Day 3: Stratford-Upon-Avon & London

Day 3 was a whirlwind full of travel and sightseeing. We awoke early in the morning to head to Stratford-Upon-Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare. Everyone was so exhausted from the excitement of the first two days of tour that the whole bus ride to our destination was filled with peacefully sleeping singers – an interesting sight that warranted the beginning of a contest to see who can capture the funniest photo of someone napping on a bus. There have been some good ones so far!

Upon arrival in Stratford, we went on a tour of Shakespeare’s Birthplace, which included his home and gardens. It was quite beautiful, and very surreal to be in the home of one of the most well known literary geniuses in the world. A bunch of the English majors in our group definitely felt like they were in heaven! We even got to see some actors reenact famous Shakespeare scenes, which was entertaining and super funny. Because it was a sunny day, we took lots of photos in the beautiful gardens, too. Learning so much about history and being in the place where some of that history was born (literally) was an incredible experience.

After the visit to Shakespeare’s Birthplace, we had some time to explore the quaint town and enjoy a delicious lunch. The cobblestone streets, solely for pedestrians, were so much fun and made it feel like we were in Shakespeare’s time. It was a beautiful place to be!

We only spent a few hours there, as our ultimate destination for the day was to be
London. So, we boarded the buses and spent another few hours sleeping and bonding on our way to the city.

Approaching the city of London was surreal; seeing the landmarks as we drove through the city felt like a dream. I was one of the people that had never been to London, and it was a place I had been dreaming of visiting since I was a little girl, so it was crazy to finally, finally be there!

The very first stop we made was at the lovely Berkeley Square. The Chamber Singers had the opportunity to sing “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square” right in the center of the beautiful scenery. It was so much fun to hear them sing about a place we were standing in! The looks of pure joy and wonder on their faces were priceless as they took in the fact that they were in London and singing in Berkeley Square ABOUT Berkeley Square.

What an incredible experience to have!

After that mini performance, we explored London more. We visited Buckingham Palace (unfortunately the Queen was not in at the time, as noted by the type of flag flying). We walked through a beautiful park and were able to see Big Ben and even pay a quick visit to Westminster Abbey. The city was beautiful, sunny, and welcoming, and we were all so happy to be there. We ended our night with a group dinner at Bella Italia in London. We were served delicious food and got to enjoy drinks and quality time with each other for a couple of hours, which was an absolute blast. After dinner, we checked into our hotel and were fast asleep, as the day was packed with excitement. The tour has been amazing so far!

--Trisha O'Donnell, CLAS 2017

Day 5: Prague

After a long and hectic day of bus rides and flights, I was somewhat disappointed when we first entered Prague. Where was the beautiful city everyone kept gushing about? All I saw were graffiti-laden and run down buildings.

Despite being exhausted from the day's travels, I decided to venture out into Old Town with some friends. I didn't want to waste an entire afternoon in a new city sleeping! Luckily Prague has a great metro system with a stop right next to our hotel. Once we figured out how to get tickets, which was quite the struggle, getting into the city was a breeze.

As soon as I exited the metro station to Old Town Prague, my exhaustion melted away. Old Town Prague is right out of a fairy tale. Everywhere I turned I saw elaborate, castle-like churches mixed in with quaint apartments and shops in beautiful pastels. There was an indescribable energy that inhabited the city, with its rich history and culture, and the flood of tourists from all over the world. I finally felt like I was in Europe despite being abroad for almost a week. It was a little overwhelming!

I returned to Charles Bridge later that evening with some friends to catch the sunset over the city. I can confirm that Prague is a magical city practically 24 hours a day. No pictures could ever capture its true beauty.

Having the opportunity to explore Prague on my own has made me more excited to learn more about its unique culture and histor. I can't wait to perform for its people, and contribute to its already perfect atmosphere. Prague, I know this is not the last I'll be seeing of you!

