tour? We had so many highlights! Certainly everything surrounding the Tallinn International Choir Festival was a highlight, from performing at the opening night concert, to the three rounds of competitions, to hearing so many wonderful choirs from around the world, and especially being called to the stage twice to perform at the awards ceremony because we took top honors Greater Middletown Chorale performs in the Duomo San Lorenzo in Abano Terme, Italy in two categories. My students loved the informal time with the singers from around the world, sharing common repertoire (singing into the wee hours of “To see people who I love so much, the night!), learning of amazing new repertoire, and sharing their passion for and whose presence I am so grateful for in my life, immerse themselves in choral music with people from such a wide variety of places such as Norway, the wonders of a beautiful place and Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Sweden, Iceland and more. in the best of each other is simply Did you choose repertoire for the Tallinn International Choir Festival that was miraculous and a joy. Our GMC truly is different from what the students are used to performing? Did you prepare a special family, one that you, as well as all those who helped organize any differently? and participated in it, are part of The U of O is on the quarter system, so we often feel pressed for time now too.” in preparing our concerts. It was great to work on the repertoire for the Getting to know the Greater competition over a longer period of time than just ten weeks. The music we Middletown Chorale truly does feel prepared was not so different from what we normally explore, although the like becoming a part of a family, and compulsory piece for the Chamber Choir competition, Rautavaara‘s Credo, was a I was honored to do so. And as they piece I had not been familiar with. proved, tour preparations aren’t just about learning the music and How did you overcome the cultural differences? knowing what to pack. They're about The people in Estonia and Finland were so warm and welcoming, it was not hard how a group comes together as an to overcome any cultural differences, although occasionally we felt challenged ensemble and how they emotionally decoding the symbols on the public restroom doors and hoped we picked the prepare for the life-changing experiences ahead. right one!

9 www.acfea.com Southern Maine in Southern Spain Office Locations New York by Amanda Bauman, ACFEA Tour Manager faces of those around me San Francisco in this space so mysterious Seattle One of the most rewarding moments – I could tell what every Bairnsdale, Australia in a tour manager’s job is when a group student was thinking: SPAIN Berlin you know comes to you and says, “Where “Wow! I get to do this. I should we go next?” Oh, the possibilities! get to be here. And that Bucharest In May, the University of Southern Maine is amazing.” George, South Africa Chamber Singers, directed by Dr. Robert Guadalajara, Mexico Russell, embarked on its fourth ACFEA tour, and the From then on, I could rest Hong Kong beginning of the process started just like that. Southern easy knowing we made London the right choice, knowing Maine had already been to Italy, Central and Eastern Rättvik, Sweden Europe and the British Isles. The students are a vibrant, that this tour was, without doubt, the ideal tour for Shanghai curious, close-knit group, who enjoy spending time St. Petersburg together as much as they love performing. Having seen this group. At the choir’s Vicenza, Italy them perform a few times before, I knew firsthand they concert the next night, I were also very talented musicians whose focus and energy chose my space and dug can turn a great venue into a true sonic experience. I knew into the program. They Overseas Staff I was looking for a region with great acoustic spaces, a performed the entire & Representatives lot of history (both musical and general) and above all – concert in a near-circle Nick Abbott Sales Manager, Europe maximum FUN potential. Then I knew: Southern Spain. formation, having enjoyed it so much earlier. At Dan Bucur Southern Maine in Southern Spain. It had such a nice a Regional Representative, Romania one point, alto Rebecca ring to it! Andrew Cheung Garthoff came forward Artistic Consultant, Hong Kong Once ruled by the Islamic Empire, who called the region for a solo on In the Cool Helen David Al-Andalus, present-day Andalucía still shows off its of the Day. This young, Operations Manager, London Moorish past, boasting some of the most spectacular slight, unassuming, former Eleanor Etherington and fascinating architecture Operations Manager, London Sylvia Garcia Marin in all of Europe. It went from Manager, Latin America being dominated by Christians, Tony Hastings to being ruled by Muslims, and Projects Manager, Europe back to being Christian again. Robert Latimer The result is a stunning, often Manager, Australia and New Zealand Clare Lawrence overlapping mix of Arab and Regional Representative Coptic aesthetics. That mélange France and Spain lends an air of mystery to its Elfriede Leimer-Rizzotti streets, which are lined with Regional Representative, Italy orange trees and café tables, Anders Lindstrom and this, combined with its to- Regional Representative die-for cuisine (garlic shrimp, Scandinavia Kirsten Mackay chorizo and croquettes, oh my!), Assistant Operations Manager its laid-back Mediterranean vibe, London extraordinarily resonant venues, Pieter Myburgh Manager, South Africa and its relative obscurity as a University of Southern Maine Chamber Singers performs in Alina Peretti concert tour destination made Iglesia San Jose del Convento de Cayetano in Córdoba, Spain Regional Representative, this the obvious choice. Sue Peter Regional Representative, Germany But along with the excitement comes some anxiety. How spelling bee champion Poppy Savage will this tour compare with their last three? Can we deliver opened her mouth and Operations Manager, London again? I was so curious, I joined the group in Spain to see let out one of the most Richard Savage for myself! I arrived one afternoon in Córdoba, as the amazingly rich vocals I’ve Managing Director of ACFEA Europe singers were getting ready to go on a sightseeing tour of heard in a long time. In Jeff Sha Manager, China the town. The tour began in the Mezquita, a historical the last ten years, I’ve Becky Shaftoe site that has made many must-see-before-you-die lists. been moved by dozens General Manager of Operations It is a city-block-sized structure, consisting of thousands of groups at dozens of London concerts all over the world, Tassos Strikos of Moorish arches, surrounding a shockingly baroque Regional Representative, Greece Catholic church. It was like nothing I had ever seen. Never and still, I was rapt. As a Charlotte Toms a group to miss an opportunity, the choir circled up and lone tear trickled down my Operations Manager, London sang through Durufle’s Ubi Caritas, sampling the acoustics. beaming face, I thought to Olga Yemelyanova I joined the altos in the circle and was instantly reminded myself: “Wow! I get to do Regional Representative, Russia of the perfection of these moments. Singing this simple this. I get to be here. And For short bios, please visit motet, in the round, looking at the focus and awe in the that is amazing.” www.acfea.com/staff.php

10 North America Staff

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Rachel Flamm and life-changing (800) 627-2141 experiences. (425) 776-3273 123 Second Avenue South Suite 105 Edmonds, WA 98020 NEW YORK [email protected]

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Amanda Bauman Emily Frye (800) 886-6995 (718) 302-5600 Hugh Davies Christa Tumlinson 177 N. 10th St., Suite H Brooklyn, NY 11211 (800) 886-2055 [email protected] (415) 453-6619 777 Grand Avenue, Suite 206 San Rafael, CA 94901 [email protected] Unseen but Indispensable… AMANDA BAUMAN RACHEL FLAMM CHRISTA TUMLINSoN The Tour Managers are ACFEA’s is a Tour Manager in the New is a Tour Manager in the Seattle is a Tour Manager in the San front line, but there are many York office. An Ohio native, she office. Originally from the Francisco office. She has a degree others in our organization who performed with the Cleveland Chicago area, Rachel sang with in Music from California State make our tours happen. We Orchestra Chorus before receiving the Palatine Children’s Chorus for University, Fullerton where she gratefully acknowledge the 14 years, including touring with studied voice in classical and jazz her degree in Music Education mighty efforts of: from Duquesne University, in them throughout North America styles. She grew up in Kansas, Pittsburgh. There she was a and Europe. She graduated where she was involved with Bill Barber with a degree in Music from children’s choirs. In Southern member of symphonic and jazz Group Travel Manager bands, as well as the Chamber Carleton College in Minnesota. At California, Christa taught voice, Singers, with whom she toured Carleton, Rachel played clarinet piano, choir and musical theater. Christine McLaughlin Europe on an ACFEA concert and conducted and managed the She has also sung professionally Business Manager tour. Amanda currently sings with Carleton Choirs on tours to Los with choirs, jazz bands and and serves on the board of the Angeles and New Orleans. Rachel orchestras in the Los Angeles area. Greg Newell Young New Yorkers’ Chorus. Her has also traveled throughout Christa’s travels include tours with Marketing Manager Europe, Mexico, China, South choirs to Germany and Eastern travels have included excursions Ken Olson to Europe, Australia, Africa and Africa, Israel and Jordan. She Europe. She is currently singing Central and South America. currently sings with the Northwest with Volti, the award-winning Operations Manager Chamber Chorus. professional chamber ensemble Andrew Oom HUGH DAVIES dedicated to the performance of Special Projects Coordinator is Managing Director of ACFEA EMILY FRYE new vocal music. North America, based in the is a Tour Manager in the New York David Wert San Francisco office. Born in office. She grew up in Missouri, Finance and Operations England, he has a master’s where she sang with the St. Louis Administrator degree from Cambridge, where Children’s Choir for nine years, he sang at King’s College under including on tours to Russia and Sir David Willcocks. Hugh sang Scotland. Emily received degrees professionally in Europe, including in Music and Magazine Journalism with the Monteverdi Choir, before from Drake University, during teaching music in Australia. He which time she traveled to Paris now performs as a soloist and with for a study abroad program and several professional ensembles toured Europe with the university’s in the Bay Area, and serves on choir. She is currently singing with the boards of the American Bach the Pasadena Master Chorale. Soloists and Chorus America.

