. tour2003/2004 Performing Arts notesNews from Around the World www.acfea.com Dallas

As highlighted in this newsletter, ACFEA arranges Symphony customized performing arts tours throughout the world. From singing in Westminster Chorus Abbey to a joint concert in Sydney, ACFEA can make it happen. Sold-Out While we were only able to include a few of our tours in Europe in the newsletter, we would like to thank all of our groups for making 2003 a Following the trail blazed very memorable year. in 2002 by The Washington Chorus (conductor Robert Shafer), the Dallas Symphony 2 Chorus visited Munich, Christ Church Cathedral Prague and Vienna and Houston Choir added Budapest. Conductor Dallas Symphony Chorus performs to a full house at Smetana Hall in Prague Shorecrest High School David Davidson said, “This Marching Band is my sixth performance tour to Europe and I 4 have never experienced a full house for one Amherst College Longy School of Music concert, let alone every concert.” Young Performers Embraces Chamber Orchestra As with The Washington Chorus tour, Dallas 5 performed in the Stephansdom in Vienna, San Francisco where very few concerts are permitted. Japanese Culture Boys Chorus ACFEA is honored to have been asked to As the airplane wheels lifted up, the Amherst Nevada Union High present one first-class symphony chorus with School Choir orchestra every year in aid of the cathedral College Women’s Chorus and Glee Club had 6 restoration fund. The proceeds each year a feeling they were in for a life-changing ex- Kantorei, The Singing have been over 20,000, a magnificent perience. Upon arriving in Tokyo and seeing Boys of Rockford, IL contribution to a truly magnificent build- the many lights and tall buildings, the choirs Citrus Singers of ing. The tradition will continue in 2004 with knew their long journey was all worth it. Citrus College the Sacramento Choral Society (conductor, Amherst College visited several different 7 Donald Kendrick), while 2005 is still available. areas of Japan. They started in Tokyo, then Xavier University Choir The Dallas chorus started its traveled far 8 tour in Munich, performing north to Santa Rosa High School Tono and Concert Choir in the remarkable basilica at Kanegasaki 9 Ottobeuren. This huge church, and back Kettering Children’s dwarfing its surrounding village, Choir and Contra Costa seems a daunting space to fill. down via Children’s Chorus However, such is the tradition of the famous 10 Sunday afternoon concerts that bullet train Overseas Staff the right chorus, performing to Kyoto 11 the right repertoire, can draw a and Nara, North American Staff crowd from up to 100 miles away with some 12 – as did Dallas. But what was by members no means normal was that the Amherst students enjoying Japanese visiting On the Transmigration cuisine at a Buddhist temple in Kyoto of Souls Premiere audience, rather than standing in respectful Hiroshima Cruise and Sing with silence at the end, broke with tradition as well. This enabled the group to see a wide Sir David Willcocks Dallas . continued on page 4 Amherst College . continued on page 3 Houston Choir Sings at Westminster Abbey

Well known Houston musician Robert Church traveled to London Simpson led his choir from Christ where they sang Evensong Church Cathedral on a 14-day tour of at Westminster Abbey on England in July, having asked ACFEA Monday and Tuesday. to find opportunities to sing during Many church choirs express an regular services in fine churches. Since interest in singing the services Christ Church Cathedral’s services at in an English cathedral while home follow the Anglican cathedral the resident choir is on vaca- format, it would tion. With be relatively easy enough – and potentially “This trip was a delight. lead–time, very rewarding – to There is nothing that we ACFEA fit into the daily can make routine of services would have changed.” all the in England. Robert Simpson, Director The Choir of necessary Their first ser- Christ Church Cathedral arrange- vice was Choral Houston, TX ments Eucharist at for this Clare College, increasingly Cambridge. The beautiful chapel, popular practice. Choirs do next door to King’s College Chapel need to be thoroughly famil- and the home of Tim Brown, (and iar with the musical require- earlier of John Rutter), was a memo- ments of the Anglican liturgy, rable place to start. This was followed however. We were pleased by a week’s residency at Norwich with the opportunities we Cathedral, singing Evensong every were able to find for Bob this day and Choral Eucharist as well time and he’s already asked on Sunday morning. Straight after us to look for possibilities Christ Church Cathedral Choir at Westminster Abbey Evensong on Sunday afternoon, Christ in 2006. Shorecrest High School Marching Band Delights Crowds in Ireland and England An Interview with Dave Johnson, Director, Shorecrest High School Marching Band, Shoreline, WA

How many tours have you been What was the most enjoyable part of to be one step ahead, which helped involved with in the past? your trip? minimize any difficult circumstances. This is my third tour with ACFEA. Performing in the St Patrick’s Day What unique cultural experiences did In 1994, we went to Ireland and Parade in Dublin was the highlight. you have while on tour? Scotland and four years later toured It was amazing to see the positive London and Ireland. response of the crowd and how Since our tour coincided with the the students reacted to the crowd’s outbreak of the war in Iraq, the stu- What is the biggest challenge of put- applause. The kids were absolutely dents got the unique experience of ting together a tour of this size? glowing after the parade! the international perspective You have to make sure the band on the war. But as Americans we represents the band program and the How do you manage over 150 high were treated kindly at each of our high school well. The performances school students on a trip? tour destinations. need to be appealing to both the We had a lot of chaperones, some- parents who come on the trip and the thing like one per every fifteen stu- Among other cultural highlights for community in which you are perform- dents. The couriers that ACFEA pro- the students was attending a disco ing. You also need to take lots of vided were excellent. ACFEA planned night in Dublin with all the St Patrick’s extra time after school to get ready the trip very well and always seemed Day Parade participants. This enabled for the trip.

