. tour2006/2007 Performing Arts notesNews from Around the World www.acfea.com Performing at As highlighted in this newsletter, ACFEA arranges a High Level customized performing arts tours throughout the world. The Peninsula Women’s Chorus (Martin From singing in Notre Dame Benvenuto, Artistic Director) returned to Cathedral in Paris to concert California after a rewarding European concert tours through South America, tour, which culminated in its participation ACFEA can make it happen. in the 22nd Béla Bartók International While we were only able Choir Competition in Debrecen, Hungary. to include a few of our This highly regarded competition aims to tours in the newsletter, we bring into focus the relationship between wish to express our sincere contemporary music and the public, and thanks to all of the groups proved a fitting complement to the Peninsula for making 2006 a very Women’s Chorus’ ongoing commitment to successful year. Peninsula Women’s Chorus performing in commissioning, performing and recording St. Matthias Church, Budapest new music. Competing in the top tier 2 category, against formidable Eastern European choirs, the Peninsula Women’s Chorus earned Texas A&M a third place prize with a score of 84.5 points, trailing by one half point the two choirs that Women’s Chorus tied for the second prize. A demanding 95 points is required to earn a first prize, which wasn’t 2 awarded to any choir in this year’s competition. Denver School of the Arts Orchestra Competing in such a high-level competition is always an incredible learning experience for any 4 Peninsula . continued on page 4 Toronto Children’s Chorus 5 Nevada Union High School Band Blame It On Rio 6 Over milkshakes in the Pittsburgh Tour Summaries International Airport, Director John 7 Goldsmith, his brother Ed, their longtime Tour Summaries friend Dave Cameron and ACFEA Tour 8 Manager Amanda Bauman had the Chamber Singers of opportunity to witness the excitement that California State built as the members of the Heinz Chapel University, Fullerton Choir were only moments from boarding 8 their airplane. The quartet watched in Vassar College amusement as all of these University of Women’s Chorus Pittsburgh students sucked down their 9 last cheeseburgers and fries before hitting Mount Royal the road on their very first non-European Youth Choir concert tour. The group had chosen to visit 10 South America, including stops in Argentina, Overseas Staff and Brazil. The tour upon which Heinz Chapel Choir at Corcovado in 11 they were embarking was to be one of North American Staff unfathomable scenery, warm and enthusiastic people, fantastic food and incredible 12 musical experiences. Richmond Anniversary After landing in Argentina, Heinz was greeted by its courier, Sylvia Marin. Sylvia had been the 12 courier on HCC’s tour to France and Spain in 1998 and it was a special treat for the group Alaska Choral Cruise Heinz . continued on page 3 Denver School of the Texas A&M Arts Orchestra Amazed Women’s by Russian Culture Chorus Article written by Elinor Phillips, Tour Participant Tours China Last spring break, I participated in an ACFEA-led tour of Russia with the Denver School of the Arts Orchestra. During this trip, we visited the capital city of Interview with Jess Wade, Director Moscow, the small town of Novgorod, and the historic city of St. Petersburg. We had the fantastic opportunity ACFEA has been arranging tours to to not only tour and learn China and Hong Kong for nearly 20 about these beautiful cities, years. We have access to a full range but also become visiting of venues in cities both on and off the artists. Each of the ornate normal routes, and our expertise in concert halls in which our concert promotion produces concerts youth orchestra preformed that are often sold out. had a unique history of its As the interview below exemplifies, own. I valued having truly our groups are usually amazed by the interested audiences, all of value and quality of the travel, hotel whom were drawn there and meal arrangements. by the publicity put out Why did you choose China for the by ACFEA. Women’s Chorus? During our stay in the I had always considered a trip to Denver School of the Arts Orchestra in city of St. Petersburg we China to be cost prohibitive. What Smolny Cathedral, St. Petersburg encountered an unexpected we discovered, with guidance surprise. After checking into from ACFEA, is that it was not only our hotel on the first night, we met a group of Russian high school students reasonable, it was actually cheaper. who happened to be visual artists from an arts school in Moscow. Over the Probably the comment I heard most next few days, we chatted back and forth and learned so much about each often on the trip from students, other’s culture. parents, and former members traveling with us alike, was what an Russia was such a fascinating country to explore. We were awe-inspired at incredible value the trip was. People every corner by the centuries-old buildings, incredibly designed churches and by could not believe the amount and observing the traditional Russian way of quality of the various tour elements life. One Sunday morning in Novgorod, “I think the company far received compared to the cost of the I tagged along with a group of students trip. For the cost of the previous year’s exceeded our expectations. to attend Sunday Mass at a Catholic We truly got all that we trip to Italy, we got China with all church. What a fascinating experience meals and inter-city flights included. paid for and more, as we it was to listen to the Mass in Russian! were very well taken care When I talked to my friend after the How difficult was the pre-planning of throughout the entire service, she said that even though it was (shots, visas, trip preparation, etc.,) compared to planning a trip to other trip. The accommodations, recited in Russian, the entire format was the same as here in America. destinations? concert arrangements, We were pleased to discover that tour guides, and overall The ACFEA-led trip to Russia was truly there were no shots required to go to organization of the trip an amazing trip, and a wonderful and China and the visa application process were all excellent.” fun learning experience. Musically, I was taken care of by ACFEA. Other couldn’t have asked for a more fitting than a little more intense attention to Erica Burkland, Tour Participant place to tour, since our audiences Vassar College language concerns, the preparation Women’s Chorus appreciated listening to classical music for the trip was very similar to that of Poughkeepsie, NY and also because Russia is the birthplace any overseas tour. of many of the world’s most famous classical composers. The ACFEA tour What were your favorite aspects of was extremely informative and well organized in every aspect of the trip. Each your concerts? activity in which we participated was exciting and was what we as a student The audiences were packed and group were eager to do. My spring break tour to Russia with my high school extremely appreciative. It was great orchestra couldn’t have been better! to hear the local choirs in the first and