Evie Powell, CLAS 2017

Day 6: Prague

Our first full day in Prague began with a hearty breakfast at the hotel, after which we boarded the buses to head to the State Opera House. The theater was ornately decorated with white and gold painted carvings on each doorway and pillar, and a large fresco depicting the different arts was on the ceiling above the over 1000 seats in the audience. The foyer was also grand with chandeliers and red carpet on the stairs. After touring the opera house we departed on the buses for St. Salvator church, our concert venue in Old Town Prague. We were awed during rehearsal by the gorgeous space and 7 minute reverb, which made us more and more excited to sing the concert. Situated just inside the Vltava River by the Charles Bridge, the church was in a prime location to attract tourists and locals to hear us sing. After rehearsal we grabbed a quick bite to eat before driving up to the Prague Castle for some more sightseeing. Amazingly the Prague Castle and Wenceslas Cathedral were untouched by destruction during World War II, so the beautiful stained glass windows in the cathedral and thankfully preserved. We walked down from the castle on the hill all the way back across the Charles Bridge to the concert venue and performed at 3:30 after mass was over. Everyone agreed that singing in that church was one of the most memorable moments of the trip so far. The acoustics were incredible and the music sounded as though it was made for such a beautiful space. The audience was not extremely large but they were incredibly engaged and lively. Two women in the audience knew the words to all the Czech pieces we sang and were thrilled with the men's piece, Tancuj. After celebrating the end of a spectacular concert, some of us returned to the hotel to change while others stayed out in town for dinner and shopping near Old Town Square.
Nichole Gerber, CLAS 2016, Biology

Day 4: London

Full disclosure, I’ve never written a blog before. Before you immediately close the window to read something written by someone qualified that majored in English, know that I do write a lot of other stuff, but rarely write about my experiences or myself. So here it goes.

I woke up around seven thirty to my roommates alarm going off, immediately decided a fourth consecutive English breakfast would be bad for my health, and went back to bed. When I eventually crawled out of bed and dragged myself to the shower, I had around ten minutes before the bus was scheduled to leave. Bottom line, I was pretty rushed.

We all hopped aboard the coach, which is how the people of the United Kingdom, apparently discontent with only having four thousand deviations in their use of the English language, refer to a tour bus. We drove through some smaller towns on our way into the city. On the face of a church tower, there was a swath of graffiti, far from any window, awning or ledge. Whoever had done it had scaled the wall, which led to my discovery of what the tour guide called “walling.” The English saw the French and American traditions of parkour and decided to crank it up to climbing a vertical face.

Upon entering the city, we saw the Tower of London, an old medieval fortress famous for housing the crown jewels and terrorizing English citizens, which
m is why they apparently deemed it worthy of being a world heritage site. What better to reward murder, gore and excruciating pain than an official status? I sure don’t know one.

Next came Saint Paul’s. The rest of this entry is going to be dripping with sarcasm and my trademark likeability, but I really can’t say anything other than genuine praise of this cathedral. It truly was spectacular. Designed by Christopher Wren, a famous architect who the British are apparently nuts about, it was a gorgeous, whitewashed testament to the English faith. Enormous, lofty, and simplistic, I have never seen a more impressive building.

And then we saw the crypts of powerful men, reminding me that if you’re rich you can afford a ten-foot tall casket made of rose quartz. I put it in a separate paragraph so the sass doesn’t count.  Moving on!

After my touristy adventures, I had lunch at a place called Paul, located next to Saint Paul’s, a connection I didn’t put together until halfway through my sandwich. Then I realized I had forgotten my studs and cufflinks for a concert that was in three hours. Two heart attacks later, I picked a direction and set off to find a suit shop. Suspenseful right?

I found one in three minutes. It really wasn’t that big a deal. Although I don’t know in what universe you can justify charging fifteen pounds for plastic studs, but whatever. I don’t need you ENGLAND. Funny story, I’m going back there in a month.

I don’t know how to quit I guess. First step’s admitting it.

Then we had our rehearsal, dinner break and concert. They went pretty well I guess.

--Connor McLean, CLAS 2017

Day 2: Cambridge

Our second day in Cambridge was just as exciting as our first day! We enjoyed a lovely breakfast at the Holiday Inn. Dressed in daytime concert attire, we departed for downtown Cambridge. We had about an hour to explore the city and grab some food for lunch. Some singers went to quaint cafes and others visited the market in a popular town square. A diverse collection of kiosks including clothing, jewelry, local produce, smoothies, and hand painted china gave us ample opportunity to purchase souvenirs and gifts for loved ones. 