2 3 www.acfea.com Amherst College . continued from page 1 in the mountains. The group shared variety of cities, both small and large, its music with local students, and the “I have no reservations and learn a little about the culture students in return not only shared about recommending from the people they met and from their music but also performed tradi- the staff of ACFEA. the unique sites they saw. tional Japanese dancing and taught I will certainly use the Amherst group origami. The The Amherst choirs were fortunate ACFEA in three Amherst choirs’ concert in Tono was to meet and sing with local choirs in an overwhelming success with over years when Castleton almost every place they visited. The nine hundred in attendance, one of travels again. choirs performed a joint concert with the largest turnouts ever for a perfor- Many thanks.” the Doshisha Glee Club in Tokyo. mance in the town! Amherst College has a strong connec- Randy Haldeman, Director Castleton State College Chorus tion with Doshisha University, whose The group was also thrilled to meet Castleton, VT founder is an alumnus. The choirs the people in Amherst’s sister city of also gave a joint concert with the Kanegasaki. Once again, the students Glee Club in Kyoto. Another fantas- were treated like superstars as they sampling of local cuisine. The stu- tic opportunity for the choirs was to attended several ceremonies welcom- share music with some local choirs ing them. The group really enjoyed dents had an opportunity to have in Amherst’s sister city, Kanegasaki. staying two nights in the homes of lo- sushi, sashimi, soba noodles, tem- Additionally, the group’s most moving cal Japanese families, an educational pura, okonomiyaki and shabu-shabu performance was of Confutatis and yet fun challenge as the students had (do-it-yourself cooking). This variety Lacrymosa from Mozart’s Requiem to prepare in advance to learn the served as a wonderful example of with the Tamagawa University Choir. many customs associated with staying the wide assortment of tastes and The joint choirs filled the stage with in a Japanese home. textures Japanese cuisine has to of- 140 voices, unifying the cultures of fer. The group’s final dinner was at a East and West through song. The choirs also had a chance to enjoy traditional Japanese restaurant with the surrounding scenery. One very spe- One of the most fascinating experi- tatami floors and each room cial afternoon took place in northern overlooked the finely manicured ences of the tour was the chance to Japan where the choir spent a relaxing visit the rural area of Tono in north- Japanese garden. It was at this final time gliding along a river through a ern Japan. The town had never had dinner that the group members re- beautiful gorge. The boatmen steered such a large group of foreigners stay lated that they had had a spectacular the boats with a large stick and sang there before, so it rolled out the red experience learning about Japanese traditional Japanese folk songs, which carpet for the group’s arrival. The culture and had found it most re- was a truly moving experience. choirs stayed in a traditional Japanese warding sharing their music in such a suikouen, which is a hot springs resort No tour is complete without the wonderful country.

them to mingle with students from around the world. We also got to experience a wide range of activities while in London that included sight- seeing, a visit to Warwick Castle, an Elizabethan-style banquet and attending a theatre performance in the West End. Any advice for other high school bands looking to travel overseas? Transporting a large group plus equipment and instruments can be a daunting task. It really helps to have a very professional and experienced company like ACFEA make all of the Shorescrest High School Marching Band in front of the Albert Memorial in London arrangements.