 last concerts singing in Warriors, etc. We also their own language and had the opportunity singing English, just as to attend several local we had sung in Chinese. cultural events. The acoustics were The local guides were all very good, but the great about answering concert venue in Xi’an questions and providing was especially wonderful, interesting information both architecturally and without boring the in the sound it allowed students. It was great to us to produce. One of have an ACFEA guide the most exciting parts of and a local guide the trip was conducting with us at all times the piece that combined to make sure the local choir with our Texas A&M Women’s Chorus at the Forbidden City in Beijing arrangements were women on stage. It carried out as planned, but were also willing to tweak the schedule as other was fun for all the singers and the interests became apparent or small problems arose that were quickly solved. audience seemed to really like this The hotels were all above what I am used to having student groups stay in when cooperative effort. traveling to Europe. What comments do you have for other directors about what to expect Heinz . continued from page 1 tool in learning about a culture from performances in China? to have her as its courier again. The intimately. The group members took We had been told that audiences members collected their bags and great advantage of the opportunity in China tend to be a little less headed into the first port of call: to practice their Spanish, and enjoyed attentive than in other places, while , one of South America’s meeting the residents on a personal still enjoying the concert. But our most cultured and sophisticated cities. level. The concert in this rural town experience was that they were The choir spent the next two days in was completely full of friendly and anxious to hear all kinds of music and Buenos Aires acclimatizing, attending enthusiastic locals. were always very generous in their a welcoming dinner, enjoying a applause. In fact, during intermission Just around the corner lay Brazil, guided sightseeing tour and watching of one concert, one of our non- where the weather is perpetually a tango show. singing tour members, who happens perfect, the caipirinhas are always to speak Chinese and was seated in On the third day of the tour, HCC flowing and the pace of the world the audience, overheard an audience traveled to the town of La Plata, slows down just a bit. One of the member use her cell phone to call a about an hour away. It was there, in group’s most memorable and friend and encourage her to get to the gorgeous Basílica del Sagrado enjoyable moments was an all-day the concert as quickly as possible! Corazón de Jesús, that the group had schooner tour in the tiny, historic its first concert. To a large and excited hamlet of Paraty. Everyone donned How were the food, sightseeing, audience, the group performed with their bathing suits and flip flops, and hotels, and local guides? a local choir, the Coro Polifónico, as jumped aboard the vessel for some I think everyone was amazed at the part of the Festival of Religious Music. welcome R&R. They snorkeled. They variety and quality of food served sunbathed. They did cannonballs off in China and even the pickiest The next stop on the tour was the starboard bow! eaters seemed to be satisfied. I was Colonia, on the Uruguayan side of expecting every meal to be essentially La Plata River, which they reached For an ideal end to a fantastic tour, the same. However, during the entire by ferry. Colonia is a UNESCO Heniz finished in one of the world’s trip, all in different restaurants and in heritage site and, as a result, it has greatest cities, Rio de Janeiro, which three different cities, I only counted an untouched feel, boasting colonial is situated on the beaches of the two entrees that were the same. The architecture and narrow, tree-lined, Atlantic Ocean with a stunning one meal that deviated somewhat cobblestone streets. Their concert mountainous backdrop, countless from the norm was the traditional here was a fantastic success. It was white sand beaches and a tropical dumpling meal, a favorite of the another joint concert, this time with atmosphere. The group performed entire group. the Coro Municipal de Colonia. its final concert in the Salão Nobre I have to admit, my knowledge From Colonia, Heinz traveled into do Centro Cultural Justiça Federal, of China was extremely limited the hills for one of the more notable in the center of Rio. Heinz had the going into this trip. So, it was quite portions of the tour, for it was here, in concert recorded as a memento of all enlightening to visit the great Treinta y Tres, that the group had the of the experiences they had in South monuments you only ever hear about: opportunity for homestays. Truly an America. The name of the recording is the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, experience to remember, staying with the same as the name they had given the Jade Temple, the Terra Cotta local families can be an important the entire tour: Blame it on Rio!

