Day 10 - Goodbye Sutton Coldfield, it's festival time!
Our singers said their final goodbyes to their Sutton Coldfield families. They all came with great stories of all the fun adventures they had, all agreeing it was much to short, but really hoping to see them in San Francisco in 2018!
They rehearsed for a few hours and then were on the bus to head to the Lichfield Cathedral. We met our bus driver, Gary, who will be taking very good care of us for the duration of our trip, and were off to get a quick tour of the church and then sing a concert for the community. Turns out he is a musician himself and was just recently in a production of "Hello Dolly!" He as quite excited to take this driving job with us for all the music opportunities!!! Anyway, we were told that this cathedral is very Harry Potter ish, with only 3 spires, this gothic cathedral stands very tall and is quite amazing. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lichfield_Cathedral.
The kids did a phenomenal job performing probably their last long set of this tour. From fun American tunes to Nagasaki, as the preacher of the church said at the end, "Their concert took the audience on an emotional journey." After Nagasaki, there weren't too many dry eyes. Everyone was touched on more than one level, and we were followed out of the cathedral with many stopping to talk and wish us well in Llangollen.
We were back on our bus to head to the festival. The two + hour ride was a nice chance for us to get some rest and regroup for this is it! We were all pleasantly surprised when we heard the fantastic news that tonight's dinner wasn't going to include sandwiches, and that it was going to be a several course, CHINESE BUFFET! I think there might have even been some tears of joy! Eric and Julie were especially excited to have some white rice, something they have missed the last few days!!
With full bellies and a very happy group of kids, we sang to our waiters and waitresses, brought them to tears, and were back on the bus, well the kids at least! The chaperones stopped off at a Co-op to get some protein and fruit for breakfast and then were off.
The kids had a very spirited group meeting to get excited for competition while the chaperones hardboiled 6 dozen eggs, and then we were off to bed. It's go time!!!
Click through the slideshow below to view some highlights from today:
