. tour2008/2009 Performing Arts notesNews from Around the World www.acfea.com Turkish Delight Our goal is to provide Washington and Lee Chamber Singers Tour of Turkey unique opportunities for memorable and life- changing experiences. Under the direction of Gordon Spice, the Chamber Singers from Washington and Lee As highlighted in this newsletter, ACFEA arranges University embarked on a tour to Turkey customized performing in April. During the week-long tour, the arts tours throughout the choir performed three concerts to large and world. From life-changing appreciative audiences, joined forces with a performances in Scandanavia to homestays in Australia, Turkish university choir to learn Turkish songs ACFEA can make it happen. and teach American spirituals, and even While we were only able performed live on television. to include a few of our tours in the newsletter, The group began its trip in the bustling we wish to express our colorful capital of Ankara. On their first sincere thanks to all of night, the group members were treated to the groups that toured Washington and Lee Chamber Singers at Topkapi Palace a traditional Turkish kebab dinner – and a in Istanbul with us this year. passion for Turkish food was ignited! This was satisfied throughout the trip by many diverse 2 culinary experiences, from charcoal-grilled Empire State St. Louis Youth Orchestra meats with juicy peppers, to baklava pastries 2 dripping with honey, to the thick, aromatic Children’s Choir Ottawa Choral Society and extremely strong Turkish coffee. 2 A workshop had been arranged with choral Cantare Con Vivo students from Gazi University in Ankara, Tour of Australia 4 who helped Washington and Lee perfect Cornelia Connelly the traditional Turkish piece Suda Balik written by Barbara Berner, Artistic Director High School Oynuyor. In each performance given on tour, Women’s Ensemble We were very pleased with the quality of members of the audience had tears of joy in 5 ACFEA’s planning for our Australian tour. The their eyes when this piece was performed. music-making and educational aspects were Tacoma Youth Chorus That evening, Washington and Lee had the everything we hoped that they would be. 6 opportunity to sing in the Gazi University Our Australian courier (travel guide) Robert Photo Montage concert hall to a packed audience, who loved Latimer is an absolutely delightful gentleman 6 their international repertoire and were awed who took diligent and thoughtful care of our Colorado by their interpretation of the Turkish music. every need. Another wonderful thing about Children’s Chorale Rob is that he used to be a high school vice- 7 Washington and Lee . continued on page 3 principal, so he is very experienced in working Vox Femina Los Angeles with young people. We love the fact that he 8 learned the names of all the students! Idaho State University We started our visit gently as we transitioned Chamber Choir to the new time zone. Our itinerary included 9 time in the beach town of Surfers Paradise, Sacramento with a stop along the way at Lone Pine Children’s Chorus 10 Sanctuary to see kangaroos, native birds, and koalas. After a couple of days of fun in Worldwide Staff the sun, we drove into the city of Brisbane 11 and had a great workshop with Australian North America Staff composer Stephen Leek and a joint concert 12 with the Brisbane Birralee Voices before 2009 Alaska an appreciative audience of parents, local Choral Cruise St. Louis Children’s Choir in front of the Sydney Opera House St. Louis . continued on page 4 Crossing the Bridge Cantare Con to Understanding Vivo Chorale

When a group begins the tour planning process, one of the most important questions posed is: “Why tour?” Some groups tour to perform in the great Enchanted cathedrals and halls of Europe. Some tour to increase their profile abroad, while others wish to benefit the communities they visit through philanthropy or in Europe volunteerism. A number of groups tour to enjoy the cultural benefits provided by exchanges with local musicians and interact with people of their same age written by David Morales, and interests while increasing camaraderie within the group. Without any Artistic Director doubt, the Empire State Youth Orchestra of Schenectady, New York, achieved all of these goals and more. This past June, ACFEA provided a life- changing experience for 74 singers The group’s second ACFEA tour was a long time coming – eight years after its (112 people in all) from Cantare Con first tour. Because the group had such fond memories of its 2000 tour of Central Europe, it decided to create a similar tour Vivo’s Chorale, through our journey in 2008, which would include Eisenach, to Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Prague and Salzburg. An orchestra of Brno and Prague. In addition to our around 90 young players, ESYO had standing-room-only concerts, we dreams of playing for the second time were able to fulfill our goal for a very in the famous Mozarteum in Salzburg special international collaboration for its final concert. After a successful of Ernest Bloch’s Avodat HaKodesh application process, the concert was (Sacred Service), geared towards confirmed for the last night of the tour. the Jewish community. ACFEA took After the concert, one student said, “I the challenge, searched each city enjoyed playing in the Mozarteum for its and landed us an unforgettable beauty, for its great audience, and for it experience. We performed Sacred being the hall where I experienced the Service with Zemlinsky’s Psalm 13 ESYO at the Mozarteum in Salzburg greatest concert of my life.” This concert, at the group’s request, was a benefit for in the historic symphony hall in the local charity, Hilfswerk, an organization that provides in-home care to seniors Bratislava, accompanied by the in Austria. The concert raised over $10,000 for the cause. professional Bohuslav Martinu˚ Symphony Orchestra from the Czech Because of the group’s high performance level, ACFEA had no problem Republic, and with baritone Martin organizing a concert for them in the prestigious Dvor˘ák Hall of the Rudolfinum in Prague. Chaperone John Spinelli had the following to report: “Imagine a concert by a group of teenagers in one of the most beautiful concert halls in the world, with acoustics so perfect you could hear every single section of the 3 out of 3 orchestra individually and yet still have them blend perfectly. Then imagine the 800-plus seat hall filled to near capacity by an appreciative and discerning crowd for ACFEA and of local Czech music lovers giving thunderous applause for one of the most Ottawa Choral Society amazing performances in the history of ESYO.” While the Mozarteum and Dvor˘ák Hall were musical highlights, one cannot The Ottawa Choral Society has discount the other gratifying experiences that ESYO had while on tour. They been on three tours of Europe since took home amazing memories from Germany, where they had the exciting 1996, and ACFEA is pleased to have opportunity to perform a joint concert with the members of the local student arranged them all: orchestra, Cappella Juventa. “The concert was advertised all over town, and the kids played to a full house. We were told that at least 50 people were turned 1996, directed by Iwan Edwards, away at the door after all the seats were filled” Spinelli said. Additionally, to Germany and the Czech Republic friendships within the group were formed or strengthened, something that 2000, directed by Daniel Gordon, regularly happens on tour. Clarinetist Rebecca Kurtz explained it best when she to Britain and Ireland said, “Orchestra is where you meet people – a double-decker bus is where they become your friends!” 2008, directed by Matthew Larkin, to Italy The theme and title of ESYO’s tour was ‘Bridge to Understanding‘, named after a commissioned piece by German native and New York resident, Sam Adler, that The latest, involving 50 singers and the group performed on tour. It seems to all of us at ACFEA that the orchestra 25 friends and family, visited three was able to embody that concept every step of the way. ESYO violinist Helen of the most spectacular cities in Italy: Rowe summed it up, saying “this tour changed my life and gave me, as well as Venice, Florence and Rome. Even some amazing performance opportunities, a whole new perspective on lifestyles though economics dictated that the and traditions in different countries.” time in each city be limited, the group