 www.acfea.com Peninsula . continued from page 1 performing ensemble. One PWC Toronto Children’s Chorus singer remarked on how impressed she was with the hard work Goes to China Europe demonstrated by all the choirs at the competition, bringing her a Plans were proceeding well for the Toronto Children’s Chorus (Jean Ashworth new awareness of a heightened Bartle, Music Director) to tour China when, in November 2005, concerns about level of preparation needed for a bird flu caused an abrupt change of direction. ACFEA likes to have twelve to performance, competitive or not. This new awareness had an exciting and eighteen months to work on a tour for any group, especially one as prestigious palpable effect on the performance as the Toronto Children’s Chorus, so starting from scratch a mere eight months level of PWC throughout the stages in advance was not something we undertook lightly. We were delighted, of the competition – and indeed however, that the leadership of the chorus gave us the broadest criteria we throughout the tour. could have hoped for: Europe, good concerts, same budget. A couple of weeks There were many other of inquiry determined that there were suitable opportunities still available in impressionable moments on the Hungary, tour, which began four days earlier Slovakia and in the beautiful city of Prague. After Austria, so settling into a lovely hillside hotel we rolled up offering stunning city views, the our sleeves singers set out to get their European and got to bearings and prepare for their first work with a concert, which they shared with the whole new Prague Male Choir, the contemporary list of venues, incarnation of the Prague Male Choir hotels, flights, that visited California in 1996 and was hosted by PWC. The joint concert buses and took place in St. Saviour’s Church and couriers. offered a delightful musical warm-up By January to the tour, as well as an opportunity almost to appreciate the sound and style of everything a local choir. Both choirs were able Toronto Children’s Chorus performs with orchestra in Salzburg Cathedral was in place: to visit with one another after the concert when they joined together concerts in for a dinner cruise on the River Budapest’s St. Matthias Church and Eger’s Cathedral; a concert in the beautiful Vltava. hall of a Slovakian castle; a concert with orchestra in the Stephansdom, Vienna; and, as the grand finale, a concert (again with orchestra) in Salzburg’s Cathedral Under the auspices of the Teplice as part of the Salzburg Festival. Typical of Jean, the repertory was wide-ranging Cultural Summer Festival, the Peninsula Women’s Chorus presented in style and era: from Bach and Brahms through Randall Thompson and Healey its next concert performance in the Willan to Stephen Hatfield. This was well received by the audiences, which Jean Church of St. John the Baptist, a described as “huge, intelligent and appreciative.” stunning Baroque venue, located ACFEA was pleased to have the resources to outside Prague and filled with an be able to come up with a tour worthy of this “ACFEA did a audience of avid music lovers. group, rather than having to let cancelling the wonderful job making The chorus members enjoyed their China tour be the end of the travel hopes of sure everyone on the final days of the tour in Budapest all the fine young people in the chorus, and it trip was happy and where they had a few hours of was very gratifying to receive this note from satisfied. They were cherished leisure time to sightsee and Jean Ashworth Bartle: “The trip you organized dine in this most elegant European very flexible with the for us exceeded our expectations in every way city. Arriving in Budapest directly schedule changes from the choral competition in and I cannot thank you enough. We had huge and we couldn’t have Debrecen, the singers had hit their audiences at all six concerts – and excellent asked for better tour stride and were charged with energy acoustics. The orchestral players in Salzburg guides.” during their finale performance in were consummate professional artists... Megan Stenehjem the renowned St. Matthias Church. Thank you also for taking time to come to Tour Participant Too soon, they would return home the Toronto airport to see that everyone got Texas A&M University and yet there was so much more they looked after. With much gratitude, and all Women’s Chorus wanted to sing! good wishes and continued success, Jean.” College Station, TX

 Nevada Union High School “We were all very satisfied with this tour. Every Band Together in England aspect was well done and your staff was first rate. Article written by Lynn Skrukrud, Tour Participant What a thrill it was to sing for large, appreciative Heading back to school this fall, I ran into several of my friends whom I hadn’t seen all summer. When I saw them they’d always ask, “How was your summer?” audiences in just the right Truthfully, I didn’t even know where to begin. This summer had been incredible, size venues. Especially largely due to my trip to England with the Nevada Union High School Band. meaningful was singing As cheesy as it may sound, it was the trip of a lifetime! How many high school Dvo˘rák in Czech for Czech students get the chance to travel to England with audiences. What a great sixty of their closest friends, march down the idea to book concerts streets of Cornwall while leading a procession for the mayor, make friends from around the world, outside the big cities! see the artistry of Stonehenge and discover the I could go on and on. ancient beauty of England? Great job, ACFEA!” Traveling to a foreign country presents so many Barry Torres, Director Laurentian Singers opportunities for discovery. We saw history first- Canton, NY hand by visiting some incredible sights such as Stonehenge, where we learned of its vast and mysterious origin based upon the sun. During our stopover in Bath, we were told that the Roman Baths were once thought to have magical “Exceeded my highest healing powers. We went to the steps of our forefathers at Plymouth where the Mayflower expectations! ACFEA has set sail. earned a loyal customer – with no hesitation! Thank NUHS in the Mazey Day Most importantly were the people I grew close to Parade in Penzance and the unforgettable memories that I have of you for a tremendous first the tour. I stayed with an amazing family in Penzance, who not only opened up overseas tour with their home, but also their hearts, to me and two of my fellow band members. my group.” We barbecued on the beach and swam on the shores of Penzance at sunset. We Kevin Tison, Director experienced English hospitality by drinking tea with three Cornish gentlemen Fountain Valley in the midst of parade floats and decorations. We performed to thousands on High School Troubadors the packed streets of Penzance, with the breeze blowing my gold and blue Fountain Valley, CA color guard flag and a smile on my face as I heard comments from the crowd of, “There go the Americans”, and while spinning my wooden “Best tour ever with rifle the ACFEA! I have two tours exclamations left in my career as a of, “They’ve got shooters!” conductor before I retire. I We marched would definitely consider through the returning to Argentina and colorful streets Uruguay for my final tour. filled with Really an outstanding value bright banners from the economic point and floats in the Golowan of view, as well as offering festival. We outstanding concert venues listened to Nevada Union High School Band in Plymouth and audiences.” music in the Gordon Spice, Director park by our hosts, the Penzance Youth Wind Band. Washington and Lee University Chamber Singers All in all, more happened on this trip than I could possibly put into words. Lexington, VA I will always remember the amazing time I had and England will forever hold a special place in my heart.

