Day 5: Harmonies and Hilarity in Warwick and Stratford-Upon-Avon
Our singers, tired but excited, woke up and grabbed breakfast at St. Catharine’s one last time. After the final drop-off from the homestays, we departed on the bus for Warwick. During the 2 hour drive, Eric enforced a quiet/rest period since most of the singers partied a bit too hard with their homestays the night before. Once we arrived at Warwick proper, we entered the St. Mary’s Cathedral for a quick rehearsal. After rehearsal, we ate delicious sandwiches from a local Italian spot - the owner was so grateful for our large order that he gave us three bags of cookies as a thank you!
Full and ready to sing, Ensemble took the stage at St. Mary’s for a sweet afternoon concert. The audience members were graced with the same songs from last night, including Shenandoah and Silence My Soul. Before the concert, the announcer said “Remember to turn off your cell phones, and ringers, but please keep on your pacemakers” if that gives any indication of our audience. After the concert, some of the singers were given a tour of St. Mary’s Cathedral, including the crypts, tombs, and ducking chair (a lovely device that has been in the crypt for over 200 years).
Heading back on the bus, we had a short ride to our stately hotel in Stratford-Upon-Avon. The singers, chaperones included, were awestruck by the accommodations - groomed gardens, a 19th-century former country mansion, and a luscious spa/pool. We’ll be here for the next two nights! With a large estate to roam, a pool to swim in, and gardens to gawk at, the singers were VERY busy for their afternoon free time. We ate dinner at the hotel and played night games of choir charades and more Uno.
Tomorrow should be an exciting day of even more history and bringing words to life, literally, we’re visiting the birthplace of Shakespeare. Toodle-oo!