2 Flow) in the Czech Republic. For us, Washington and Lee . continued from page 1 the ultimate act of performing is freely giving away that which we have come Many audience members took videos to discover to be of great beauty. We which were later posted on YouTube, now have a lifetime of memories from making the choir feel famous! our efforts to connect with those who Local fame did not stop there, as call this part of our shared world their Washington and Lee were also invited home. for an interview on TV8 Channel, Travel and hotel arrangements, shared one of Turkey’s national television meals, city tours and other outings stations. They performed a few songs were very well thought through and from their repertoire for the Morning Cantare Con Vivo in the Basilica of organized, allowing us to appreciate St. Margaret in Jaromerice nad Rokytnou Program Live, reaching hundreds the splendor that each unique of thousands of listeners, with Mikuš from Slovakia. The event was environment presented without translations provided by their sponsored in part by the United worrisome distractions. If that was much-adored and ever-enthusiastic States Embassy and served as a not enough, our two couriers were ACFEA couriers, Ilker and Altug. fundraiser for the Slovak Cancer magnificent in handling the myriad Research Charity, raising over 32,000 details that accompany moving over Travelling on to Bursa and Istanbul, Slovak crowns ($1,600). Through a hundred people through four the choir members were eager to this grand performance, we deeply countries and offered a daily clinic in explore the silk markets, relax in connected with a passionately diverse how best to lead us with an authority the Turkish baths and see the nearly undergirded with grace, patience, populace, displaying the positive social 1,500-year-old Hagia Sophia. They tireless energy, lots of humor and agenda that exemplifies the power also visited Topkapi Palace, housing genuine compassion. of music making, which is essential in the treasures of the Ottoman Empire, today’s dramatically changing world. We now have returned no doubt a including the 86-carat Spoonmaker’s better choir, and better people. As Diamond, the Emerald Dagger and Through our other tour concerts, we individuals, we now must work to bejewelled caskets brimming over were able to touch the hearts of our assess what we learned and how we with gemstones. A concert given in listeners, performing repertoire well might apply that to our respective the spacious new concert hall in the suited to the lovely acoustics of each lives. ACFEA served us well in making University of Anadolu in Eskisehir˛ setting. Our audiences were immensely our goals achievable and enabling us again drew a large and admiring appreciative, at times having tears in to discover above and beyond what audience, and the final concert to a their eyes as they joined in singing we had imagined. As director, I could packed house in the Caddebostan Tecˇe Voda, Tecˇe (Waters Ripple and not have asked for more. Cultural Centre in Istanbul was another highlight. managed to accomplish all the most ACFEA sees The tour was important activities: sightseeing, free our couriers rounded off with time, meals – and concerts. – those a truly memorable people farewell dinner The concerts were in spectacular with you 24 under the venues in each city: the Basilica San hours a day light of the full Giovanni e Paolo in Venice (“The – as being moon in a church was beautiful as were the restaurant acoustics. It was well attended and critical to overlooking received”), the Chiesa di Santo the success Stefano al Ponte Vecchio in Florence of a tour, the mighty Ottawa Choral Society in (“Church was lovely. The concert was and we Bosphorus Straits. spend the Basilica San Giovanni e well attended and well received”) Paolo in Venice With so much culture and so many much time and the Chiesa San Marcello al Corso new experiences to take in, one week recruiting, training and reviewing in Rome (“Venue was lovely. Again always seems too short. Many tears them. It was very gratifying to read the concert was well attended and were shed at the airport as each from Andi Murphy, the group’s received”). The first two concerts singer left with memories that will were a cappella, featuring music by tour manager, that “Both Patricia surely remain for years to come. In Vaughan Williams (including the and Alicia were professional, their own words, Washington and Lee Mass in G Minor), Bruckner and knowledgeable, and committed to had the “best choir tour in 35 years” Larkin; the one in Rome was with our group. They were always one step – perhaps some explanation as to why orchestra and consisted of four works ahead of our activities, planning for ACFEA receives an ever-increasing by Mozart: his ‘Coronation’ Mass, the next rehearsal, the next city or the Regina Coeli, Sancta Maria Mater Dei next wake-up call. It was a pleasure number of inquiries about touring in and Ave Verum Corpus. working with both of them.” this fascinating region.