 www.acfea.com Portland Symphonic Girlchoir The Portland Symphonic Girlchoir performed in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. The group, which was performing photo courtesy of Andre Havard photo courtesy of Andre an informal recital, had over 200 people sit down to enjoy their performance in the famous cathedral. The choir toured through Paris and York, where they The Head-Royce School concert in the Church of St. Giles as part participated in the Choral of the B M Cernohorsky Festival of Sacred Music, Nymburk, Czech Republic Portland Symphonic Girlchoir in Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris Music Experience festival. Central Dauphin and Hershey High School Choir Central Dauphin and Hershey High School Choir enjoyed a wonderful 10-day tour of Italy, which included stops in Rome, Montecatini Terme, Vicenza and Venice. A highlight of the tour was a joint concert in Marostica with Gioventu in Cantata in the Chiesa S. Antonio. Colorado Children’s Chorale The Colorado Children’s Chorale toured Spain and France, stopping in , Montelimar and Saint Maximin. The group performed concerts in Barcelona, Pals and Montelimar, an informal recital Central Dauphin and Hershey High School Choir in concert in the Chiesa S. Biaggio, Sant’ Oreste, Italy. in Montserrat and participated in the 11i `eme Festival Choral International En Provence. St. Paul’s School Singers The St. Paul’s School Singers visited Spain and Morocco in March, including stops in , Cordoba, Seville, Malaga and Tangier. The group performed five times,

photo courtesy of Marianne Swienink-Havard photo courtesy of Marianne including a joint concert with Coral de la Cátedra Ramón Medina del Liceo de Córdoba and Mass participation followed by a concert performance in Tangier. Colorado Children’s Chorale enjoys some free time at Parque Güell, Barcelona

 GBYSO performs in the Plaza de las Pasiegas, Head-Royce Granada as part of the Granada Festival School and Colla Voce The Head-Royce School and Colla Voce choral tour to Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic began with a Mass participation in the stunning Church of St. Matthias in Budapest. This was followed by joint concerts in

Bratislava and Brno, and ended Swienink-Havard photo courtesy of Marianne with a Mayoral reception and The Head-Royce School concert in the Church of St. Giles as part finale concert in Nymburk as part of the B M Cernohorsky Festival of Sacred Music, Nymburk, Czech of the B M Cernohorsky Festival Republic of Sacred Music. Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra The Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra toured Portugal and Spain on its sixth tour with ACFEA. The group performed concerts in Lisbon and Seville and took part in the Granada Festival as well as the Nits d’Estiu Festival near Barcelona. Palo Alto High School Choir Brazil was a whole new experience for the Palo Alto choir members who began their tour in the northern city of Salvador da Bahia that is rarely visited by touring choirs. At the height of World Cup fever, the choir performed to an almost full house in Rio de Janeiro, enjoyed an excellent joint concert Palo Alto High School Choir during a workshop with a Bahian Afro-Brazilian in Petropolis Cathedral and sang to a standing- percussion group in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil room only audience in the beautiful coastal town of Paraty.

Chorus North Shore Chorus North Shore, under the direction of Sonya Pryor, chose to slow down the pace for its sixth international concert tour with ACFEA. The group traveled to Amsterdam, , Brugge and Paris, with a day in Normandy that was a true Havard photo courtesy of Andre highlight for the choir. The chorus also spent a day in Tournai, Belgium with a photo courtesy of Marianne Swienink-Havard photo courtesy of Marianne local choir at the Eglise St. Jacques. As well as participating in morning Mass, they performed an afternoon concert to a packed audience.

