On Wednesday, we arrived in Rome and took the quickest tour ever: only three hours! I would upload some photos of what we saw, but blogger refuses to cooperate right now. So sorry!
After our whirlwind, we bussed to Arezzo where our competition is being held. We took it easy on Wednesday night and then got straight to work on Thursday morning. After rehearsal in a mortuary (!!!), we went to a beautiful church and competed in the Mixed Choir Polyphony round. A few hours later, we competed in the Vocal Ensemble round (12 singers maximum). Both went well and we felt happy with what we did. Later that night we learned that we'd tied for first place in the Mixed Choir round, and won first prize in the Vocal Ensemble round! Additionally, the Vocal Ensemble won a special prize for best interpretation of the competition's compulsory piece. Good work!
Today, we had our work cut out for us: four competition rounds! First up was music from the Romantic period, followed by contemporary music, another round of modern pieces, and a folk music round, which took place outside. We worked hard all day and came out at the end of it with two more first place ties in both the Romantic and Contemporary categories.
We also learned that we are one of three choirs chosen to compete one more time tomorrow for the Grand Prize. We have fifteen minutes to show our stuff in competition with some of the best choirs in the world! Wish us luck!
On Sunday, we'll all be home! See you soon!
16 September 2011
13 September 2011
Italy Tour: Tortoli
Sunday was a lovely day full of much needed rest and relaxation...and the Mediterranean Sea.
After a great day and an intense rehearsal, we woke up fresh and ready to go on Monday, and headed to Tortoli last night to perform with the Coro el Leon de Oro (from Spain) in the Cattedrale Sant'Andrea.
The church was an amazing place to sing and the choir from Spain was a joy to listen to and perform with. The audience loved everything throughout the whole night, which really made us feel great! Afterwards, we were treated to pizza at a great Italian pizzeria, and then made another long trip home, arriving at about 3:00 AM!
Tonight, we head back to San Santurnino for one more concert, again with the Coro el Leon de Oro, and then tomorrow we fly to Rome, and then to Arezzo for the competition! Send us your good vibes!
After a great day and an intense rehearsal, we woke up fresh and ready to go on Monday, and headed to Tortoli last night to perform with the Coro el Leon de Oro (from Spain) in the Cattedrale Sant'Andrea.
The church was an amazing place to sing and the choir from Spain was a joy to listen to and perform with. The audience loved everything throughout the whole night, which really made us feel great! Afterwards, we were treated to pizza at a great Italian pizzeria, and then made another long trip home, arriving at about 3:00 AM!
Tonight, we head back to San Santurnino for one more concert, again with the Coro el Leon de Oro, and then tomorrow we fly to Rome, and then to Arezzo for the competition! Send us your good vibes!
12 September 2011
Italy Tour: Travel, arrival, late nights, and more!
Can you believe we returned from Argentina less than a month ago and we're already in Italy for the Concordia Vocis festival followed by a competition in Arezzo? Neither can we! But we're happy to be here!
I am sorry there have been no posts until now, but the internet has been very fickle!
We left Salt Lake on Wednesday and traveled for about 25 straight hours. We were so excited to go!
We arrived in beautiful Cagliari and checked into Hotel Setar, which is quite a nice place that provides us with lovely food three times a day and an amazing ocean view.
We took it easy for the first day and then traveled by bus for about three and a half hours to Alghero. It looks like quite a beautiful town, but we didn't see much of it, as we got there just in time for our sound check in the Cattedrale di Santa Maria.
It was a very beautiful church and a good first concert for us. After another long bus ride (during which time our bus driver got lost!), we finally arrived back at our hotel at 4:10 AM! We think this might be a record for late night tour
arrivals!
Needless to say, most of us slept for most of Saturday to make up for going to bed just before the crack of dawn. We rehearsed hard all afternoon and then got ready for our concert in the Basilica San Saturnino in Cagliari.
This beautiful church is the oldest on the island of Sardinia, and dates back to 900 AD! It has an amazing acoustic, and the concert went very well. Even though it was extremely hot and everyone was sweating, the audience was enthusiastic and we gave our all---and it paid off!
Yesterday we relaxed a bit and rehearsed a bit, and we'll head to Tortoli today!
I am sorry there have been no posts until now, but the internet has been very fickle!