3 www.acfea.com the audience with “Ni hao” and show Cornelia Connelly Tours China our gratitude by saying “Xie xie.” We had broken the language barrier, and written by Emily Pankau, Tour Participant the Chinese people responded with gales of laughter and much applause. On July 16, 2008, the Cornelia Connelly High School Advanced Women’s Ensemble, directed by Brian Dehn, was on its way to Beijing, China. We arrived Our next stop was beautiful on a hot, muggy night, but our wonderful couriers Tony and Jeff quickly got us Hangzhou, where we took a boat ride into an air-conditioned bus. After a brief welcome reception, which included on the breathtaking West Lake. Our cookies and our trusty couriers telling us the events for the next day, we all fell concert that night was a joint concert into bed. with the Hangzhou Philharmonic Our first day was incredible. We went to two famous landmarks: the Great Wall Angel Choir. None of us could believe and the Temple of Heaven. Getting to sing on the Great Wall was an experience how spectacular these young singers we are not likely to forget. were. Taking pictures and receiving After this exciting adventure, small gifts from the Chinese children we were given our first taste after the concert was an amazing of Chinese cuisine. While we global experience. were perplexed by the size of our plates, we quickly learned Shanghai showed us one of the how to take full advantage of most awe-inspiring skylines we had the Lazy Susan and the many ever seen. Our last concert in this dishes piled upon it. While some historic country was met with an of us struggled with chopsticks unexpected obstacle. The electricity at first, we were handling them in the university we were supposed like pros by the end of our tour. We also learned that if none of to sing in went out, but our brilliant courier Jeff arranged for us to sing in the tantalizing Chinese dishes Cornelia Connelly performs at the Great Wall appealed to our liking, there a different building that day, and he was the trusty, ever-present watermelon at the end. made sure there were buses to take the audience and all of us to the new Our remaining time in Beijing included a tour of the historic Tiananmen Square location. We couldn’t have asked for and the newly refurbished Forbidden City, a trip to the Summer Palace and a scrumptious Peking duck dinner. We also had two major performances: in the anyone more wonderful than him and Olympic Square and the Central Conservatory. We were amazed by the 500 our other incredibly knowledgeable Chinese people who came to support us. At the time we thought this was a and personable courier, Tony. phenomenon, but we continued to draw in hundreds of audience members at While there are so many memories we our subsequent concerts. can take away from this experience, We arrived in Xi’an after a short plane ride. Our first day in this walled city we I think my most wonderful memory saw the Big Goose Pagoda, which sustained some wear and tear during one of actually came in the airport on China’s most recent earthquakes. The next day, we were all taken aback by the the last day. As I was hugging Jeff enormity of the famous Terra-Cotta Warriors. The icing on top of the cake was goodbye, he said to me, “You have meeting the farmer who had discovered the soldier statues. the most beautiful voice I have ever After Xi’an we took another short flight to Nanjing. The city houses a wonderful heard.” I was able to spread my shopping bazaar and a beautiful concert hall. By our third performance, we had gift to someone who lives half a our concert routine down. After intermission, our Chinese emcee Tony would world away from me; to me there is ask the audience if they thought we knew any Chinese. We would then greet nothing more amazing than that.

St. Louis . continued from page 1 their repertoire, which included the homestay families they were all premiere of a new piece by their smiles and told us about the beautiful music teachers, and people from the composer in residence. The concert homes, delicious home-cooked meals, community. was recorded at the studios of the and the tender-loving care that We then flew from Brisbane down Australian Broadcasting Company they enjoyed with their new to Sydney and stayed at a beautiful and will be heard on a classical radio Australian friends. program entitled “Rising Stars” this fall. youth hostel with a spectacular view We visited Nagle College in Bairnsdale of the ocean. Lots of local choirs A definite highlight of the trip was and worked with its small choir, which and bands as well as community and the time we spent in Bairnsdale, is in the rebuilding stage with a new church groups hold retreats there so which is the hometown of our tour music teacher. We taught them various we felt like we got to live alongside guide, Robert. We had homestays warm-ups, and then they taught us some Australians. We sang a joint with families from Robert’s church. an Aboriginal song. Concert Choir concert with the Sydney Children’s When the choir members came back Choir. We really enjoyed hearing together after time spent with their St. Louis . continued on page 5