Chorus North Shore singing in the Eglise St. Jacques in Tournai, Belgium

St. Paul’s School Singers enjoy an alternative mode of transportation in Morocco

 www.acfea.com CSU Fullerton Vassar College Delights Australia Women’s

John Alexander chose Australia as the destination for his final tour with the Chamber Singers of California State University, Fullerton, where he had been Chorus’ Tour Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies from 1994 until his retirement this summer. He continues as Artistic Director of Pacific Chorale and serves on of Turkey the Board of Chorus America. Interview with The repertoire that Fullerton took to Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra and Christine Howlett, Sydney was of great interest to the Australians. Very familiar with European Director choral music, they were delighted to be introduced by John and his fine choir How did you go to a broad selection of music from the Americas. From North America, there about choosing were two pieces by John himself, and works by Meredith Monk, Moses Hogan Turkey for the and Adolphus Hailstork. South America was represented by, amongst others, Women’s Chorus? Francisco Lopez y Capilla and Alberto Ginastera. We wanted an All the concerts were given in collaboration with local choirs, providing the economical trip and the girls wanted Californians an opportunity to meet Australians with a similar interest in music to go somewhere that was interesting and to benefit from the loyal and different from the usual audience of the local group. destinations. We thought the idea of In Adelaide and Canberra, touring in Turkey was fantastic and the local choir started with a Robyn, our ACFEA Tour Manager, short set, Fullerton took over helped to eliminate any pre-conceived fears about the country. I also felt for the rest of the first half that with ACFEA’s strong background, and the bulk of the second, they would arrange a tour for us then both choirs joined where we would be completely safe. together to sing Alexander’s Musica, an accessible and What was your most appropriate piece with a memorable concert? beautiful text about the While each of the girls has her beneficent power of music. favorite, the first concert in Ankara In Melbourne and Sydney, was the most memorable for me. It Fullerton sang their own was a wonderful hall and the sound Members of the CSU Fullerton Chamber Singers at program in the first set, and was beautiful. We were so excited Manly Beach in Sydney joined with a local choir in and there was something special about the chorus being announced in the second half to perform Fauré’s Requiem – with orchestra in Melbourne, and Turkish for the first time that made organ in Sydney. this concert so exceptional. The Sydney concert was in aid of the church’s support of a hospital in Ethiopia, How was your experience with and a handsome sum was raised. The choir also gave a benefit performance at a all the media exposure? winery outside Adelaide, in Australia’s famous McLaren Vale. The concert was a great success, in spite of untypically wet and cold weather that caused some last- It was unbelievable. Coming into Bursa, when we arrived at the venue minute shuffling of arrangements. there was a humungous two-story Australia certainly seems to have worked its magic on the Fullerton singers. banner with our picture on it and Christopher Gravis, John’s assistant, wrote: “I want to thank you for everything our faces were two to three times that you did to make our Fullerton Chamber Choir tour the most memorable, their normal size. The girls were well organized and insightful tour that I have ever been a part of.” Tour just so thrilled and thought this participant Joe Ward wrote: “I wanted to say thanks again for the wonderful was incredible. It was something you’d expect for a rock concert and experience that I had in Australia. It was one of those life-changing experiences afterwards they gave the banner to that I will always think fondly of and NEVER forget.” me as a souvenir. John Alexander wrote to Robert Latimer, ACFEA’s manager in Australia: “I thank We had a very long spot on the you from the bottom of my heart for your wonderful leadership in planning morning show on TV 8, which is and executing our tour. It was absolutely first class all the way, and having you Turkey’s national television station. with us for the whole trip really made our experience in Australia something to We were interviewed for about treasure.” twenty minutes and then sang a few songs from our repertoire. Viewers ACFEA, in return, thanks John for the relationship we have had for 20 years, and called in right after we had finished wishes him a very happy retirement from his university career and continued to complement our performance fulfillment in his other endeavors.