We left Salt Lake on Wednesday and traveled for about 25 straight hours. We were so excited to go!
We arrived in beautiful Cagliari and checked into Hotel Setar, which is quite a nice place that provides us with lovely food three times a day and an amazing ocean view.
We took it easy for the first day and then traveled by bus for about three and a half hours to Alghero. It looks like quite a beautiful town, but we didn't see much of it, as we got there just in time for our sound check in the Cattedrale di Santa Maria.
It was a very beautiful church and a good first concert for us. After another long bus ride (during which time our bus driver got lost!), we finally arrived back at our hotel at 4:10 AM! We think this might be a record for late night tour
arrivals!
Needless to say, most of us slept for most of Saturday to make up for going to bed just before the crack of dawn. We rehearsed hard all afternoon and then got ready for our concert in the Basilica San Saturnino in Cagliari.
This beautiful church is the oldest on the island of Sardinia, and dates back to 900 AD! It has an amazing acoustic, and the concert went very well. Even though it was extremely hot and everyone was sweating, the audience was enthusiastic and we gave our all---and it paid off!
Yesterday we relaxed a bit and rehearsed a bit, and we'll head to Tortoli today!
11 August 2011
Argetina Tour: World Choral Symposium
I am sorry it has been so long since I have posted. There has been some internet access, but it has been spotty, and not strong enough to upload photos to this site. Hopefully, you have been able to follow us on facebook in the meantime! Here's what we've been doing since the last post.
On August 3, we shared a concert with the University of Mendoza choir, pictured below.
It was a difficult place to sing because the acoustic was so dry, but the audience was very, very enthusiastic. So enthusiastic, in fact, that they kept breaking into applause before our pieces were over! It was a fun evening.
The next morning, we headed to the airport to fly to Mendoza, but ended up having to wait through two cancelled flights. We spent around six hours in the airport, sleeping, playing games, talking...it was hard but everyone was a good sport about it.
When we arrived in Buenos Aires, we sang on a street corner downtown for passersby.
It was an interesting experience to sing outside! There was a dog that took a liking to us and kept coming up while we were singing and laying down in front of the choir to listen. Whenever we would finish a song, it would run off into the crowd barking...only to come back for the next song.
Then, on August 5, we headed to the University of Moron for a concert there and with the U of M choir.
It was so much fun! The audience asked for multiple encores and we were so happy to be able to share so much with them.
Next, we headed to Puerto Madryn for the main event: the World Choral Symposium! We were going to fly, but due to volcanic ash, we had to take a bus...for 20 hours! Fortunately, our bus was very nice, with large, comfortable seats that reclined quite far back so we could sleep. When we arrived in Puerto Madryn, we were a little disappointed to find that so much of the symposium had been cancelled. Because so many people had to take buses to get to the city, the symposium had to be shortened to account for travel time. Also, five of the 25 invited choirs decided not to come at all. But we still made the best of it and settled in for a few days of great music!
On August 8, we had our main concert in Puerto Madryn at a church in the afternoon.
The audience was standing-room only. At this concert, we premiered all the new works we'd commissioned for the Symposium: pieces by Ko Matsushita, Dan Forrest, Ola Gjeilo, Gyorgy Orban, David Thomas, Ivo Antognini, Josu Elberdin, and Eriks Esenvalds. They were all received wonderfully. We were honored to be able to premiere these works by all these composers, several of whom we have met and worked with over the years. We hope we did credit to their works!
During the afternoon, we had some free time in the afternoon and the whales were out in force, so a lot of us walked down the pier and did some whale watching. It was amazing!
Later that night, we sang for a Gala concert at the Symposium with 4 other world-class choirs and a vocal jazz group. The venue was a gymnasium. Literally.
We were fifth on the program, following a choir from Argentina, a girls' choir from Norway, the Philippine Madrigal Singers, and a choir from Sweden. It went very well, but it was probably the most difficult place any of us has ever had to perform. The acoustic was more than dry. It was frustrating, but ultimately a good experience.
The next evening, we headed to Trelew for an out-of-town concert as part of the Symposium. We performed at the Teatro Verdi.
The audience, as usual, was absolutely wonderful! We were so happy to be able to finish our time at the Symposium with such a great concert for such great people.