4 and, above all, bringing their music Reflections on A European Tour to the basilicas, churches, gardens, cathedrals and castles where they written by Nancy Brakke, Managing Director, Tacoma Youth Chorus were met with cheers of bravo and tears for the hearts they touched. And Our adventure to Europe really began eighteen months before the plane through all these shared experiences, left. Our staff gathered around a table, discussed the pros and cons of various they learn to rely upon one another destinations, the length of our stay, the kinds of educational experiences we and share money, worries, jokes, wanted for our young people and who might serve as chaperones. Cities like frustrations and triumphs. They Budapest, Prague and Salzburg were just names learned in geography classes at grow enormously as they successfully that point. traverse many foreign experiences The months went by and all the groundwork was carefully laid to ensure a and understand the power of the safe and meaningful journey. Hours were spent on the details that were about music they brought to share. to come to life in a fourteen-day My personal joy was watching trip. We held our final rehearsals, these ordinary-appearing teenagers our potluck dinner with families transformed into this professional, and our exquisite Bon Voyage dignified and disciplined ensemble concert. Then came the early that lifted their voices into one morning check-in at the airport: glorious sound and strummed the lots of excitement, a few nerves, heartstrings of all who could hear confidences bolstered by clinging to them. They are simultaneously so friends and chaperones hovering to proud of themselves and yet so make sure all is well. A few humble about their abilities. hours later, we were all on our way and settled in for the long The lasting gift in this journey is not flight to Europe. only the music that will resound in many hearts and minds beyond Our courier, Tassos, met us in my own, but it is that these young Tacoma Youth Chorus at St. Stephen’s Basilica Budapest as we exited customs. in Budapest people grew into world citizens on Later he remarked that he could this journey. Their success in handling tell from the first moment that we were a group he would enjoy, a feeling that passports, foreign languages, became mutual over the next two weeks. Traveling with a group of 53 singers currencies, foods and customs has and 7 adults means that every transition takes time, from loading and unloading empowered them to move beyond luggage, to checking in to hotels and airports, or being seated in restaurants or their previous boundaries. They will changing clothes for a concert. It requires patience, organization and efficiency. never hear about an event in Prague, Overall, the groundwork laid by ACFEA and facilitated by Tassos meant that we Budapest or Salzburg on the radio were met with staff who were courteous, ready to greet us and very competent. without listening more carefully In between all the transitions were the real experiences of the tour. These are because this is no longer just a name the life lessons for our young people: not only exchanging currencies four learned in geography class, but a real times, but understanding what the local prices mean in dollars, learning to place to them. The dimensions added navigate where the landmarks and street signs are unfamiliar, understanding to their lives have changed them the history and culture of the countries visited, discovering the joys of gelato, forever in the most positive of ways.

St. Louis . continued from page 4 become more self-sufficient. St. John’s each performance deepened our is a small brick church that seats understanding of the repertoire. members sang a 40-minute concert for about 200 and every single seat in the Concert Choir’s artistry, teamwork, and about 600 of the students. The music church was taken! They had chairs mastery of the music really developed teacher said that this was probably wedged in wherever possible: at the on this tour and that’s one of the main the first classical concert for nearly sides, around the organ, and at the 90% of the students there. There just edge of the altar area. reasons we take these trips. Something are no orchestras or choirs in the rural very special happens when the We closed our Australian concert township and few of the children have students travel together. They learn tour singing with the Young Voices of about other cultures and they learn the opportunity to go to the city. One Melbourne at the remarkable and very young boy in junior high came up to modern BMW Edge theater located more about each other. Their horizons us after the concert and said, “I usually in the heart of the arts district of broaden and their artistic sensibilities don’t like classical music, but that was Melbourne on the banks of the Yarra are strengthened. There’s no question a really great performance!” River. We loved the diversity of their this can be heard in the music they The concert we sang in St. John’s repertoire and the opportunity to sing make. We are very grateful to have Anglican Church in Bairnsdale was two of Stephen Leek’s pieces, directed worked with the whole team at by Melbourne’s dynamic conductor, probably our favorite one on tour. ACFEA who share our high standards Mark O’Leary. All the proceeds went to support a of excellence in providing a quality project to help a village in Rwanda It was exciting for us to see how concert tour for young people.

5 www.acfea.com Palo Alto High School Choir with the Anyel Colorado Children’s Choir in front of the Iglesia de Chorale in Brazil San Francisco in San Miguel de Allende, February 26, 2008, saw the Colorado Children’s Chorale Mexico (director, Deborah DeSantis) checking in at Denver airport for their flights to São Paulo. The country and the group turned out to be a perfect match, both having endless supplies of energy, smiles, generosity and joie de vivre (alegria de viver in Portuguese), and the group and its audiences fell in love with each other with a wonderful spontaneity. Debbie’s typically entertaining programs were perfect for the Brazilian audiences, showing off the group’s flawless singing and its famous choreography. The Chorale performed twice in São Paulo, each time with different local choirs and standing-room- only audiences. They also Colorado Children’s Chorale participated in ACFEA’s Boston entertains retirement home growing practice of adding Youth residents in São Paulo a philanthropic element Symphony to tours by singing at a retirement home. As Debbie wrote, performs in “the retirement home visit was wonderful” and, looking at Smetana Hall the photographs, it is difficult to tell whether the children in Prague or the residents are having the better time. From there they drove to one of ACFEA’s favorite little spots, the cobbled-street town of Paraty. A “very responsive, excited audience” enjoyed the concert in the Mississippi Casa de Cultura, which came at the end of a day spent College Choir sailing around the bay on a schooner and enjoying beach in Cesky time and snorkeling. Krumlov, The next stop was the old Brazilian capital city of Petrópolis. Czech Republic It was here that they gave a joint concert with an excellent girls’ chorus, the Meninas dos Canarinhos, to an audience of over 600.

University of Finally, of course, there was Rio de Janeiro. With a hotel Maine Singers right on Copacabana Beach, a cable car ride up Sugarloaf at the Temple Mountain, a visit to the Christ the Redeemer statue and a of Concordia stroll around the Botanical Gardens, these 36 young people in the Valley certainly got a taste of this amazing city. Their final concert, of the Temples, in the Teatro Zaccaria, had “another very enthusiastic Agrigento, Italy crowd”, and was followed by a farewell dinner in the famous Restaurant Porcão Rios. It was perhaps the quality of the food that most surprised the group. Debbie’s comments on successive dinners, were, “Perfect”, “Still perfect!”, “Have moved from perfect to unbelievable!” and “Unbelievably perfect and fantastic!!”. We think she enjoyed them - and certainly no one went hungry. To give Debbie the last words: “This tour was exceptional: the quality of performance venues; great audiences; the number of performances balanced with relaxation time and sightseeing. We were well cared for and enjoyed every minute. We hope we did our part in return by providing quality performances!”

