TOUR BLOG

2007 Ensemble Tour to Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia

Tour Dates: 

June 18 - July 4, 2007
Itinerary: By now you probably know that Ensemble will be touring in Slovenia and Croatia, and participating in a choral festival in Serbia. We will take a bus from Graz, Austrua to Groznjan, Croatia, which will be our base for four days. The famed Carmina Slovenica girls choir from Slovenia will join us in Groznjan and we will participate together in shared rehearsals and concerts. Groznian is the meeting point of young musicians from all over the world because the International Cultural Centre of Young Musicians has its seat there and during the summer months concerts and music events are held almost every day. We will be sightseeing there and nearby areas. We will perform a concert not only in Groznjan but also in nearby Porec, Rovinj or Novigrad. En route to Maribor, Slovenia, our bus will stop for us to visit the beautiful Skocjan Caves. In Maribor, Carmina Slovenica will host us for four days in their homes. Maribor is a beautiful town situated in a valley along the Drava River; we will be there during the annual celebration of the Festival of Lent, an exciting time of music, sports, etc. We will have performances both in Maribor and in the beautiful Gothic church in nearby Kostanjevica. We will then bus to Zrenjanin, Serbia, where we will participate in the International Choir Festival “Cantemus.” The festival includes several shared performances, including a final Gala Concert, as well as opportunities for visiting local cultural and tourist sights. We will be departing from Belgrade (Serbia) on July 4.

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Wednesday: Homeward Bound

July 4, 2007 | CCTourBlogger

We insisted on packing last evening so it was up, breakfast and be on the bus by 9.---- Well, we pulled out at 9:03 and were at the airport by 9:40. The good-bye's continued, they sang to our guide, Nesha (Nenad) who was very courteous, enjoyed the music, knowledgeable and according to many of the girls, has a killer smile and is adorable. In fact, he played the roll of adoring big brother quite well. The choir knew he enjoyed their music, antics, and joy of living, and was always appropriate. Read more... about Wednesday: Homeward Bound

Tuesday: Tour of Belgrade, Lunch in Bohemian section, Closing Circle

July 3, 2007 | CCTourBlogger

After last night's splendid concert and experience of affection and impending loss, everyone got a good night's sleep, had breakfast at 9:30, and boarded our bus for a guided tour of Beograd (spelled all sorts of ways). First stop was the National Serbian Cathedral, which is under construction, and has been since 1905. It is a four dome glorious space fully there structurally, but needing about 20 more years of mosaic and plaster work, which is begun and quite remarkable. Ensemble sang" Lift thine Eyes</em> then "Mnogaja leta</em> (Long Life, in Russian). Read more... about Tuesday: Tour of Belgrade, Lunch in Bohemian section, Closing Circle

Monday: Final Concert in Sobar

July 2, 2007 | CCTourBlogger

Following breakfast in the hotel, Ensemble boarded buses for a long trip to a small agricultural village named Maradik, two plus hours from Beograde. On its outskirts is Etno Kuca, a combination museum to the region's agricultural heritage and also a lunch spot. The family at Etno Kuca started at 8 in the morning making a chicken, tomato, onion, stew in a huge pot over a wood fire. Read more... about Monday: Final Concert in Sobar

Collection of Faces...Across Trip

July 1, 2007 | CCTourBlogger

Occasionally I have taken some shots of the choir members' faces, individually or in very small groups. These are some of the faces that make up the choir. Some singers were not interested in being in this section, and I did not push too hard.

I am sorry everyone is not here, more to come as it is getting late and uploads take time.

-jcm

PS I get confused and accidently put pics here that don't belong, but are also elsewhere.. Read more... about Collection of Faces...Across Trip

Sat: Visiting Vrsac and Performing at the Josiph Marinkovie School of Music

June 30, 2007 | CCTourBlogger

As part of the Festival, Ensemble spent the day at the Josiph Marinkovie School of Music in Vrsac, Serbia. It is a public school named after the nation's most famous composer.  Students all study two instruments, one may be voice. When we arrived in the late morning, we were greeted by a local doctor who spoke excellent English.  His use of a couple of words and part of his accent seemed familiar.  Turns out he went to Vandy in Nashville and lives part time in Tennessee.  He translated the school director's discussion of the history of the school and of the area. Read more... about Sat: Visiting Vrsac and Performing at the Josiph Marinkovie School of Music

Fri: Ensemble Sings at Festival

June 29, 2007 | CCTourBlogger

The mind is a wonderful thing. These young people expressed some intimidation after listening to the adult, intense, polished concert last night, but by morning I heard..."Yea, but that is not us, we are all about integrated sound, balance, full harmony." "They are wonderful at what they do, we're great at what we do."

We did a little shopping in Beograde, took a 1.5 hour nap, ate lunch (wienerschnitzel -- Sebastian and I were in heaven) and headed back to the festival. Read more... about Fri: Ensemble Sings at Festival

Thursday: Belo Blato, Zrenjanin and the Cantemus Festival

June 28, 2007 | CCTourBlogger

Dear fellow parents and friends of Ensemble.

Our hotel in Belgrade is across the street from an all-night high speed internet, so I have been able to upload videos and more pictures in earlier posting. check them out as you get time.

Videos: Go to youtube.com and search for "piedmont ensemble"

It brings up Frankfurt practice, you can see a dear one in actrion. By mid day Sunday a second short video should be available. This one is of part of the Maribor concert Dan made in Quick-time (low quality) from his high definition master. Read more... about Thursday: Belo Blato, Zrenjanin and the Cantemus Festival

Wednesday: Leaving Dear Friends in Slovenia

June 27, 2007 | CCTourBlogger

Now that was hard.  We all packed and met at the Kojak park to board buses at 8:00 am so the Slovenian families could get to work only a little late.  Homestay families and our singers formed small groups in the park near the buses, talking and saying good-bye.  It was quiet, there were no games, no laughing. Smiling, talking about the events of the last few days, thanks for hospitality, confirmations of friendship. As departure time approached, the hugs and tears started. Read more... about Wednesday: Leaving Dear Friends in Slovenia

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