 and some of the girls were even recognized on the streets shortly thereafter. Mount Royal Youth Choir Has In every city we visited our concerts were mentioned in the local paper a Muy Bueno Tour of Mexico along with our picture. I also did Under the direction of Arlie Langager, the Mount Royal Youth Choir interviews in each city with Ilker, one of our ACFEA couriers, handling the from Calgary, Alberta traveled through Central Mexico. Though Mexico, translating. unfortunately, is not a country that most groups think of when planning a concert tour, Mount Royal found the scenery astonishing, the food savory and What comments do you have for the audiences warm and receptive. The group had a wide range of concert other directors about what repertoire opportunities including concert halls, colonial churches, a former convent and works best in Turkey? an exchange with a local school. I know a lot of choral directors like to have a range of repertoire when The tour began in where the group members started their love they go on international tours, affair with the local food, which was fantastic and flavorful throughout the and I would say that is essential in tour. Mount Royal had the opportunity to sing for a full and enthusiastic Turkey. Our program went from slow, audience in the recital hall of the Palacio de Bellas Artes, a venue that welcomes sacred, more cerebral material in the important guest artists from around the world. beginning, to music that was One of the choir’s most memorable experiences was an a little more exchange with the choir at the Conservatory of Music in rhythmic, Queretaro, which was the next stop on the group’s tour. which seemed to work well They performed for one another and soon discovered that since a lot of they had both recently sung Mozart’s Requiem and therefore the audience finished the exchange with a combined performance of the didn’t first few movements. Mount Royal’s concert in Queretaro understand was performed at the Templo de San Antonio, a brightly English. painted colonial church where the group was thrilled with its We even performed overwhelmingly warm reception and large, eager audience. some spirituals Vassar members enjoying The tour continued through San Miguel de Allende, where at the end. a traditional meal at a the group enjoyed another successful concert with an audience of over 500 Throughout rural Turkish village the tour, we people in the Iglesia Las Monjas. From there, the choir visited the colonial silver received many positive comments mining town of Guanajuato, where they performed in the central theater, from audience members regarding Teatro Juarez, a gorgeous, gilded concert hall reminiscent of the stunning opera our repertoire. houses of Europe. The singers were given an evening tour of the town center by What were some of the unique an estudiantina (a student minstrel singer), who sang, told jokes and led them cultural opportunities that Vassar around the windy streets and lively squares of Guanajuato. encountered on the tour? Guadalajara, the second largest city in Mexico, was the final stop on the Along the way to Bursa, we stopped tour. The choir did some last minute shopping in the classy crafts center of and had a traditional lunch at the Tlaquepaque and performed one final time at the Convento del Carmen, home of a rural Turkish family. A little old woman sat on the floor and a beautiful former convent turned arts center. The convent now houses an hand-rolled dough that resembled a art gallery and hosts classical music crepe and then put cheese, potatoes “In my opinion, any group concerts, poetry readings and theatrical and vegetables in it and placed it that is looking for a different performances. The choir was very well into the fireplace. So while it took a kind of tour – one filled with received and the audience was standing- long time to feed each of us, it was a room only. wonderfully intimate experience and a culture that diverges from also was a great meal. the one that we are used to Mexico is an amazing mix of architectural I just can’t say enough good things – will absolutely love Turkey. and scenic beauty paired alongside great about our ACFEA couriers, Ilker and The people are incredibly cultural richness. The members of the Esra, who were both from Turkey. gracious, there is so much to Mount Royal Youth Choir learned a great They were amazing and more than do and see, and it is unlike deal musically and were thrilled to have half of my group was in tears when visited a country that was so interesting we had to leave them at the end of anything else you will ever and rewarding, yet so close to home. the tour. For me, it was an important experience.” Mexico was a remarkable experience that part of the trip that the group got Cara Grieco, Tour Participant to know, learn from and bond with Vassar College Women’s Chorus changed the way many from the choir these two extraordinary people from saw Mexico and saw the world. another country.