6 Vox Femina Los Angeles Builds Bridges In Mexico written by Allie Fukushima, Tour Participant Mexico City - Pyramids and Pride From the ancient pyramids at Teotihuacán to the gay pride celebration in the Zócalo, the thriving, cosmopolitan capital city offered a rich sampling of Mexico’s historic past and present day vitality. When we sang Mahk Jchi atop the Pyramid of the Sun, we swear we made contact with the ancestors! Making music with the six warm, talented women of Coro Karites – a joy! They taught us Siyahamba in Spanish – making our shared performance that much more meaningful! The full house seemed to think so, too. Tepotzotlan - Rococo Cuckoo! Nothing could have prepared us for the Iglesia de San Francisco Javier in Tepotzotlan – every surface covered in gold! Singing the strains of a Hildegard chant in this setting was hauntingly beautiful. Once again, a packed house and a warm and responsive audience. Wow – a lot of young children sat in rapt attention and applauded enthusiastically! It didn’t hurt that Laurie Fox had met a group of them beforehand and they had become fast friends – Laurie’s groupies were great.

San Miguel de Allende - The Emotional Highlight Before visiting the Casa Hogar Santa Julia orphanage, we expected to encounter shy, reticent youngsters. Were we wrong! We were greeted with hugs by a group of outgoing children who were interested in many things – but especially hair. It was obvious that Lisa Bell had the coolest hair! That evening, we shared the stage with Santa Julia’s fledgling girls’ choir. When they weren’t performing, the girls were in the first two rows and we couldn’t help but kick it up a notch just for them. The audience responded with a standing ovation and demands that we sing an encore – of course, we had to comply. Guadalajara - Colonial Cooldown With performances complete, Voxxies kicked back and enjoyed the colonial conviviality of Guadalajara before we sadly said adios to our wonderful tour guides, the intriguing country and the warm, welcoming and musically sophisticated people we met in Mexico.

7 Idaho State Chamber Choir Tour of Peru An Interview with Scott Anderson, Director

Why did you choose Peru for What type of your tour? repertoire did After receiving presentations from you perform? ACFEA for Peru and South Africa, We tried to present a the singers and I made the choice to wide variety of choral travel to South America. Peru seemed music including sacred to offer a combination of acoustical “classical” music opportunities for our musical from the masters performances (the many Spanish (Palestrina, Victoria, colonial churches and cathedrals), rich Bach, Franco, etc.), art music composed cultural experiences, and world-class by predominantly sights such as Machu Picchu and the American composers Idaho State University Chamber Choir at Machu Picchu Sacred Valley. (Eric Whitacre, William What did you think of the food? What was the top highlight of Hawley, Morten Lauridsen, Mark Were there differences from home? the tour? Anderson, etc.), and arrangements The diversity of the menus and dishes I simply can’t identify ONE most of American folksongs and spirituals. was excellent. The group especially memorable aspect; there were This program hopefully offered a snapshot of our culture and musical appreciated the several buffet-style dozens! Some of our extraordinary tastes. I’m sure much of the music we meals that offered wide varieties memories include: joint concerts performed had never been heard by of local and regional cuisine. There with Coro Femenino in Lima, and our audiences in Peru. were many preparations of fish, with the Catholic College Choir beef, alpaca, ostrich, etc., which from Arequipa; Machu Picchu; the In Cusco, you attended a presentation were wonderful (no one was brave stunning scene at the Arequipa about different traditional musical enough to try one of the guinea pigs airport being surrounded by seven instruments. How did that go? on a stick, however!). Many of us volcanoes; the wonderful weather Kike Pinto’s presentation was another fell in love with one of the national we encountered for most of our tour; highlight of our tour. He was the drinks of Peru: the pisco sour. In the overwhelming hospitality of our “real deal”: a sensitive musician and fact, the conductor from Lima, Isabel host choirs and their conductors; and teacher who presented a compelling Salas, gave me her special recipe the graceful way in which our courier, and passionate presentation about for pisco sours, which I have already Sylvia Garcia Marin, dealt with Andean musical instruments. We all successfully attempted! felt as though Kike brought us into everything we encountered along the What advice would you give to other the culture in an intimate way. way...and so much more! groups looking to go to Latin America Could you elaborate on your joint on a tour? concert experiences with Coro “ACFEA continues to be Latin America, and Peru in particular, Femenino in Lima and the Catholic a highly professional and offers rewarding musical and cultural College Choir in Arequipa? dependable organization. opportunities for any choir. When comparing costs of such a trip to If the singers and I were forced to Our trip to Paris included travel in Europe, the Far East, or name the “most” memorable aspects venues packed with other destinations, South America is of this trip, I would say that our energetic and passionate still a very good value. We would all two joint concerts would be strong audiences. We left feeling recommend Latin America very highly candidates. The sharing of music as if we had been fortunate based upon our experiences there. (when most of us could not speak to have a chance to offer the language) proved to be our music in such historic “communication” and cut through “FANTASTIC! I have all the cultural and language barriers venues. Our experience in already spoken with Erin completely. In addition, the reception Lourdes was as close to concerning a tour in the offered to us by the College students, feeling like rock stars as spring of 2010. It’s ACFEA faculty and administrators in we’ll ever have!” all the way!” Arequipa was extraordinary: dancers; Kevin Turner, Director Ardelle Ries, Director musicians; gifts; food and drink; Davidson United Methodist University of Alberta friendship – really overwhelming! Church Choir Augustana Choir We will never forget these moments.