The next morning, we headed back to the church of our first Symposium concert to do a little recording, and then we hopped back on the bus for another 20 hour ride to Buenos Aires, where we grabbed a plane to Iguazu. We're currently settling down in our hotel and getting ready for some jungle excursions tomorrow. We'll be home in just a couple of days!
On August 3, we shared a concert with the University of Mendoza choir, pictured below.
It was a difficult place to sing because the acoustic was so dry, but the audience was very, very enthusiastic. So enthusiastic, in fact, that they kept breaking into applause before our pieces were over! It was a fun evening.
The next morning, we headed to the airport to fly to Mendoza, but ended up having to wait through two cancelled flights. We spent around six hours in the airport, sleeping, playing games, talking...it was hard but everyone was a good sport about it.
When we arrived in Buenos Aires, we sang on a street corner downtown for passersby.
It was an interesting experience to sing outside! There was a dog that took a liking to us and kept coming up while we were singing and laying down in front of the choir to listen. Whenever we would finish a song, it would run off into the crowd barking...only to come back for the next song.
Then, on August 5, we headed to the University of Moron for a concert there and with the U of M choir.
It was so much fun! The audience asked for multiple encores and we were so happy to be able to share so much with them.
Next, we headed to Puerto Madryn for the main event: the World Choral Symposium! We were going to fly, but due to volcanic ash, we had to take a bus...for 20 hours! Fortunately, our bus was very nice, with large, comfortable seats that reclined quite far back so we could sleep. When we arrived in Puerto Madryn, we were a little disappointed to find that so much of the symposium had been cancelled. Because so many people had to take buses to get to the city, the symposium had to be shortened to account for travel time. Also, five of the 25 invited choirs decided not to come at all. But we still made the best of it and settled in for a few days of great music!
On August 8, we had our main concert in Puerto Madryn at a church in the afternoon.
The audience was standing-room only. At this concert, we premiered all the new works we'd commissioned for the Symposium: pieces by Ko Matsushita, Dan Forrest, Ola Gjeilo, Gyorgy Orban, David Thomas, Ivo Antognini, Josu Elberdin, and Eriks Esenvalds. They were all received wonderfully. We were honored to be able to premiere these works by all these composers, several of whom we have met and worked with over the years. We hope we did credit to their works!
During the afternoon, we had some free time in the afternoon and the whales were out in force, so a lot of us walked down the pier and did some whale watching. It was amazing!
Later that night, we sang for a Gala concert at the Symposium with 4 other world-class choirs and a vocal jazz group. The venue was a gymnasium. Literally.
We were fifth on the program, following a choir from Argentina, a girls' choir from Norway, the Philippine Madrigal Singers, and a choir from Sweden. It went very well, but it was probably the most difficult place any of us has ever had to perform. The acoustic was more than dry. It was frustrating, but ultimately a good experience.
The next evening, we headed to Trelew for an out-of-town concert as part of the Symposium. We performed at the Teatro Verdi.
The audience, as usual, was absolutely wonderful! We were so happy to be able to finish our time at the Symposium with such a great concert for such great people.
The next morning, we headed back to the church of our first Symposium concert to do a little recording, and then we hopped back on the bus for another 20 hour ride to Buenos Aires, where we grabbed a plane to Iguazu. We're currently settling down in our hotel and getting ready for some jungle excursions tomorrow. We'll be home in just a couple of days!
03 August 2011
Argentina Tour: San Juan and Mendoza
It has been a few days since an update, but internet access has been a little bit limited. I apologize!
On Sunday, we flew from Buenos Aires to San Juan. It was one of the nicest flights any of us have ever taken, and the view from the tarmac was lovely.
Upon arrival in San Juan we met with our host families who so graciously let us stay in their homes for two nights. Every single choir member has nothing but fantastic things to say about the people they stayed with. The people of San Juan opened their homes and hearts to us and we are extremely grateful for them! We love them from the bottom of our hearts!
On Monday, some of the choir members went to a workshop with Dr. Allred at the music school for the University of San Juan, where he taught and demonstrated for interested music students. Other choir members had the day free to explore San Juan with their hosts or just relax. That night, we performed in the Auditorio at the university.
The facility was very nice and the audience was very warm and receptive. They treated us to empanadas afterwards and we were all happy about that!
The next morning we hopped a bus for a fairly short ride to Mendoza, where last night we sang in a local LDS Stake Center for an incredibly large audience, most of whom arrived 40 minutes before we were even scheduled to sing! The concert was fantastic and the people were so giving and warm. One even told us, "You sent us to heaven tonight." It feels very good to be able to share our music with people who love it. It's why we do it.
Tonight we have a joint concert with the Grand Prix-winning University of Mendoza choir, and we are very excited to meet with them! Then tomorrow it's back to Buenos Aires for a brief stay before we head even further south to Puerto Madryn. Again, keep praying for our flight---otherwise it's an 18 hour bus ride!
On Sunday, we flew from Buenos Aires to San Juan. It was one of the nicest flights any of us have ever taken, and the view from the tarmac was lovely.
Upon arrival in San Juan we met with our host families who so graciously let us stay in their homes for two nights. Every single choir member has nothing but fantastic things to say about the people they stayed with. The people of San Juan opened their homes and hearts to us and we are extremely grateful for them! We love them from the bottom of our hearts!
On Monday, some of the choir members went to a workshop with Dr. Allred at the music school for the University of San Juan, where he taught and demonstrated for interested music students. Other choir members had the day free to explore San Juan with their hosts or just relax. That night, we performed in the Auditorio at the university.
The facility was very nice and the audience was very warm and receptive. They treated us to empanadas afterwards and we were all happy about that!
The next morning we hopped a bus for a fairly short ride to Mendoza, where last night we sang in a local LDS Stake Center for an incredibly large audience, most of whom arrived 40 minutes before we were even scheduled to sing! The concert was fantastic and the people were so giving and warm. One even told us, "You sent us to heaven tonight." It feels very good to be able to share our music with people who love it. It's why we do it.
Tonight we have a joint concert with the Grand Prix-winning University of Mendoza choir, and we are very excited to meet with them! Then tomorrow it's back to Buenos Aires for a brief stay before we head even further south to Puerto Madryn. Again, keep praying for our flight---otherwise it's an 18 hour bus ride!
30 July 2011
Argentina Tour: Cantar!
What a great day of music! We started the day with a rehearsal in the Chiesa Mater Misericordie church where we'd have our concert later.
Next up was a masterclass with the Musica Quantica choir. We got to sing with them and FOR them as some of them worked on improving their conducting skills with Dr. Allred.
A quick jaunt through the subway, and we were back at our hotel to get ready for the concert, which was fantastic! You can see a few pictures on our facebook page, so be sure to follow us there as well as here! I think I speak for everyone when I say how wonderful it was to sing for people here in their native language. Reaching audiences is what it's all about.
Tomorrow we hop a plan to San Juan (pray that the volcano ash doesn't mess up our plans!) and then more concerts scheduled for Monday and Tuesday!
Next up was a masterclass with the Musica Quantica choir. We got to sing with them and FOR them as some of them worked on improving their conducting skills with Dr. Allred.
A quick jaunt through the subway, and we were back at our hotel to get ready for the concert, which was fantastic! You can see a few pictures on our facebook page, so be sure to follow us there as well as here! I think I speak for everyone when I say how wonderful it was to sing for people here in their native language. Reaching audiences is what it's all about.
Tomorrow we hop a plan to San Juan (pray that the volcano ash doesn't mess up our plans!) and then more concerts scheduled for Monday and Tuesday!
29 July 2011
Argentina Tour: Estamos aquí!
After a short flight to Atlanta and a much less short flight to Buenos Aires, we have all arrived, all in one piece, with all our luggage!
We checked into our hotel mid-morning and then took a look around the surrounding city, exchanged some money, and got some food. (Note: empanadas are GOOD.) We basically took the day to rest and relax before we really get going tomorrow with our first concert.
Here are a couple of images from downtown BA:
We're all tired and a little cold (it's winter here!) but doing fine and excited to really get started!
We checked into our hotel mid-morning and then took a look around the surrounding city, exchanged some money, and got some food. (Note: empanadas are GOOD.) We basically took the day to rest and relax before we really get going tomorrow with our first concert.
Here are a couple of images from downtown BA:
We're all tired and a little cold (it's winter here!) but doing fine and excited to really get started!
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