 www.acfea.com Overseas Staff

NICK ABBOTT CLARE LAWRENCE NEIL MCGOWAN RICHARD SAVAGE is an Operations Manager in Bath. is an Operations Manager in is ACFEA’s Representative in is managing Director of ACFEA Nick received his degree in Music London. Clare studied translation Moscow. Neil ran the English Europe, and has been with the at the University of Cambridge and interpreting in French and National Opera Schools and organization since 1970. He gradu- and was organ scholar of Girton Spanish at the University of Kent. Community Touring unit for four ated from Oxford University, where College. Prior to joining ACFEA, he Following periods of study and years. He has acted as a tour leader he sang in Christ Church Cathedral combined post-graduate studies work in Belgium, France and Spain, for American groups around Russia, Choir. He still maintains his profes- in Musicology at the University of she settled in London and started produces concerts of his own (using sional singing career, being a per- Bristol with work as a conductor, her career in the tourism industry. Russian professional performers) in manent member of the Monteverdi organist, accompanist and baritone. She is a keen amateur violinist and Moscow, and is Artistic Consultant Choir since 1971 and of the Gabrieli He has toured throughout much of currently plays in a quartet and with of the Vremena Goda Music Festival and Taverner Consorts amongst Europe, North America and Asia. the West London Sinfonia orchestra. in St. Petersburg. many others. DAN BUCUR is ACFEA’s Representative in Romania, based in Bucharest. Dan graduated from the Economics Studies Academy of Bucharest with a degree in Tourist Marketing and International Relations. Fond of tourism and music, Dan joined ACFEA in 2003 and has already organized many successful ACFEA concerts in venues throughout Romania and has enjoyed introduc- ing the delights of his country to those performing ensembles. TRICIA GEORGE is Head of Operations in London. Before joining ACFEA in 1979, Tricia worked for the British Government Bureau dealing with international exchanges. Educated at Aberdeen University, she has traveled exten- sively in Europe and North America. She sings with the Islington Choral ELFRIEDE LEIMER-RIZZOTTI CARLOTA CASTELLÓ MOLIA BECKY SHAFTOE Society in London. is the Regional Representative in is ACFEA’s Representative in Spain. is an Operations Manager in Italy. Although born in Austria, She studied piano teaching at London. After receiving a degree LEONE GRUEBNER Friede has been ACFEA’s consultant the Conservatorio del Liceo de in Music at Newcastle University, is ACFEA’s Manager in New in Italy since 1983. Before joining Barcelona, and enjoys playing she trained in arts administration Zealand. She has been in the travel ACFEA, she worked for the Austrian classical repertoire and jazz. She at the London Sinfonietta before industry for twenty-eight years, diplomatic service. holds a degree in Public Relations, spending five years organizing having owned a travel agency as Marketing and Publicity from the concerts and education projects for well as managing coach companies LUIS LUCENA University of Barcelona. A native the London Symphony Orchestra. In and she now operates her own is ACFEA’s Representative in Catalan, Carlota has spent time in her role as LSO Tours Manager she inbound tour company. Her singing Portugal, based in Lisbon. Luis has both London and New York and her traveled widely with the Orchestra has spanned a lifetime including received a degree in Engineering, foreign languages include English, across Europe and the USA. Becky twenty years in the Auckland obtained his MBA and set up his French and German. plays the oboe and, prior to joining Dorian Choir and ten years with her own business in Lisbon. He also ACFEA, taught English in Spain. current group, the Orlando Singers. teaches marketing at a private ALINA PERETTI She has been associated with university in the city. Luis has been is ACFEA’s Representative in Poland TOM SPANYOL ACFEA for several years, arranging singing in choirs in Portugal for and has worked for ACFEA since is an Assistant Operations Manager the New Zealand portion of their over 15 years and in 2000 became 1987. Educated in Wrocław, she has in London. Tom has a degree in Australasian Tours. a semi-professional tenor in the a degree in Architecture and Art. English from Robinson College, Symphonic Gulbenkian Foundation Alina worked first as an architect Cambridge, where he sang in the TONY HASTINGS Choir in Lisbon. and then as a qualified tourist Chapel Choir and played french is European Projects Consultant. He guide in four different languages: horn in various ensembles. This is a graduate of Sussex University SYLVIA MARIN Polish, Russian, French and English. was followed by two years of and worked previously in music is ACFEA’s Representative in Latin She has lived in Poland, France, professional singing at St. Thomas’s publishing and artist management. America and France, based in Paris. Switzerland and the United Church in Toronto and Liverpool He sings professionally with the She graduated from Georgia State Kingdom and is a keen piano Cathedral. Tom has enjoyed choir of Bath Abbey, and is also a University with a degree in Business player. traveling in various European member of the Bath Camerata. Administration before moving to countries and Canada, and is France. Since then, she has been SUE PETER currently a member of the London ROBERT LATIMER involved in organizing music is ACFEA’s Representative for Oriana Choir. is ACFEA’s Manager for Australia. tours and accompanying groups Germany. She has a varied back- Robert has been an educator and throughout Latin America and ground in travel administration OLGA YEMELYANOVA businessman, having taught at both the Mediterranean area using her and has worked for the British is ACFEA’s Representative in Russia, primary and secondary levels, and linguistic skills. Tourist Authority and the Welsh based in St. Petersburg. She attend- involved in the photography and Tourist Board. Now living in Berlin, ed a specialist music school and has cinema industries. As an amateur she sings with the Wilmersdorf a diploma in English and German musician, he has sung in choral ensemble ‘Kissi Choir’. Education. Olga received a PhD in groups in addition to performing in Linguistics from Herzen Pedagogical musical and dramatic productions. University of St. Petersburg, where He is well traveled with extensive she teaches English. She is actively experience in organizing and involved in music-making, and conducting study tours of North is a keen American square- and America and Europe. Robert, who contradancer. lives in rural Victoria, has been asso- ciated with ACFEA for over 15 years.