8 Sacramento Children’s Chorus Concert Tour of Norway and Sweden Excerpts from poems sent home from the road by Joan Birdsell, Tour Manager

Today it hails on Californians in Oslo! A troop of fiddlers set the We had free time mood and the pace The Chorale and Choraliers decided to All fall behind and walk to the test building acoustics festival grounds They sang in the lobby of the Some ride in large wooden Oslo National Theater wagons decorated with They sang in the stairwell of the greens for good luck Nobel Institute Everyone is in a good mood They sang in the lobby of our hotel All agreed the National Theater The festivities continued lobby was best without us The sound soared and blended We had a concert to give The tourists stopped talking In a church by a lake Tears were wiped away afterwards In a church that has been here for centuries Today we spent the day in Karlstad In the little town of Rättvik We were told it would rain More than 400 people came to It didn’t rain hear us sing The sun shone Sacramento Children’s Chorus at the They left their midsummer Scandic Grand Hotel in Örebro, Sweden The sky was blue festivities to hear us sing The tour participants rejoiced They gave us 2 standing ovations Today we helped honor the We turned our faces to the sun They were beaming with pleasure We put on sunglasses church organist Their pleasure needed no translation We ate ice cream The Santa Clara Kyrka organist We visited the park Has played the church organ Today we sang at Dalhalla We rode the water bus It was a quarry in a former life Every day of the past 32 years We sang on the boat It was a meteorite impact site in a Today was his last day We waved to the people on the bank former life before that We dedicated to him our last song We went up and down the canal lock It is a unique stage in a We watched the lock master crank the We sang a song of Swedish blessing gates open and shut by hand unique environment It seemed a fitting tribute All day long, first one gate, then The sound floated over the water and He was someone we had just met swirled around and around the other He was someone who deserved Few can boast of performing at Dalhalla First one side, then the other to be honored I hope the choir never forgets Today we went to the water park This morning we were in church in Örebro The church service was The look on his face as we sang It is the largest indoor water park standing-room-only in Sweden They had heard of our performance We had a terrific run of concerts It has your basic indoor swimming pool in Rättvik We have many memories to savor They had heard of our performance It has Olympic quality high dives We have new friendships There are water slides in Mora We have touched the lives of people There are wave machines They came to the church service There are snorkeling pools with sharks this morning a world away (the sharks are behind glass) They came by the hundreds And they have touched ours There are palm trees and tropical drinks They came to the concert this evening Just your basic indoor swimming pool! They came by the hundreds We will remember the tears We will remember the joy Today was Midsummer Eve We have felt so appreciated We will remember the beauty It is an important holiday in Sweden How could we not? of the churches Many Swedes consider the Dalarna They tell us so every night region to be the best place to They tell their friends and neighbors We will remember the lined faces celebrate Midsummer about us We will remember the kindness Rättvik is in Dalarna They come to our concerts of the people We are in Rättvik They come more than once We will remember how language They give us standing ovations was no barrier The Midsummer Eve festivities start Tonight we received 3 standing ovations Music was our common language with a procession Wow! Music was our powerful language It is led by prancing horses and And they asked us back again flag bearers The most powerful language of all