2 3 www.acfea.com Dallas . continued from page 1 Young Performers Chamber and applauded enthusiastically. Next stop was Prague, with an en Orchestra of the Longy School route stop in Pilzn, (the home of Pilsner), to make a scientific compari- of Music Warms up in Spain son between the real thing and, say, Coors Light. After having enjoyed For those who live in New England, Their first late night behind them, the a free day in Prague, the concert February conjures up not only im- group began their day with a con- was given in Smetana Hall, one of ages of snowy ski cert given by the city’s two premier venues. It was slopes and cozy the Orquestra the chorus’ first chance to perform fireplaces, but also Simfonica de Mendelssohn’s Lobgesang, the choral dreams of sunny Barcelona, a last movement of his second sympho- skies, palm trees true highlight ny, which rounded out the program and temperatures and inspira- of Rachmaninoff: Ave Maria, Mozart: above freezing. tion for these Ave Verum Corpus, and Mozart’s The students of the budding young Requiem. Less formal, but equally Young Performers musicians. This poignant, musical memories were Chamber Orchestra also gave the created singing in Melk Monastery, at the Longy students even the delightful village of Pögstall and on stage in the Musikverein during a School of Music George Ogata with Longy YPCO at the more motiva- would be the envy Iglesia de San Miguel de los Reyes in Valencia tion for their private tour (this was surely the first of all their friends next concert performance of Witness to add its as they were about to depart for the at the University of Barcelona where tones to the esteemed resonances of southeast coast of Spain on their first they would again have several en- Strauss, Mahler and Brahms). concert tour with ACFEA. cores requested. After the triumph in the The Young Performers Chamber One of the most memorable experi- Stephansdom, a hydrofoil ride down Orchestra (YPCO) is one of many ences for the players this week was the Danube took the group to performing ensembles at the Longy visiting El Vendrell, the home of Pau Budapest. An all-too-short stay in this School of Music located in Cambridge, Casals who is probably the great- spectacular city culminated in a per- Massachusetts. George Ogata, the est cellist of the twentieth century. formance in the Liszt Academy, the orchestra’s director, first visited Spain The chance to visit the area to which most prestigious hall in the country. on a sight inspection with ACFEA Casals was so attached and which A capacity crowd heard the chorus representatives in November of 2002. provided him with so much creative at its best and continued applauding After seeing the venues, the hotels, energy was a once-in-a-lifetime event. until the visitors felt obliged to break and meeting the locals, Mr Ogata was For many of these young performers with custom and give the audience convinced that this tour would be a this stopover en route to Valencia was the encore they were demanding: success! a true act of homage. Lauridsen’s O Magnum Mysterium. The orchestra first arrived in YPCO then arrived in Valencia and A boisterous farewell dinner was Barcelona where they would stay spent the first day sightseeing. They followed all too soon by the depar- for the majority of the tour. Having then had the opportunity to play with ture of the first set of buses for the toured before, the orchestra knew a group of extremely talented young airport. Many of the artistic principals that this time they would concentrate musicians from the Conservatorio of the chorus felt that the ambience on one region and get to know the Superior de Musica in Valencia. of a local beer cellar was more appro- town, the people and the culture. Not As well as performing the Die priate than a mundane hotel room riding on a bus 10 hours every day Meistersinger overture together, the during their last night in Europe, a was certainly an added bonus! best part for YPCO was being able to decision they were still not regretting After a morning of sightseeing in the hear their Spanish counterparts play as they went through the security sun, the orchestra headed to Reus for Manuel de Falla’s Three-Cornered check at Budapest airport. their first rehearsal and concert in the Hat. The orchestras also got to share Teatro Fortuny. A recently renovated a meal, which gave these American “I feel privileged to have concert hall, the Teatro Fortuny pro- students a chance to connect socially vided excellent acoustics that immedi- with their Spanish colleagues. traveled to and sung in ately had the players ready to work. these beautiful countries. They performed so well that the YPCO’s time in Spain had surpassed I’m sure the girls have expectations with exceptional packed house requested five encores! memories they will never The orchestra was delighted that this concerts, astounding sights and was one of the most enthusiastic au- new friends. Though their tans forget!” diences they had ever played for, and would fade soon enough, the Susan McMane, Director amazed that it was 11pm by the time students’ memories of Spain would San Francisco Girls Chorus the first encore was requested. last a lifetime.

4 5 www.acfea.com San Francisco Boys Chorus Sings at Major Venues in Italy and France Interview with Ian Robertson, Director, San Francisco Boys Chorus Since you have taken fabulous. They were blown and received a standing ovation at groups on numerous tours away by the Louvre. I was the end. The venue had wonderful before, how was this tour also very pleased that we acoustics that made it a magnificent different from previous got to travel by train, as this place to perform. trips? is something that is not very We sang at major venues common here in the States What advice would you give to such as St Peter’s Basilica but a way of life in Europe. other directors of children’s choirs in Rome, the Cathedrale How did the boys like who are interested in taking their Notre-Dame in Paris and European food? groups to Europe? La Madeleine. It was a The restaurants worked out Plan an itinerary that won’t exhaust great experience for the well. The food was well var- the kids too much and pick a rep- boys to perform in some ied. ACFEA made sure that ertoire that can be performed well of the most esteemed venues in all the group had at least one meal in when the kids are a little travel of Europe. each destination where the food was weary. Spend more time in each city particular to that area. What did the chorus enjoy the most and take the opportunity to get to about the tour? What was the most memorable per- know the city a little. Also, travel as They really enjoyed the sightseeing in formance? light as possible. each city, especially Rome where they La Madeleine. We sang Italian seemed very engaged with the differ- Renaissance and Baroque music to an Where do you plan to go next? ences between Ancient and Christian audience several hundred strong. We We are planning to go to Japan in Rome. Our tour guides in Rome were performed for seventy–five minutes either 2005 or 2006. Nevada Union High School Choir Returns Home Triumphant with First Prize

The Nevada Union High School Choir of Grass Valley, magnificent Matthias Church on CA returned home triumphant after a two-week tour the hilltop overlooking this remark- of Germany, Hungary and Austria that culminated able city, and a performance in the in the choir winning First Prize at the International town of Visegrad where the students Youth and Music Festival in Vienna. Pride mixed with were also able to participate in the nostalgia for director Rod Baggett who was a mem- International Palace Games, a ber of the Nevada Union High School Choir in 1981 local festival celebrating medieval when the choir first participated in this festival and pageantry. took home Second Prize. As in 1981, the choir was The final week of the tour was spent welcomed home by a police escort and thousands of in Vienna where there was ample cheering community members. time to partake in the delights of this The choir began their journey in Munich with a tour musical city. The International Youth of this beautiful city and an excursion to nearby and Music Festival arranged sightsee- Neuschwanstein Castle. Their first performance took ing excursions to St Stephen’s Square place in the small parish church of Bergheim just and Schönbrunn and Eszterhazy outside of Salzburg where they were warmly Palaces as well as organizing all social welcomed by the congregation. After two days en- events. The festival facilitated op- joying the sites of Salzburg, the choir continued on portunities for the choir to present to another Austrian city, Graz, where they presented performances in several communities their second performance at the Stadtpfarrkirche. neighboring Vienna, but it was win- The choir then had the opportunity to explore the ning First Prize in the choral competi- lovely city of Budapest as well as visit some of the tion that will certainly stand out in delightful towns on the Danube River. Highlights the memories of all the singers who em- included a Mass participation and concert in the barked on this musical adventure.