At 11:45 we met for rehearsal at Great St. Mary’s church, which is a beautiful church that stands opposite King’s College Cambridge. As we warmed up and rehearsed, tourists wandered in and out of the church. A couple people stayed to listen, and others took programs and returned for our official concert at 1PM. Because the location of our concert was a last minute scheduling change, we did not expect a large audience. Nevertheless, we had a great turn-out! The audience particularly enjoyed “Ride on King Jesus”, and I watched their faces light up throughout the classic American spiritual. By the end of our 50 minute program, which was abbreviated for the specific venue, I sensed from the audience that they would have gladly listened to us for much longer.  

A number of the Jesus College singers attended, and I found myself looking at their expressions throughout the performance. It was both nerve-wracking and flattering that such accomplished musicians came to support us. After the concert, a number of USingers mingled with the Jesus College singers, and I felt as if I were witnessing the beginning of cross-Atlantic friendships. 

Following the concert, we toured King’s College Chapel. Not only were the fan-vault ceilings absolutely spectacular, but also were our guides! Our group leader, Ian, gave us quite the tour in and around the chapel. Filled with historical facts, he gave us great insight into the construction process and the relationship between political authority and the power of religion at the time. We also did a brief walking tour around Clare College and Trinity College. One of my favorite anecdotes describes how the college dealt with dogs on grounds. Under no circumstances were dogs allowed on Trinity grounds. In fact, the wife of the president of the college himself could not bring his dog on grounds. Thus, whenever someone brought his dog in, the College officially declared the pet a cat.  

Finally we had over four hours of free time. Small groups attended evensong at Kings College Chapel or spent time in various Cambridge pubs. Some of us, including myself, also went punting. While on the canal, a boat travelling in the opposite direction carried a group of children. They sang together, and though they did not have the beautifully trained voices of college singers, their voices nonetheless had a special kind of beauty that cannot be characterized solely by tone quality and intonation. As they passed us, we looked. They stopped singing and giggled. Our brief exchange was the perfect end to a fantastic day. 

-Jamie Thompson, CLAS ’16, Religious Studies & Foreign Affairs

Day 1: Arrival in Cambridge

Et angeli in vitro molliter cantaverunt" and the Angels in the glass softly sang. These are the words, written by Sir Anthony Silvestri and set to music by Eric Whitacre, that have become a staple in our repertoire for this tour, and I confess I didn't really understand Whitacre's inspiration until I, along with Chamber Singers and the choir of Jesus College, Cambridge, sang the Evensong service bathed in the light of the stained glass facade of Jesus College Chapel. Prismatic colors joined in song with us as we welcomed the evening to the first day of what promises to be a transformative tour for all of us. 

After excitedly meeting USingers at Dulles airport, a sleepless transatlantic flight, and the quiet, momentous realization that, yes, we have arrived in Europe: tour is finally here. It didn't quite feel real until we were halfway into the Customs line at Heathrow. Groggily, but fortified with coffee, we began the short bus ride to Cambridge and our first destination. Those of us who weren't asleep were rewarded with fields of lavender and dandelion that swayed in the wind, creating their own music to welcome us to England, its rolling hills not unlike that of Albemarle county. Coffee wearing off, and sleep deprivation beginning to take its toll, we arrived in the ancient city of Cambridge. 

The moment I stepped foot off the bus, the history, the grandeur, the struggle, the triumph of Cambridge beckoned. Lunch in a 14th century chapel-turned-café, walking along the charming River Cam, it's hard not to feel at home in a place that takes enthusiasm for the arts to such a superhuman degree. Advertisements for concerts, plays, even Sanskrit lessons cover the old cast iron fences surrounding lawns held in too high esteem to be walked upon. Tweed jackets, choristers heading to practice, whistling old professors, the whole city breathes education and the arts. For me, beginning my final year at the University and in the midst of a search for what's next, it seemed the whole of Cambridge outstretched its hand in welcome and possibility. Singing in candlelight and accompanied dusky angels of sunset, celebrating the faith of my fathers and the passion of my youth, never have I been in such awe of my fellow musicians, or the power of music to transform. And that was just the first day.

- Will Dickinson, CLAS '16, Music & Religious Studies

The selfies begin ...

Half of the group is on the way to Dulles for our flights!