Genteel gem, Edinburgh offers haggis, history, pubs and tea on a royal yacht

By EMILY FREDRIX Associated Press Writer
EDINBURGH, Scotland August 24, 2009 (AP)

Genteel Edinburgh would never want to boast — but its tea, scones and palatial history is every bit as enthralling as London’s — and can be had for a fraction of the price and at a much more leisurely pace.

As a bonus, this Georgian gem is small and endlessly walkable with history along every cobblestone street.

GETTING AROUND: Walking is the best way to see Edinburgh. With streets like the Royal Mile, which stretches from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to Edinburgh Castle, tourists can amble from site to site and soak up the history along the way. The castle, perched high, is a good landmark for finding your way, viewable from many points within the city.

The terrain is hilly. After all, the 100-square-mile city is built on volcanic crags. It’s easy to get lost among the winding streets and alleyways, but that’s all part of Edinburgh’s charm.

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Amazement and wonder: two states-of-being which make terrific companions on life’s journey. I was recently introduced to the following: “When it’s over, I want to say: all my life I was a bride married to amazement. I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.”
Mary Oliver

Anima’s trip to England this month offered plenty of opportunities for embracing these sentiments. Wells Cathedral and Sherborne Abbey in England’s southwest, and St. Mary le Bow Church in London were our concert halls - gorgeous to both eye and ear, and resonant with history, awakening our imaginations. We performed a wide variety of our own repertoire, as well as introducing five other choirs at Wells Cathedral to a portion of Daniel Brewbaker’s Living the Divine, with a fine British percussionist and our own Bill Buhr. The life of a new work is best when extended beyond the place of its birth, and it was a joy to help that happen so quickly.

Aside from the joy of making music together, the trip also afforded “wonder-full” side trips to Stonehenge, Salisbury, Cambridge (where King’s College chapel is a must-see), and Windsor Castle. Memories from these experiences will stay with me forever, as I hope they will for all the choristers and chaperones. As I told the singers after the Festival Concert at Wells Cathedral, it was an honor to be a guest conductor for this event. But it was made far richer by having members of Anima along with which to share it! Well done, all.

Emily Ellsworth, Artistic Director
Anima - Young Singers of Greater Chicago

All in all, the [Somerset Youth Choral] Festival was a TERRIFIC!!! experience for every one of us: children, chaperones, directors and Shadow Tour members. Thank you!

The day of the festival concert—the rehearsal, the tour, the free time in Wells and finally the concert—was one of the best days of our tour. Thank you for the tremendous effort it must have taken to put this performance together. It was very moving to see so many young people really care about what they were doing. I was very proud of them, and I know you were too!

Our concert at St. Paul’s Cathedral was absolutely a highlight of our trip. The opportunity to sing under Sir Wren’s dome was unforgettable. Following the performance in the cathedral we went outside to the steps and sang, “Feed the Birds” from Mary Poppins for an enthusiastic crowd of tourists and a camera crew from the BBC.

Thanks to everyone at Music Celebrations International for all the work you did to provide our group with a terrific experience in England. We are still hearing comments from students and parents about how much they enjoyed the tour or how much they have enjoyed hearing about it!

Doreen Falby, Director
Peabody Children’s Chorus

The Savannah Children’s Choir recently returned from their first tour abroad. You can follow their BLOG to learn about their tour experiences.

With the release of the iPhone 3GS and the instant access we have to information, you may rest assured that when you tour with MCI, we understand your need to connect. I found this article quite interesting and for those of us who have busy lives, a comfort. When you tour with MCI, we want you to know you can still speak with your family, and if you’re one of the touring directors, still email those you were discussing important matters with. Below is a well-informed article that will provide some clarity on how you can connect wirelessly in Europe.

“With my mantra being “pack light,” I used to be against packing electronics of any kind. But now, I bring my laptop, iPod, digital camera and mobile phone to Europe. With hotels retiring their fax machines in favor of email, mobile phones getting cheaper and easier to buy, and Wi-Fi hotspots popping up everywhere, it’s never been simpler to get connected.

If you tote your own laptop, you’ll find that many hotels and cafes offer wireless access — sometimes it’s free, other times, you’ll have to buy a drink or pay a fee — while some towns have Wi-Fi hotspots scattered around highly trafficked areas. Just pay for a password, park yourself on a bench in your favorite idyllic spot — overlooking a sandy beach, on a floodlit piazza or along a bustling people-watching boulevard — then log on and surf away.

It’s handy to travel with a mobile phone, whether you’re calling a hotel for directions or getting in touch with that lost travel buddy who missed the train. If you want to use a mobile phone in Europe, you have two choices: Take your own, or buy one once you’re there. ”
By: Rick Steves
Tribune Media Services

Traveling international with MCI? Not only will you be experiencing an educational and life-changing musical tour but you’ll also be given the opportunity to indulge in a few cuisines that you may not find in the States. Not only is MCI dedicated to insuring a quality tour, but we’re also interested in the cultural experiences you’ll engage in. This article shows a glimpse of what you might find in some of these infamous countries.

By: Rick Steves
Tribune Media Services

Eating and drinking in Europe is sightseeing for your taste buds. Every country has local specialties that are good, memorable, or both. Here are many of the fun experiences that stick in my mind after 30 years of travel. Seek out any of these on your next trip.

Germany’s wurst is the best anywhere, and kraut is not as “sauer” as the stuff you hate at home. Only a tourist puts the sausage in a bun like a hot dog. Munch alternately between the meat and the bread (”that’s why you have two hands”), and you’ll look like a local. Generally, the darker the wiener, the spicier it is.

The hallowed vineyards of Burgundy surround the French city of Beaune. Its venerable Marche aux Vins (wine market) welcomes serious wine buyers and tourists into a subterranean, candle-lit world, where fine wines sit seductively in bottles atop old oak kegs, just waiting to be tasted. Pick up a “tastevin” (shallow, stainless-steel tasting dish) and a shopping basket, descend into the dimly lit caverns, and work your way through the proud selection. Sampling a world of $100 bottles in the company of people who live for their fine wine can be both inspirational and intoxicating.

In Italy, sip wine with college students at an outdoor bar in Padua’s market square. Pour some fine olive oil on a dish, season with salt and pepper, rip a long strip from your bread, dip it, and bite. The last time I was there, a student explained I was making the “scarpette” — the little shoe. Soaking up the oil along with the conversation, we travelers become human “scarpette,” sopping up culture as we explore Europe.
Wherever you travel, it’s fun to meet people over food and drink. It’s part of understanding the culture of a country. Take the initiative not to just see your destination, but to experience it.

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By Rick Steves
Tribune Media Services

(Tribune Media Services) — Smart budget travel isn’t just about saving money — it’s about maximizing your experience. Let me stoke your travel dreams by sharing some of my favorite European experiences from 30 years of crisscrossing the Continent.

In Dublin, be the only tourist among 50,000 cheering fans at a hurling match — that uniquely Irish game that’s as rough and tumble as airborne hockey (with no injury timeouts). Matches are held most Saturday or Sunday afternoons in summer at Dublin’sCroke Park Stadium. Choose a county to support, buy something colorful to wear or wave, scream yourself hoarse, and you’ll be a temporary local.

In Northern England, hike the best-surviving stretch of Hadrian’s Wall. Picture being a soldier posted there back in ancient Roman times to keep out the scary Scots. For a good, craggy three-mile walk along the wall, hike between Housesteads Roman Fort and Steel Rigg. Free maps are available at the Once Brewed National Park Visitor Centre.

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Lovett has a rich tradition of excellence in choral music but hadn’t traveled overseas in 30 years. Last spring we spoke to the students and parents and decided that there was enough interest in an overseas trip. We decided on a tour that would occur just before the Christmas break, singing songs from Lovett’s annual Lessons and Carols service. We decided to travel to London for a couple of reasons: With this being our first time taking students to an overseas location, we wanted to travel to a location where there would not be a language barrier, where the currency would be similar to ours, and to a place we could perform music from our Lessons and Carols service. London seemed like the perfect location. It has its similiarities to the United States but is very different at the same time.

Once we made the decision to go and received the commitments from the students, we immediately began working with Music Celebrations International to plan the trip. MCI asked us what type of sight-seeing we were interested in as well as booked the performance venues. They were excellent to work with.

The tour was an absolute success! Students and chaperones had a wonderful time and we certainly look forward to another overseas trip in a few years. In addition, we had a good number of audience members at the performance venues. They were very receptive to our performances which added to our positive experience. Although traveling during the holiday break kept a few students from going on the trip, it was wonderful to be in London during the holiday season and to share our love of music with the people of England during this season. Several of the students had traveled to London before but they thoroughly enjoyed traveling with their friends. As the teachers, it was enjoyable watching the students experience the culture of London and hearing them talk about the differences and similarities of the two cultures. We would definitely like to do this tour again in four years.

Scott Martin, Director
Lovett School

LONDON, England (AP) — The theater where “The Merchant of Venice” and “Romeo and Juliet” likely debuted and where William Shakespeare himself may have trodden the boards has likely been discovered in east London, archaeologists at the Museum of London said Wednesday.

The possible foundations of what is known as simply, The Theatre, were unearthed by builders excavating the site — a vacant garage — for another structure.

Museum archaeologists were called to the location to make sure nothing was destroyed, and had a eureka moment.

“We were there, scratching our heads, looking into the trenches, thinking, ‘this could be it,”‘ said Jo Lyon, a senior archaeologist at the museum. “So we did some more research, and then we found the angled walls. And we all went, ‘Oh my gosh, this should be it.’ ”

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Our performance tour to Scotland and England as a grand success! All accommodations were clean, had sizeable rooms, and good food. Our Tour Escort was fabulous! Full of information. He showed the utmost kindness to us. He was a gentleman, and the students and I really enjoyed his friendliness and care that we receive the best possible experience during our trip.

All of our concert venues had excellent acoustics. The concert highlight was at St. Lawrence’s Church in York - the most inspiring aspect of the trip for many of us. We had 80+ audience members who raved about our performance and the repertoire, especially the piece my wife composed. The rector there was thrilled to have us there, and his inspiring speech to the orchestra before our performance won their hearts.

I am more than willing to serve as a reference for MCI and I look forward to planning my youth orchestra’s tour through Music Celebrations.

Dr. David Littrell
Orchestra Director

Everyone came away with wonderful experiences and memories. It is amazing to think that we sang in 10 venues in 12 days. All aspects of the trip were wonderful. The MCI team on this side, the tour managers and guides on the other side, all made this as successful as it was for us.

Having personally traveled with groups quite a bit, I found this to be a remarkable undertaking and was impressed with the organization and resources displayed by Music Celebrations International.

Becky Durham
Executive Director

By Rick Steves
Tribune Media Services

(Tribune Media Services) — Jolly olde England and the Emerald Isle of Ireland continue to enchant and entice, even with the pound whomping the dollar nearly two to one. Here’s what to expect if you visit in 2008.

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Along the magnificent English countryside, stop see these historic remains

By Don Willmott

Updated: 8:44 a.m. MT Oct 8, 2007
There it is in the distance: a crumbling castle or skeletal church wall majestically perched on a seaside cliff or rising silently from the middle of a windswept moor. Get closer, and walk through the vaulted archways. Run your hands along the carved stones. That’s what history feels like.

Visiting a scenic British ruin is one of those quintessential European experiences, a chance to reflect on natural and architectural beauty and to ponder the passage of time. Britain wears its old age well, and at its most scenic ruins, echoes of the past are always in the air. It’s enough to inspire romantic verse. Just flip through your dusty poetry anthology and reread Wordsworth’s “Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey.” You’ll get the idea.

You can walk in the steps of King Arthur at Tintagel Castle, set high on the Cornwall coast. You can climb the remnants of the battlements of Scotland’s Urquhart Castle and scan Loch Ness for mysterious ripples on the surface. At Linlithgow Palace near Edinburgh, you can wander through what’s left of the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots.

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Our recent tour to Ireland and Scotland was a great success. This was our third tour with Music Celebrations. Our tour manager was the best we have ever had. Both he and the bus driver became part of our group and quickly became dear friends. Our concerts were fantastic! The concert in Bray (south of Dublin) was a ball! This was definitely our performance highlight. Full house (300 people) and we developed a relationship with the audience that seldom happens. It was a smooth trip and I would be happy to serve as a reference for Music Celebrations.

Elaine Ostrander
Worthington Civic Band

Charleen Earley
Published 07/06/2007 - 6:48 p.m.
Antioch Press

When Liberty High School choir director Sue Stuart wanted to find a place to take her two choirs, she had only two requirements: it had to be a foreign place, and its residents had to speak English.

The task of navigating through a strange land is confusing enough, so communication was top priority. She also wanted her choirs to gain an appreciation for travel.

“My goal was not only to perform in a foreign country, but to give the kids a smorgasbord of England and Wales so they would want to come back and visit there again,” said Stuart, who has taught for 31 years.

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The Missouri Southern State University Chamber Choir, under the direction of Dr. Charles (Bud) Clark recently returned from touring Ireland, Wales and England as part of the American Celebration of Music concert series. While on tour, the Chamber Choir was able to have joint concerts with local choirs in Bray, Cardiff and London, which went over exceptionally well.

Thanks to all of you for your hard work. We were well taken care of. Your on site staff was superb (can’t say enough nice things about our tour manager!) and my interaction with your office was great as always! This tour was what I have come to expect from MCI – EXCELLENCE!! I am more than willing to serve as a reference!

Dr. Bud Clark
Missouri Southern State University

The following article was found on CNN. All participating groups in the Somerset Youth Choral Festival will have a chance to visit Bath and sightsee in this beautiful city.

Spiritual hotspot a hit with Brits, tourists from around the world

As a spiritual hotspot since before the Romans, Bath, England, can once again serve up a near-religious experience, thanks to its new spa. The Thermae Bath Spa opened last summer and has proved to be a hit with stressed-out Brits and tourists from all over the world.

The thermal hot springs have lured Georgian nobles, Romans and even ancient Celts for over 2,000 years. Don’t worry - it spews out at the rate of 240,000 gallons a day, so the bath water has been changed quite a few times.

In the region celebrated for Jane Austen and tales of legendary King Arthur sits the beautiful town of Sherborne, site of the 2008 Somerset International Youth Choral Festival.

Participating Youth Choruses will be housed in the prestigious Sherborne School and Sherborne School for Girls. It is here where most meals will be had and where the Festival rehearsals will take place. On campus is the wonderful Sherborne Abbey, where the choirs will perform individually and together for a very appreciative audience of the citizens of Sherborne before moving on to Wells for the Festival concert in historic Wells Cathedral.

In his book England’s Thousand Best Churches, Simon Jenkins lists Sherborne Abbey in the top 18 of England’s churches and credits it with some of the finest vaulting in the country. He writes, “I would pit Sherborne’s roof against any contemporary work of the Italian Renaissance”.

We are very excited about the upcoming festival and know that the Sherborne experience will certainly be a highlight for many of the singers.

Music Celebrations is pleased to announce the Somerset International Youth Choral Festival, to take place July 7 - 11, 2008. The festival chorus will consist of 300 mixed youth singers (SATB) as well as treble singers (SA) from North America and Great Britain.

The celebration will be under the artistic direction of the incomparable Dr. Z. Randall Stroope, as well as the eminent Ronald Corp.

Dr. Z. Randall Stroope

Ronald Corp

The rehearsals and festival performance will take place in Historic Wells Cathedral, which has maintained a choral tradition virtually unbroken for over 800 years.

Wells Cathedral

At the heart of the county of Somerset in Southwest England, Wells embodies all the charm and attraction one dreams of when imagining the English countryside. All accommodations will be at the elite private Sherborne School in the nearby town of Sherborne. Participating singers will be able to explore other nearby delights in Somerset, including the ancient Roman city of Bath. Choirs will also have the chance to spend time at Stonehenge en route to Somerset.

For information on registering a choir to take part, please contact us!

Choirs raise voices for high school trip
BRENTWOOD: Vocalists perform at Liberty High School

LIBERTY HIGH SCHOOL choir groups performed Sunday afternoon at a concert staged to pay for a trip to England.

The concert held at the Liberty High School Performing Arts Center featured Voices in Harmony, a group of about 90 men from the Bay Area who performed a four-part harmony barber shop quartet-style. Singers in the group range in age from 15 to 90.

The Liberty High School A Capella Choir and the Liberty Chamber Choir also were featured.
The choir groups must raise about $250,000 for the trip to London, where they will participate in the American Celebration of Music in Britain. Between 65 and 70 students are expected to participate in the U.K. program.