4 5 www.acfea.com Kantorei, The Singing Boys Citrus College of Rockford, Illinois, Travel Singers Tour and Perform in New Zealand South America

A letter from Joel Ross, Music Director, Kantorei Having toured Europe for 35 years, On behalf of the boys, staff, chap- had many interchanges with a variety director Ben Bollinger decided that erones, and board of directors of of musical ensembles. It was such a it was time for a fresh taste. Thus, it Kantorei, I would like to extend my treat to witness young people being was decided that the Citrus Singers of deepest thanks and appreciation brought together in the special bond Citrus College for the myriad efforts in making the of making music together and for in Glendora, choir’s concert tour of New Zealand each other. We enjoyed meeting with California a success. Our organization can be the members and staff of the differ- would travel to justifiably proud ent groups and South America the many individu- of the accomplish- “Thanks for facilitating the on their 2003 ments of the boys als who were so concert tour. and young men tour so well. I’m sure the helpful in making What a great who represented boys, staff, chaperones and the performances decision it was! our community friends will remember their such a success. The students abroad. experiences for many years We soon realized got to enjoy to come.” while on tour that such activities ACFEA’s profes- New Zealand is a as rappelling, sionalism in Joel Ross beautiful country, horseback rid- handling the Music Director, Kantorei Singing Boys of Rockford, IL and the Kiwis are ing, snorkeling, Citrus Singers take a break in the waters near Paraty, Brazil concert, travel, warm, gracious, dancing, yacht- housing, meal and generous ing and swimming, and sing seven full and special activ- people. concerts in some of the most memo- ity arrangements rable venues that South America has Undoubtedly, each was quite evident to offer. during our trav- Kantorei fam- els. Representing ily made sacrifices In late June, the stu- TraveLine New so that their son dents packed up their Zealand, Leone could participate clothes and headed Gruebner and in this experience. for Argentina, where her daughter, Yet, the entire their adventure began Stephanie Belz, group will carry in the capital city of were our efficient, memories with Buenos Aires. Their friendly, and en- them for a lifetime first introduction to Kantorei in front of Bob’s Peak in Queenstown thusiastic couriers – whether awed South American flair by the grandeur throughout the came in the form of of the Milford Sound, witnessing tour. The directors and chaperones, a tango show where firsthand the culture of the Maoris, or too, were flexible and understanding heels kicked, hair flew, singing an impromptu concert in an with regards to the unique needs of torsos twisted and ac- airport terminal. Kantorei is fortu- cordions pumped as the a touring group of adolescent boys nate to have had the opportunity to performers successfully (and their music director whose “inner perform in New Zealand and we will displayed this national At the Teatro Muncipal in São Paulo, Brazil child” occasionally came to the fore). treasure the friendships we formed dance of Argentina. Through ACFEA’s contacts, the boys during our time spent together. After spending three wonderful nights in Argentina, Citrus shipped “This was a wonderful tour for all involved. The cities were out (literally!) to neighboring Uruguay. Truly a highlight of the easy to get around, provided fascinating contrasts to one tour was the group’s concert at the another and were rich in music and in history. Universidad Catholica in Montevideo. The pacing of the concert schedule was perfect and As if beautiful acoustics and a full the venues were all fantastic.” house weren’t enough, these young people had the unique opportunity to Brad Wells, Director Williams College Concert Choir, Williamstown, MA perform alongside of the choir of the university and a local youth choir, the

