Day Three- Rehearsal & Boat Ride
Thursday June 26, 2014
We began our morning a little later than normal, which was nice, because I would say about all of us, adults included, are struggling a bit with jetlag. We met with Vox Aurea at 11:00 for a joint rehearsal at University Seminaarinmäki. The kids came back still a little tired, but with stories of saunas and lake swims, good food and great company with their host families. Both choirs began with some fun breathing exercises as well as some "ice breaker" type activities. Lots of smiles and laughter as they sang and warmed up with silly exercises. The beauty of the two choirs coming together and making music is amazing.
Both choirs rehearsed their joint pieces, Jaakobin Pojat and No Enemies, No Bombs for their concert tomorrow at Taullumäen kirkko. They sounded amazing, Following the rehearsal, we had lunch at the university's cafeteria, and then our singers rehearsed until about 3:00, really looking forward to the evening activities.
Our Vox Aurea hosts and hostesses arranged for a boat ride to Mämminiemi on the Suomen Suvi, a rather large lake boat for just our choir and Vox Aurea and our host families. The hour and a half boat ride was beautiful. The lake was perfectly still, as if we were gliding on glass. The beautiful scenery, which included little islands with vacation homes, boats, floating saunas and lots of green made for a very pleasant ride. Both choirs had fun socializing on the upper deck sharing stories and singing.
When we arrived to the peninsula, we all unloaded our towels and bathing suits, and our host families had baskets of sausages, salads, fruits, pancakes very similar to crepes with strawberry jelly, in preparation for our outdoor feast. Before the kids could enjoy their feasts, they sang No Enemies, No Bombs and Shoshaloza for a local news station which is supposed to air Friday, June 27th. The kids sang perched on a rock with the picturesque background of the lake behind them. Even outside their voices rang together beautifully with so much power.
Following the recording, all the singers went off with their host families on the peninsula, and cooked their own sausages over an open flame. Quite the outdoors experience. There were little stations where delicious pancakes were being made, kids fishing, laughter, jumping into the freezing cold lakes and then running into the sauna, and much more. Michael Adams had his first attempt at fishing and was quite successful.
For a brief moment, Marisa and Shauna hiked up to a higher point, overlooking all the activities as well as the taking in the beautiful scenery, and it was almost as if they were looking down on this picture perfect setting. Very happy children from both countries, and happy host families, and echoes of laughter. It was quite memorable.
At 8:45, the Suomen Suvi sounded its horn and eventually all the kids and families trailed down to the boat to head back. You would think after such an eventful day the kids would be tired and resting, but that was quite the opposite. They sang and played games and cards for almost an hour and a half. Such a blissful evening, not really wanting it to end.
Once back to the dock, we unloaded and headed home. I am assuming most everyone was able to fall asleep decently early and have a good night's rest. We will see about that tomorrow morning!!
Click through the slideshow below to view some highlights from today:
