June 29, 2008
Performances with Local Male Voice Choirs
-UPDATED on 7/1/08-
On Friday night, we performed with our hosts, the Onllwyn Male Voice Choir, in Llandybie. It was a delightful concert with a very enthusiastic crowd. It was wonderful to perform with our Welsh friends again and our combined "Rhythm of Life" performance was a huge success.
The children were then treated to a reception by the Llandybie Male voice choir. It was back in the coach to return to Hafan y Coed for much need rest and relaxation.
Then on Saturday night, the cities were swapped and we performed with the Llandybie Male Voice Choir in Onllwyn. By this time we had become renowned throughout the region:
After another wildly successful concert, our Onllwyn hosts treated us to another reception. The reception was filled with more songs and a lot of laughter and comraderie. We have thoroughly enjoyed our time with both the Llandybie and Onllwyn choirs and are looking forward to performing with the Ynysowen Male Choir on Sunday evening.
Parents you should be very proud of our children. They have conducted themselves with utmost professionalism and they have been absolutely BRILLIANT!
Posted by webmaster at 04:32 PM | Comments (0)
June 27, 2008
First International Performances by DCC!
This morning/afternoon, the choir performed 2 concerts. The first was at an elementary school in Banwen. We sang a number of songs for them and they even joined in on one of the songs (Over the Rainbow). We all had lunch together and had the opportunity to sit and talk with all of the school children.
Just before leaving, we found out that we received an impromptu invitaion to sing at another elementary school in the area. This school was a Welsh-speaking school, whereas the school in Banwen was English-speaking. It was a great test of our pronunciation of the lyrics in "Suo Gan", and we were thrilled to hear that we did a great job!!
Afterwards, it was back to the hostel to rest up and have dinner before our concert this evening in Llandybie with the Onllwyn Male Voice Choir. We are looking forward to performing with our hosts!
Posted by webmaster at 04:10 PM | Comments (1)
June 26, 2008
We Made It
The flight was uneventful and we all made it to London feeling excited and exhausted.
Our first stop was a rest stop along the highway where we all got to do our first shopping and trying out the local cuisine. Burger King. Just kidding. They WERE at the rest stop but I don't think anyone actually ate there.
Then it was off to Bath to see one of the old bastions of the Roman Empire. It was an amazing city and introduction to Great Britain. Unfortunately, it was a quick stop and then we piled back on the bus to head to Hafan Y Coed. We were greeted by members of the Onllwyn Men's Chorus and were treated to a buffet prepared just for us.
The weather was beautiful in London and got more overcast as we travelled west. It was raining by the time we got to the hostel, but everyone was excited to be there and was amazed at the lush green countryside the rain provides.
Everyone is safe and sound and have gone to bed for the night. They were amazing travellers and we are so proud of them. Tomorrow's a big day with our first performances, so I'll call it a night as well.
That's it for now. There aren't many internet options so I'm not sure yet when the next update will be.
Posted by webmaster at 09:45 PM | Comments (2)
June 25, 2008
We're Off
The plane is boarding now. Only 7 hours or so until we hit the UK.
Posted by webmaster at 10:41 PM | Comments (2)
June 24, 2008
Here We Go
The first international tour for the Durham Children's Choir kicks off tomorrow. We will be flying from North Carolina to London and then traveling by bus to Wales. I hope to update this blog at least once a day while we're away but it will depend on internet access.
Posted by webmaster at 06:59 PM | Comments (0)