6 7 www.acfea.com Coral Juventus. Bollinger was invited to conduct Durufle’s Ubi Caritas for Xavier University Choir’s this combined choir, a wonderful experience for singers and audience alike. The group’s stay in Uruguay was Mission to Honduras rounded out by a relaxing day at the An interview with Tom Merill, Director, Xavier University Choirs Rancho del Castello, an active ranch in In May of 2003, the Xavier University employed, there was a service re- the Uruguayan hills where the group Choir, along quirement. The idea enjoyed horseback riding, rappelling, with several se- came when I was wagon rides and visits to the castle. lected Cincinnati looking for a service The next morning brought the group area high school opportunity for that to São Paulo, students, made high school choir. the largest history by being When I took the job city in South the first ACFEA at Xavier University, America. After group to travel I decided that the being treated to the Central mission choir idea fit to music and American in very well with the dancing by country of service ideals there. local music Honduras and Both colleagues and students, perform mission administration at Citrus took to work at Mission Xavier were very the stage and Honduras. With supportive of the wowed the the help of the Tom Merrill (r) at Mission Honduras idea. I even received Brazilian audi- Comayagua a grant to fund the ence with their Museum, the Escuela Nacional de la travel for eight of my Xavier students. fine tuned Musica de Tegucigalpa, and our con- Citrus Singers take a break in the waters near Paraty, Brazil Why did you choose Mission repertoire. The tacts at the US Embassy in Honduras, Honduras? following afternoon Citrus visited the ACFEA was able to provide the group cathedral, where, after a spontane- with this unique blend. A teacher I worked with before coming ous sing in the main hall, they were to Xavier had been to the mission sev- What was the original catalyst that invited in to the netherworlds of the eral times. He had very positive things made you decide to investigate doing crypt, a place not often to say about the mission, its work, the a combination mission trip and choir seen by tourist eyes. staff, and especially the children with tour? whom we would be working. Finally, the day they’d At a previous school where I was all been waiting for had Xavier . continued on Page 8 come. RIO OR BUST! After a short hour on- board the plane, Rio de sky, Paraty is paradise. The group per- vacant beaches. These sufficiently well Janeiro came into view, formed one last concert to a stand- heeled travelers regretfully boarded with its stunning moun- ing-room-only crowd at the Igrezia the buses the next morning and tains, green forests, Martiz, as part of the Winter Festival. departed for home, taking with them white sands, and blue, The mayor and the minister of culture a whole new experience, millions of endless oceans. Without turned up for this event, making this memories and, we suspect, a bit of sand in their shoes. pause, everyone scat- truly a concert to remember. tered to the beaches, To top it all off, one of the most the shops and the memorable experiences from the tour At the Teatro Muncipal in São Paulo, Brazil restaurants. Suntanned “I have used other com- occurred on the last full day in South and happy, they man- panies in my thirty-five America. Just after breakfast, the aged to come inside long enough group boarded a fifty-foot schoo- years at Citrus College, to sing more concerts, including a ner, and took to the waters around but I find ACFEA to be concert at Christ Church Anglican Paraty. Calm water, ocean breezes, the brightest and the best. Cathedral on the Fourth of July (also palms and even monkeys greeted Congratulations on a very the birthday of Señor Bollinger!). this young group of travelers in a fine organization and I look Two more successful concerts under way that said, “You don’t really want forward to working with their belt, Citrus headed out to their to leave tomorrow, do you?” Every you in the future.” last port of call, a small town called last bit of energy this group had was Paraty, nested between hills and Ben Bollinger, Director spent doing cannonballs and double Citrus College Singers ocean south of Rio. With its quiet cob- flips off the bow of the boat, snorkel- Glendora, CA blestone streets, blue ocean, and clear ing with striped fish and exploring

6 7 www.acfea.com Xavier . continued from page 7 How was the reception from the Santa Rosa High School Honduran people, especially to your musical performances? Concert Choir’s Journey We were extremely well received at all of our concert venues! We sang Through Ireland and Britain for a group of kids at the mission. The performances in Comayagua written by Jessie LaGoy, Tour Participant, Santa Rosa, CA and Tegucigalpa earned us invita- The trip to be very appreciated. We were told tions to sing again when we return to started that they don’t often get to hear Honduras. We were even invited to with some foreign choirs anymore, so it was sing for the completion of the renova- corny Irish nice to sing for them. In Armagh, we tion of the Cathedral in Comayagua. jokes told were able to walk around the streets Sadly, it was 2 months away and none to us by our and spend some time in a small, Irish of us could stay that long! cheerful town. This was my favorite day of the airport bus trip. We saw live cricket being played driver, but “To be able to help in a park, went into shops and had excitement and anticipation about fun getting lost. was reward enough. the trip that lay ahead were the only To add our singing things on our mind. We were imagin- We were all looking forward to our to the experience was icing ing the green rolling hills of Ireland next stop, Dublin. We sang in two on the cake.” and the quaint little towns and streets churches, ate in three good restau- of Europe. Some people had been rants, and had a combination bus Tom Merrill, Director and walking tour. We went to the Xavier University Choirs overseas before while others had nev- Cincinnati, OH er left the country. When the plane Wicklow Mountains on our last day in left the runway, it didn’t matter. We Dublin, and they were gorgeous, but were all going to Ireland and Britain Dublin went by like a snap. Do you have any suggestions for together, led by our directors at other schools who have a director, Dan Earl. service requirement or would like to After a plane do mission work? transfer in London Absolutely! Plan well in advance. and a bus drive in Check with your local churches or Scotland, we arrived civic organizations to see who has in the charming city traveled and performed mission work of Edinburgh. Our abroad. Plan a benefit concert before hotel was comfort- you leave to collect cash, clothes, toys, able and beautiful. or whatever the needs the particu- That night, we ate lar mission may have. If any of the our first meal in students who are traveling have a Scotland at the Royal Santa Rosa High School at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod pediatrician, dentist, or other medical Overseas Club, lo- professional as a parent, often times a cated on the upper floor of a very en- Before we knew it, we were on a mission can use this support as well. chanting old building. During dinner, ferry to Wales, which, of all the places a lot of meat and potatoes, we saw on the trip, is where I would most like Would you go back to Honduras? some Scottish dancers out the win- to go back. We sang in the Llangollen In a heartbeat. The relationships my dow and across the street. We sang International Eisteddfod along with students were able to make with the in Edinburgh Castle two days later other choirs from around the world. children there were profound. It is which was wonderful. The bus tour Then it was off to London for our one thing to hear about someone be- was interesting, the restaurants were final night. We went on a nice walk- ing destitute, but another to experi- good (we ate things besides Scottish ing tour and had a good dinner in the ence that reality in person. To be able food!), and our singing went well. original Hard Rock Café. It was a fun to help was reward enough. To add We took a ferry from Scotland to evening but unfortunately we had our singing to the experience was Northern Ireland where we would to leave for the airport in the early icing on the cake. The people were spend two nights in Belfast and one morning and say goodbye to Europe. so friendly! The dollar went a long in a little town called Armagh. The We were off, flying back to our way, too. We will definitely go back problems in Northern Ireland were homes, the countries we had in 2005. Most assuredly a trip worth evident in Belfast. Nonetheless, we just visited quickly becoming fond repeating. sang at St Peter’s Church and seemed memories.