10 North America Staff

AMANDA BAUMAN JAMES SMITH is a tour manager in San Francisco. is a Tour Manager in the New Born in Britain, James earned York office. An Ohio native, she HUGH DAVIES KATE GUELKER-CONE is Managing Director of ACFEA is a Tour Manager in the Seattle his degree in Maritime Shipping performed with the Cleveland from John Moores University North America, based in the San office. She graduated from Orchestra Chorus before receiving in Liverpool. He has traveled Francisco office. Born in England, Pacific Lutheran University where her degree in Music Education from extensively through Europe, Asia Duquesne University, in Pittsburgh. he has a master’s degree from she received a degree in Public and North America. James is an There she was a member of sym- Cambridge, where he sang at King’s Relations with a minor in Vocal avid guitarist, having played for phonic and jazz bands, as well as College under Sir David Willcocks. Music Performance. While at PLU, more than twenty years, plays the the Chamber Singers, with whom Hugh sang professionally in Europe, Kate sang and toured with the mandolin and is learning to play she toured Europe on an ACFEA including with the Monteverdi Pacific Lutheran University Choir the banjo as well. Since relocating concert tour. Amanda currently Choir, before teaching music in of the West. After college, Kate to the USA, James has worked sings with and serves on the board Australia. He now performs as a spent two years in the Peace Corps, solely in arranging performing of the Young New Yorkers’ Chorus. soloist and with several professional volunteering in Guinea. She has arts tours. Her travels have included excursions ensembles in the Bay Area, and also lived in Budapest, and has to Europe, Australia, Africa and serves on the boards of the traveled extensively throughout Central and South America. American Bach Soloists and Chorus Europe, Africa, Asia and North Unseen but America. America. Kate currently sings with the Seattle Symphony Chorale. Indispensable… San Francisco New York The Tour Managers are ACFEA’s front line, but there are many Seattle others in our organization who London make our tours happen. We gratefully acknowledge the Auckland mighty efforts of: Barcelona Bill Barber ROBYN GOLDSTEIN Group Travel Manager Bath is a Tour Manager in the New York CHRISTINA MARTIN Berlin office. After graduating with a is a Tour Manager based in the Papuna Bersenadze degree in Psychology from Boston California office. Born in San Administrative Assistant Bucharest University, she lived in London and Francisco, she graduated from traveled extensively in Europe and the University of California, San Christine McLaughlin Lisbon Asia. A woodwind and keyboard Diego, with a degree in French, Finance Manager Melbourne player, her first touring experience and has worked with ACFEA since Greg Newell was as solo clarinetist with her high 1992. Her travels include study Marketing Manager Moscow school orchestra in Spain; more abroad programs in France and Paris recently, she has played in several Central America, competitive tours Ken Olson musicals and is a clarinetist in the throughout Europe with a track Operations Manager St. Petersburg Williamsburg Community Orchestra team, and trips to South America, Venice in New York. Russia, China, Australia and New Zealand. She is currently singing with the University of California Alumni Chorus in Berkeley. SEATTLE Kate Guelker-Cone (800) 627-2141 (425) 776-3273 123 Second Avenue S. Suite 105 Edmonds, WA 98020 [email protected] Farewell, Jane ACFEA was very sad to say NEW YORK goodbye to Jane Kruse at the SAN FRANCISCO Amanda Bauman end of this past season. Jane Hugh Davies Robyn Goldstein had been with us for six years, Christina Martin (800) 886-6995 working in our New York, James Smith (212) 564-6400 Portland and Seattle offices. (800) 886-2055 39 W 32nd Street (415) 453-6619 She contributed enormously to Suite 1205 the development of ACFEA and 777 Grand Avenue, Suite 206 New York, NY 10001 earned the greatest respect of San Rafael, CA 94901 [email protected] her colleagues and clients. We [email protected] sincerely thank her, and wish her a very happy and fulfilling future. We’ll miss you Jane!

11 www.acfea.com Alaska Choral Cruise with Duain University of Richmond 1971 Tour: Wolfe and Sir David Willcocks 35th Anniversary Celebrations

This summer, nearly 200 singers from the United States, James Erb’s 1971 arrangement Canada, England and New Zealand enjoyed a week-long of Shenandoah is a perennial Alaska cruise aboard one of Holland America’s newest favorite amongst ACFEA’ s ships, the ms Zuiderdam, while rehearsing with Sir David touring choirs, appearing very Willcocks and regularly in repertoire lists. Duain Wolfe. Despite its renown, many are There were unaware that it was written for two sets of an ACFEA European tour by the rehearsals, one University of Richmond choir, for children and who sang it from handwritten one for adults, manuscript photocopies. The all held while courier for that tour was Richard the ship was at Dr. Erb & Richard Savage Savage, now Managing Director sea so as not to of ACFEA Europe, who sang preclude any with the choir in their concerts. shore excursions. Thirty-five years on, in April 2006, more than half of the The children’s original choir reassembled in Richmond for a weekend section consisted reunion during which Dr. Erb presented Richard Savage of members of with a signed and framed copy of the best-selling piece. the Central Carolina Children’s Chorus and the San Diego Plans for the 40th anniversary are already under way! Children’s Choir, while the adult section combined members from nearly forty different choral groups. All the singers enjoyed learning from the two eminent conductors as they Williams and three works by Sir David Willcocks. The prepared for the culmination of the tour: a concert held on concert ended with everyone on stage, singing Come, Thou the final evening in Vancouver’s Christ Church Cathedral. Fount of Every Blessing, arranged by Mack Wilberg, and Dona Nobis Pacem, from the Mass in B-minor by J.S. Bach: When they weren’t rehearsing for the upcoming concert, a powerful and emotional ending to a wonderful week. everyone benefited from all that Alaska has to offer, with stops in Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Glacier Bay The Alaska Choral Cruise was ACFEA’s third choral National Park. Many members of the group enjoyed a cruise and plans are already being made for a fourth cruise wide range of excursions, including whale watching, gold sometime in 2008. If you are interested in participating in panning, sea kayaking and floatplane trips, while others this unique event, please contact us at (800) 627-2141 or simply took in the amazing scenery from aboard the ship. email [email protected]. The Vancouver performance was a great success, especially Sir David considering that many of the choristers were strangers to Willcocks and one another just a few days before the concert. Sir David Duain Wolfe Willcocks and Duain Wolfe both conducted pieces for the children’s choir, the adult choir and the two combined groups at the end of the concert. The program included choral classics by Byrd, Brahms, Copland, Haydn, Vaughan

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