9 www.acfea.com ALINA PERETTI is ACFEA’s Representative in Poland Our Worldwide Staff and has worked for ACFEA since 1987. Educated in Wrocław, she has a degree in Architecture and Art. Alina NICK ABBOTT ROBERT LATIMER worked first as an architect and then is General Manager of Sales based in is ACFEA’s Manager for Australia. as a qualified tourist guide in four Bath. Nick received his degree in Music Robert has been an educator and different languages: Polish, Russian, at the University of Cambridge and businessman, having taught at both French and English. She has lived in was organ scholar of Girton College. primary and secondary levels, and Poland, France, Switzerland and the Prior to joining ACFEA, he combined involved in the photography and United Kingdom, and is a keen piano post-graduate studies in Musicology at cinema industries. As an amateur player. the University of Bristol with work as a musician, he has sung in choral groups conductor, organist, accompanist and in addition to performing in musical SUE PETER baritone. He has toured throughout and dramatic productions. He is well is ACFEA’s Representative for Germany. much of Europe, North America and traveled with extensive experience in She has a varied background in travel Asia. organizing and conducting study tours administration and has worked for of North America and Europe. Robert, the British Tourist Authority and the DAN BUCUR who lives in rural Victoria, has been Welsh Tourist Board. Now living in is ACFEA’s Representative in Romania, associated with ACFEA for over Berlin, she sings with the Wilmersdorf based in Bucharest. Dan graduated 15 years. ensemble ‘Kissi Choir’. from the Economics Studies Academy of Bucharest with a degree in ELFRIEDE LEIMER-RIZZOTTI RICHARD SAVAGE Farewell to Tourist Marketing and International is the Regional Representative in is Managing Director of ACFEA Relations. Fond of tourism and music, Italy. Although born in Austria, Friede Europe, and has been with the Dan joined ACFEA in 2003 and has has been ACFEA’s consultant in Italy company since 1970. He graduated Tricia George already organized many successful since 1983. Before joining ACFEA, she from Oxford University where he ACFEA concerts in venues throughout worked for the Austrian diplomatic sang in Christ Church Cathedral Choir. by Hugh Davies, Romania and has enjoyed introducing service. In addition to his responsibilities Managing Director, the delights of his country to those at ACFEA, he still maintains a performing ensembles. Anders Lindstrom professional singing career, having North America is ACFEA’s Representative in taken part in over 150 CD recordings HELEN DAVID Scandinavia, based in Rättvik, Sweden. and appearing regularly with the After nearly 30 years with is an Operations Manager in London. He received his music degree in Gabrieli Consort, King’s Consort, After receiving her degree in Music conducting under Professor Eric Polyphony, Tenebrae, Les Concerts d’ ACFEA, Tricia George, Head from Sussex University, Helen worked Ericson at the Stockholm Royal Astree and other European ensembles. of Operations in our London for 15 years as Tours Manager for the College of Music. He also studied office and our longest- Philharmonia Orchestra in London. conducting and church music with BECKY SHAFTOE serving staff member, left the In this role, she traveled throughout Nicholas Conran at Surrey University, is General Manager of Operations organization in September, Europe, the Far East and the USA. and with Dr. George Guest and Sir in London. After receiving a degree Helen studied the violin at the David Willcocks in Cambridge. For in Music at Newcastle University, she 2008. Guildhall School of Music and Drama many years, Anders was organist and trained in arts administration at the and has sung with the BBC Symphony choirmaster in churches in Stockholm London Sinfonietta before spending Tony Hastings (European Chorus on various occasions. and Sollentuna. He has formed choral five years organizing concerts and Projects Consultant) and I festivals and choirs in Sweden and education projects for the London have known Tricia for our Ilker Ersil made many recordings and radio Symphony Orchestra. In her role is ACFEA’s Representative in Turkey. and TV productions with his choirs. as LSO Tours Manager she traveled entire ACFEA careers – well Ilker has a degree in Business Anders now works as a teacher and widely with the Orchestra across over 20 years for each of us. Administration and has managed guest conductor in the field of Anglo/ Europe and the USA. Becky plays the The idea of ACFEA without events for many worldwide Swedish church music. oboe and, prior to joining ACFEA, Tricia is as bizarre to us as companies. He is a founding member taught English in Spain. and manager of one of Turkey’s most SYLVIA Garcia MARIN that of a meal without wine, successful choirs, Orfeon, and also is ACFEA’s Representative in Latin Anastasios Strikos a day without sunshine works with internationally-renowned America, based in Guadalajara, is ACFEA’s Representative for Greece. (maybe just to me: I live artists from around the globe. Mexico. She graduated from Georgia He is an accomplished musician, in California; Tony lives in State University with a degree in a pianist and orchestra conductor England), baseball without ELEANOR ETHERINGTON Business Administration and French and has toured as an accompanist is an Operations Manager in London. before moving to France. During her with several groups, including the hotdogs (so I’m told: I don’t She attended the University of York, time in Paris, she earned a degree Vienna Boys’ Choir. Tassos has lived understand either of them), where she received her Masters in International Relations from the in Germany and Austria and, apart summer without cricket degree in Music, specializing in vocal University Pantheon Assas Paris II and from his native Greek, he is fluent in studies and community music. After was ACFEA’s France representative for English, German, French and Italian. (that’s for Tony), flying leaving university, Eleanor traveled over ten years before taking on her without taking your shoes extensively in Europe, living and present role. Marianne Swienink- off, a season without two working in Germany and Holland. She a.m. telephone calls, life sings with three different ensembles, NEIL MCGOWAN Havard notably this season at the Royal Albert is ACFEA’s Representative in Moscow. is ACFEA’s Representative for Spain, without jet lag, and a world Hall and the Sage Gateshead. Neil ran the English National Opera France, Belgium and the Netherlands. without music. Schools and Community Touring A native of the Netherlands, Marianne unit for four years. He has acted as has worked in the travel industry for But it is the greatest tribute LEONE GRUEBNER 35 years, both as a professional tour is ACFEA’s Manager in New Zealand. a tour leader for American groups to Tricia that, while arranging around Russia, produces concerts of guide and in operations. She has She has been in the travel industry traveled extensively and has escorted hundreds of the creative, well for thirty years, having owned a his own (using Russian professional performers) in Moscow, and is Artistic tours throughout Europe, North planned and responsive tours travel agency as well as managing America, South America, Australasia coach companies and she now Consultant of the Vremena Goda that are ACFEA’s hallmark, Music Festival in St. Petersburg. and China. Fluent in Dutch, English, operates her own inbound tour German, French and Spanish, she has nurtured a European company. Her singing has spanned a Marianne has worked for ACFEA since operations department that lifetime including twenty years in the PIETER MYBURGH 2001. Auckland Dorian Choir and ten years is ACFEA’s Manager in South Africa. will thrive without her. with her current group, the Orlando Born in Upington near the Kalahari Singers. She has been associated with Desert, Pieter now resides in George OLGA YEMELYANOVA On behalf of the entire ACFEA for several years, arranging with his wife and three children. is ACFEA’s Representative in Russia, ACFEA organization the New Zealand portion of their He holds honors degrees in Human based in St. Petersburg. She attended a specialist music school and has worldwide, and the Australasian Tours. Resources and Psychology, and has thousands of people owned his own travel business for a diploma in English and German over ten years. Pieter is an avid Education. Olga received a PhD in for whom the tours she TONY HASTINGS Linguistics from Herzen Pedagogical is European Projects Consultant. He is traveler and currently sings with the arranged were wonderful, George Male Choir. University of St. Petersburg, where a graduate of Sussex University and she teaches English. She is actively life-changing experiences, I worked previously in music publishing involved in music-making, and offer Tricia our deep respect, and artist management. He sings is a keen American square- and heartfelt but inadequate professionally with the choir of Bath contradancer. Abbey, and is also a member of the thanks, and very best wishes Bath Camerata. for the future.