8 9 www.acfea.com Ohio and California Children’s Choirs Perform in Sydney with Australian and Norwegian Groups

By the time the Kettering Children’s Bairnsdale is a small country town, Choir (Natalie DeHorn, director) had offering a glimpse of an Australia “I was crying, they returned from their tour of Britain in that most visitors do not get to were crying, they were 2000, plans were already being made see. The town is situated in beauti- smiling.You realize a magi- for a visit to Australia in 2003. A year ful countryside with a network of cal experience occurred, a or so later, the Contra Costa Children’s lakes and rivers dividing it from the Chorus (Iris Lamanna, ocean. There is plenty of music in magical ensemble.” director) started the area, as the Iris Lamanna, Director talking to ACFEA Kettering group Contra Costa Children’s Chorus Pleasant Hill, CA about a tour of found out in their Australia and New joint concert with Zealand. Purely Nagle College nights in Auckland, having a work- coincidentally, the (their homestay shop with David Hamilton and giving two groups were hosts) and Lavalla a joint concert with the Auckland scheduled to be in Catholic College Girls’ Choir and the Auckland Boys’ Sydney at exactly Choir. Choir. Next, it was on to Rotorua. This the same time: From there they town, a few hours south of Auckland, Kettering ap- drove to Canberra, is the center of both Maori culture proaching from Australia’s capital. and thermal activity, offering plenty the south and Two more nights of to do and learn. Then it was time for Contra Costa from homestays, this time the 75 members of the choir group the north. ACFEA with families from and the accompanying 28 parents thought that this Radford College, and friends to return to Auckland and would be a fine gave these young wrap up their amazing trip with a opportunity to Ohio singers greater flight back to San Francisco. revive an idea insight into Australian of several years back home life. They when we arranged a meeting of sev- joined with the college choir in their eral Australian children’s choirs and Canberra concert at the Australian the Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus. National University. Next stop was This time, a magnificent concert was Sydney, where they met California’s arranged in Verbrugghen Hall at the Contra Costa Chorale. Sydney Conservatorium on Music, a Contra Costa started their tour in beautiful hall much better suited in Brisbane, 500 miles north of Sydney size, facilities and acoustics to choral and pleasantly warm in the middle music than the more famous Opera of the Southern Hemisphere win- House. The two American choirs ter. They encountered Australian were joined by the Sydney Children’s wildlife at the Lone Pine Sanctuary, Choir and, at the last minute, by the had a dinner cruise and spent a Sandefjord Girl Choir from Norway. day at Surfers Paradise. Their musi- Of this concert, Lamanna said, “I was cal activities included a workshop crying, they were crying, they were with noted Australian composer and ACFEA is proud to be recognized smiling. You realize a magical experi- choir director Graeme Morton and as an officially appointed travel ence occurred, a magical ensemble”. a concert in St John’s Cathedral with partner for the International Kettering started their tour in the Imogen Children’s Chorale. On Church Music Festival, presented Melbourne, where they had an op- their way down the coast to Sydney, annually by FestCorps, Inc. portunity to explore this sophisticated they stopped in the town of Port June 23-26, 2004 city and visit the Healesville Sanctuary Macquarie where they gave a concert Coventry, England to enjoy close encounters with with the Hastings Youth Choir. Australian wildlife. They gave a joint June 15-18, 2005 After the joint concert in Sydney, concert with the Australian Children’s Bern, Switzerland Kettering returned home to Ohio to Choir before heading east along the dream of their 2006 tour to Austria For more information, coast to Bairnsdale, where they en- and Italy, and Contra Costa continued please call us at 1-800-886-2055 joyed two nights of homestays. to New Zealand. They spent three