11 www.acfea.com Boston Children’s Chorus: This is Really What it’s All About

Alison Gifford is a Dear ACFEA, retired grammar I just wanted to say how fantastic the school music Boston Children’s Chorus’ concert was the teacher in UNITED other night in Glasgow – I was absolutely KINGDOM Glasgow, blown away. Everything was superb Scotland, – the singing, the concentration, the who had commitment, and the sheer joy of them. April 18-21, 2013 . Tucson, Arizona the chance It was a privilege to be there. We were all impressed with their behaviour, general Lynn Gackle, Artistic Director to hear one of Steve Stevens, Festival Director ACFEA’s groups, the Boston organisation and discipline. The young Children’s Chorus, directed people were a credit to themselves and to Hosted by by Anthony Trecek-King, on everyone who has been working with Southern Arizona Women's Chorus them – real ambassadors for Terrie Ashbaugh, Artistic Director their country. Join us in sunny Tucson for a The repertoire was perfect – a weekend of music making, great mix of serious, fun, old celebrating the art and and new. Please tell them how achievements of women’s great the choir was, what a choruses and singers. wonderful job Mr. Trecek-King The festival package includes: is doing, and how the lives of these young people are being • Two concerts including a gala transformed not just by the massed choir concert and a concert musical skills they are getting, and showcasing individual choirs Boston Children’s Chorus with Depot Arts at St. Bride’s Episcopal Church what they are learning from the • Three nights' accommodation in a in Glasgow, Scotland text and background of the music, but the first class hotel friendships, the social skills and personal • Welcome and farewell receptions its recent tour of the United confidence they are gaining through plus one dinner Kingdom. Alison’s experience these experiences. • Massed choir rehearsals and prompted her to send us her I've been a chorister since I was a teenager optional vocal workshops thoughts and thanks, and we can truly say that we glowed. too, and my life has been so enriched by • Special events for directors of what I learned from singing, the people participating choirs Not only because of the beaming pride we feel when I’ve met, the places I've been, and the • All massed choir sheet music events I've taken part in. Of course, I never one of our groups receives realised it at the time, but looking back, • CD recording of the final concert such heartfelt accolades, my life would have been so much less rich which in this case are both “The festival was top notch, attested without singing, and it was a treat for me to by a constant feeling of musical and philosophical, to see these young people well on their accomplishment and elation.” but also because this letter way to finding what I found through music Bonny Milne reminded us all of something making. “It was like a vacation for the soul.” more profound: Glenda Smith Thank you too for all your organisation and This is what it’s all about. arrangements. Everything went according $ 998 per person based on As Tour Managers, it’s our job to plan, and without a hitch. I hope the double occupancy to operate tours, but it’s our rest of their tour goes well. It was a delight Airfare available on request mission to create inspirational to have them and we’d be happy to have opportunities for our groups. them back again! For more information: Thank you, Alison, for Best regards, Call (800) 627-2141 reminding us how powerful Email: [email protected] these moments can be. Alison Gifford

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