10 ACFEA Now North America Staff Offers Guaranteed Exchange Rates While many of our groups continue to appreciate the flexibility and transparency offered by our long-standing policy of quoting land prices in the currency of the destination, AMANDA BAUMAN RACHEL FLAMM ERIN HARLAN with the recent weakness of the is a Tour Manager in the New is a Tour Manager in the Seattle is a Tour Manager in the Seattle dollar some groups have wanted York office. An Ohio native, she office. Originally from the office. She received a degree in the security of a fixed exchange Communications with a minor in performed with the Cleveland Chicago area, Rachel sang with rate. We are now pleased to be Orchestra Chorus before receiving the Palatine Children’s Chorus for Vocal Music Performance from 14 years, including on tours to Pacific Lutheran University. At able to offer that option, on the her degree in Music Education understanding that once the from Duquesne University, in Britain, Austria, Italy, Canada, New PLU, Erin sang with the Choir of Pittsburgh. There she was a York and Hawaii. She graduated the West, with whom she toured group has accepted the fixed member of symphonic and jazz with a degree in Music from Norway and Sweden on an ACFEA exchange rate no benefit will be bands, as well as the Chamber Carleton College in Minnesota. At concert tour. Her travels include a derived from any strengthening Singers, with whom she toured Carleton, Rachel played clarinet study abroad program in Australia, of the dollar. Europe on an ACFEA concert and conducted and managed the and trips throughout Europe, tour. Amanda currently sings with Carleton Choirs on tours to Los North America, Mexico, Iceland, Please discuss this option with and serves on the board of the Angeles and New Orleans. Rachel South America and China. Erin your Tour Manager if you are currently sings with and serves Young New Yorkers’ Chorus. Her has also traveled independently interested. travels have included excursions throughout Europe and on on the Board of Directors of The to Europe, Australia, Africa and performance tours of Belgium, Esoterics, an a cappella group Central and South America. Holland and Germany. She in Seattle. currently plays clarinet with the Unseen but Shoreline Concert Band. Indispensable…

The Tour Managers are ACFEA’s front line, but there are many others in our organization who make our tours happen. We CHRISTINA MARTIN gratefully acknowledge the HUGH DAVIES is a Tour Manager based in the mighty efforts of: is Managing Director of ACFEA EMILY FRYE California office. Born in San North America, based in the is a Tour Manager in the New York Francisco, she graduated from Bill Barber San Francisco office. Born in office. She grew up in Missouri, the University of California, San Group Travel Manager England, he has a master’s where she sang with the St. Louis Diego, and has worked with Christine McLaughlin ACFEA since 1992. As a student degree from Cambridge, where Children’s Choir for nine years, Finance Manager he sang at King’s College under including on tours to Russia and she lived in France and Guatemala, Sir David Willcocks. Hugh sang Scotland. Emily received degrees and traveled throughout Europe Greg Newell professionally in Europe, including in Music and Magazine Journalism with Arête West, a youth club Marketing Manager with the Monteverdi Choir, before from Drake University, during combining cultural study and teaching music in Australia. He which time she traveled to Paris track competition. She has also Ken Olson now performs as a soloist and with for a study abroad program and toured through North and South Operations Manager America, Russia, China, Australia, several professional ensembles toured Europe with the university’s David Wert in the Bay Area, and serves on choir. She is currently singing in New Zealand and South Africa. the boards of the American Bach the choir at St. Peter’s Lutheran Christina currently sings with the Finance and Operations Soloists and Chorus America. Church as well as the Young New UC Alumni Chorus in Berkeley. Administrator Yorker’s Chorus. SEATTLE Erin Harlan Office Locations Rachel Flamm San Francisco (800) 627-2141 New York (425) 776-3273 Seattle 123 Second Avenue S. Suite 105 London Edmonds, WA 98020 Ankara, Turkey [email protected] NEW YORK Auckland Amanda Bauman Bairnsdale, Australia SAN FRANCISCO Emily Frye Bath Hugh Davies (800) 886-6995 Berlin Christina Martin 179 N. 10th St., Suite H Bucharest (800) 886-2055 Brooklyn, NY 11211 George, South Africa (415) 453-6619 [email protected] Guadalajara, Mexico 777 Grand Avenue, Suite 206 San Rafael, CA 94901 Moscow [email protected] Rättvik, Sweden St. Petersburg Venice

11 www.acfea.com 2009 Alaska Choral Cruise

with Duain Wolfe and Sir David Willcocks July 18 - 26, 2009 Enjoy a Holland America Line cruise in Alaska while preparing for a concert in Seattle with Duain Wolfe and Sir David Willcocks. The tour program includes: • Seven-day Alaska cruise aboard Holland America Line’s ms Amsterdam, with stops in attractive ports of call including Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and Victoria, British Columbia • Rehearsals and receptions aboard the ship open only to ACFEA choral cruise participants • The opportunity to meet and perform with choir members from North America and beyond • Group transfers from the hotel or airport to the pier on July 18 and all transfers on July 25 • Seattle sightseeing tour upon completion of the cruise • Lunch and dinner in Seattle on July 25 • Grand finale concert and post-concert reception in Seattle with other choral cruise participants • Final night’s accommodation in Seattle on July 25 • Breakfast buffet on July 26 • Group transfer from the hotel to the airport on July 26

Prices start at $2,225*. Book now as space is limited. The cruise departs Seattle, Washington on July 18, 2009 and returns on July 25, with Seattle sightseeing, the farewell dinner and the concert that day. The tour ends with breakfast on July 26.

For further information please contact ACFEA Tour Consultants 123 2nd Ave South, Suite 105, Edmonds, WA 98020 TEL (425) 776-3273 or (800) 627-2141 . FAX (425) 672-8187 EMAIL [email protected]

*Prices in US dollars based on double occupancy. Airfare not included but available. Government taxes and fuel surcharges not included. Photos provided by Holland America Line CST 2063085-40 WST 601 273 533

“We had a well-conceived itinerary, the right number of concerts, excellent sight-seeing, 123 Second Avenue South, Suite 105 beautiful hotels, wonderful food, enthusiastic PO Box 849 expert couriers and guides. I think this experience Edmonds WA 98020 USA

was a tremendous value for the price paid.” CST 2063085-40 • WST 601 273 533 Chuck Moore, Executive Director Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra Wind Symphony 100% recycled with 50% post consumer waste