8 9 www.acfea.com Overseas Staff

NICHOLAS ABBOTT LEONE GRUEBNER ROBERT LATIMER SUE PETER, is an Operations Manager in is ACFEA’s Manager in New is ACFEA’s Manager for Australia. ACFEA’s Representative for London. He was an organ scholar Zealand. She has been in the Robert has been an educator Germany, has a varied back- at Girton College, Cambridge, travel industry for 22 years, hav- and businessman, having taught ground in travel administration and has recently completed ing owned a travel agency as well at both primary and secondary and has worked for the British a post-graduate degree in as managing coach companies levels, and involved in the pho- Tourist Authority and the Musicology at Bristol University. and she now operates her own tography and cinema industries. Welsh Tourist Board. Now He combined his post-graduate inbound tour company. Her As an amateur musician, he has living in Berlin, she sings with studies with repetiteur work for a singing has spanned a lifetime in- sung in choral groups in addition the Wilmersdorf ensemble local children’s opera group and cluding 20 years in the Auckland to performing in musical and dra- ‘Kissi Choir’. the Phoenix Choir in Bristol and Dorian Choir and five years with matic productions. He is well trav- until joining ACFEA was Director her current group, the Orlando eled with extensive experience SVETLANA PETROVSKAYA, of Music at a parish church in Singers. She has been associated in organizing and conducting ACFEA’s Moscow Representative, Gloucestershire. As an organist, with ACFEA for several years, ar- study tours of North America and graduated in Geography from the harpsichordist and baritone, he ranging the New Zealand portion Europe. Robert, who lives in rural Moscow Pedagogical Institute. has toured throughout much of of their Australasian Tours. Victoria, has been associated with She studied piano as a child and Europe. ACFEA for over 15 years. is a keen music fan. Her interests include international relations, travel and meeting people. RICHARD SAVAGE, Managing Director of ACFEA Europe, has been with the orga- nization since 1970. He gradu- ated from Oxford University, where he sang in Christ Church Cathedral Choir. He still maintains his professional singing career, being a permanent member of the Monteverdi Choir since 1971 and of the Gabrieli and Taverner Consorts amongst many others. JOHN TREGELLAS is ACFEA’s Regional Representative in Central Europe. Based in Prague since 1990, he works regularly with major concert promoters in the Czech EMILY BRADSHAW TONY HASTINGS ELFRIEDE LEIMER-RIZZOTTI Republic. A Modern Languages is an Operations Manager in is European Projects Consultant. is the Regional Representative in graduate from the University of London. Originally from He is a graduate of Sussex Italy. Although born in Austria, Oxford, he speaks fluent Czech, St Andrews, Scotland, she University and worked previously Friede has been ACFEA’s consul- German, French and Hebrew. His attended Oxford University, in music publishing and artist tant in Italy since 1983. Before concert credits as a baritone with studying Politics, Philosophy and management. He sings profes- joining ACFEA, she worked for the Kühn Mixed Choir include Economics as an undergraduate, sionally with the choir of Bath the Austrian diplomatic service. performances with Vladimir and Historical Musicology for Abbey, and is also a member of Ashkenazy, Sir George Solti and her Masters. Emily is a dedicated the Bath Camerata. SYLVIA MARIN, Sir Charles Mackerras. pianist, cellist and singer, and af- ACFEA’s Representative in France, ter graduating became Chamber ESTHER JONES is based in Paris. She graduated OLGA YEMELYANOVA, Concerts Manager for the Royal is the ACFEA Representative from Georgia State University ACFEA’s Representative in Russia, College of Music in London. in Spain. Born in England, her with a degree in Business is based in St Petersburg. She Emily’s interest in travel has been foreign language studies and Administration before moving to attended a specialist music school fueled by studying for a year in subsequent occupations resulted France. Since then, she has been and has a diploma in English France and a year in Germany as in extensive travel throughout involved in organizing music and German Education. Olga well as working in Japan. Europe and the US. She has tours and accompanying groups received a PhD in Linguistics from performed on clarinet with sev- throughout the Mediterranean Herzen Pedagogical University TRICIA GEORGE eral orchestras and now lives in area using her linguistic skills. of St Petersburg, where she is Head of Operations in London. Barcelona, publishing a monthly teaches English. She is actively Before joining ACFEA in 1979, English guide to the city. ANNABEL MOORHOUSE involved in music-making, and Tricia worked for the British is an Operations Manager in is a keen American square- and Government Bureau dealing London. She has an honors de- contradancer. with international exchanges. gree in English and French studies Educated at Aberdeen University, from the University of Lancaster she has traveled extensively in and has taught English at the Europe and North America. She University of Perpignan. She has sings with the Islington Choral recently worked as a courier for Society in London. ACFEA and is an active musician, both as clarinettist and singer.

San Francisco • New York • Seattle • Portland • London • Prague • Barcelona

Venice • Paris • St Petersburg • Berlin • Moscow • Melbourne • Auckland

10 11 www.acfea.com North America Staff

AMANDA BAUMAN DIANE PRICE is a Tour Manager in the New is a Tour Manager based in York office. An Ohio native, ROBYN GOLDSTEIN JANE KRUSE Seaview, WA. A life-long she performed with the is a Tour Manager in the New is a Tour Manager in the Oregonian until moving to Cleveland Orchestra Chorus York office. After graduating Portland, Maine office. A native Washington, Diane has sung with before receiving her degree in with a degree in Psychology from of Maine, she graduated with the Eugene Concert Choir as well Music Education from Duquesne Boston University, she lived in a degree in Music Performance as Eugene’s opera and symphony University. There she was a mem- London and traveled extensively from the University of Maine. choruses. In addition to being ber of symphonic and jazz bands, in Europe and Asia. A woodwind Jane lived in Salzburg for a year an accomplished pianist, she has as well as the Chamber Singers, and keyboard player, her first as a student at the Mozarteum organized and performed in con- with whom she toured Europe on touring experience was as solo and traveled extensively through- cert tours throughout Europe an ACFEA concert tour. Amanda’s clarinetist with her high school out Austria and Europe. and has sung under the direction travels have included several orchestra in Spain; more recently, of Jonathan Griffith and Helmuth excursions to Europe plus visits to she has played in several musicals Rilling. Central and South America. in New York and is a member of the Columbia University Wind Ensemble. CHARLES HAWK is Business Advisor to ACFEA North America. Charles has been a travel consultant since graduating from California State CHRISTINA MARTIN University in 1972 and has been is a Tour Manager based in the specializing in music tours since California office. Born in San JAMES SMITH HUGH DAVIES 1980. He is a Certified Travel Francisco, she graduated from is a Tour Manager in San is Managing Director of ACFEA Counselor and has traveled to the University of California, San Francisco. Born in Britain, James North America, based in the San all areas of the world both with Diego, with a degree in French, earned his degree in Maritime Francisco office. Born in England, groups and as an individual. and has worked with ACFEA since Shipping from John Moores he has a master’s degree from University in Liverpool. He has KENNETH NOREEN 1992. Her travels include study Cambridge, where he sang at abroad programs in France and traveled extensively through is Artistic Advisor to ACFEA North King’s College under Sir David Central America, competitive Europe, Asia and North America. America. He recently retired Willcocks. Hugh sang profession- tours throughout Europe with James is an avid guitarist, having after 30 years with the Shoreline ally in Europe, including with the a track team, and trips to South played for more than twenty School District in Seattle, serving Monteverdi Choir, before teach- America, Russia, China, Australia years, and is now learning to most of which as Band Director at ing music in Australia. He now and New Zealand. She enjoys play the mandolin as well. Since Shorecrest High School. Ken is a performs as a soloist and with singing with community choirs relocating to the USA, James Past President of the Washington several professional ensembles in and has studied piano for many has worked solely in arranging Music Educators Association the Bay Area. years. performing arts tours. and traveled with his band to Europe ten times since 1966. He holds a master’s degree in Music Education and is currently Unseen but Director of Bands at Shoreline SEATTLE Community College. PORTLAND, ME Charles Hawk Indispensable… Jane Kruse Kenneth Noreen (800) 886-8979 The Tour Managers are ACFEA’s Diane Price (207) 772-0763 front line, but there are many (800) 886-3355 others in our organization (425) 776-3273 108 Clark Street, 2nd Fl Portland, ME 04102 without whom our tours would 123 Second Avenue S. [email protected] never happen. We gratefully Suite 105 acknowledge the mighty Edmonds, WA 98020 efforts of: [email protected] Heather Garvie Group Air Manager Christine McLaughlin SAN FRANCISCO NEW YORK Finance Manager Hugh Davies Amanda Bauman Christina Martin Robyn Goldstein Greg Newell James Smith (800) 886-6995 Marketing Manager (800) 886-2055 (212) 564-6400 Ken Olson (415) 453-6619 39 W 32nd Street, Suite 1205 Operations Manager 1567 Fourth Street New York, NY 10001 Roberta Wheeler San Rafael, CA 94901 [email protected] Leisure Sales Manager [email protected]

10 11 www.acfea.com West Coast Premiere Sing in of John Adams’ the Chorus, On the Bask in the Sun Spend a week attending a choral workshop Transmigration conducted by Sir David Willcocks while you cruise the crystal blue waters of the western Caribbean aboard the four star of Souls CostaAtlantica. Benefits of this unique experience include: ACFEA is very pleased to be a major spon- John Adams sor of the West Coast premiere of On the • Workshops with Sir David Willcocks that Transmigration of Souls, the work written by don’t conflict with shore excursions Berkeley composer John Adams as a response to September 11, 2001. Its first performance was given by the New York Philharmonic on September 19, 2002, and a few months later Adams was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in Music for the work.

It is a very significant accomplishment by John Alexander • Opportunity to meet and perform with Orange County chorus Pacific Chorale (John choir members from the United States Alexander, conductor) to be awarded this performance, rather and beyond than the more obvious choices of the San Francisco Symphony • Exotic ports of call, including Key West, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Pacific Chorale, which has Cozumel, Jamaica and Grand Cayman toured with ACFEA several times, is joined by the San Francisco Girls Chorus (just back from an ACFEA tour of Finland, • Italian hospitality and cuisine on this new Estonia and Latvia) and the Pacific Symphony Orchestra in this ship from Europe’s largest cruise line performance at the Orange County Performing Arts Center on Open to all individuals who have a desire to Sunday, October 19. improve their musical abilities. John Adams describes his work thus: “’Transmigration’ means Cruise Departs Fort Lauderdale, Florida on ‘the movement from one place to another’ or ‘the transition February 1, 2004 and returns February 8. from one state of being to another.’ But in this case I mean it to imply the movement of the soul from one state to another. Call ACFEA at (800) 886-3355 or (425) 672-8644 And I don’t just mean the transition from living to dead, but also the change that takes place within the souls of those that stay behind, of those who suffer pain and loss and then themselves come away from that experience transformed.”

123 Second Avenue South, Suite 105 PO Box 849 Edmonds WA 98020 USA

CST 2063085-40 • WST 601 273 533

“Thanks for all your help!! Everything went very well. Looking forward to the Baltics in 2004!” Catherine Weiskel Executive Director Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra