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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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

Wonderful musical experiences! Lovely scenery, interesting sight-seeing (in spite of the rain), excellent hotel accommodations, great meals and wonderful concerts. All in all, a very positive tour to Ireland.

I thought that all performances were wonderful - lovely venues; enthusiastic, appreciative audiences; warm receptions, with metaphorical arms wide open; lovely, embracing people.

Personal highlights - the concerts; the warmth of the people; our exceptional tour escort and bus driver. Our tour escort, Odile Murphy, was truly excellent and helped make our trip easy, interesting, stimulating, and exciting. In my 20 years of touring, she has been one of the best!

I am happy to serve as a reference source for MCI. We have been very happy with our three international tours you have arranged.

Tim & Carol Thomas
Indian Springs School Chamber Choir

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 All American Youth in Concert Youth Band & Orchestra toured Ireland this past summer. All American Youth in Concert is an annual summer touring ensemble which provides accomplished youth band and orchestra musicians with opportunities to practice their art in some of the most exciting venues of the world while at the same time experience culture in the great cities of Europe on a first-hand basis. These outstanding youth bands and orchestras have been highly praised by critics and educators throughout America and Europe. In 2007, the AAYC touring ensemble will be heading to Italy, to participate in the American Celebration of Music in Italy.

Below is what Dr. William H. Silvester, conductor, wrote about their recent experience in Ireland.

After 35 years of regularly touring to Europe, I finally acquiesced to traveling to Ireland. I had been hesitant until recently because of the troubles I envisioned due to the ages old religious and civil conflict. What a marvelous surprise I had in store for me and the young people who travel with All American Youth in Concert. Once we were there, that anxiety I had simply dissolved in a matter of a few hours.

Our two weeks in Ireland were filled with special experiences. We found the people to be tremendously receptive to us and our music and they very willing to go out of their way to assure us the very best of times. Music Celebrations International arranged terrific concert venues which were well publicized and well attended. The young people in the ensemble were able to meet and converse with many locals their own age. It was a very revealing and uplifting experience for all of us to personally be involved in Irish cultural events.

Of course the countryside is simply beautiful beyond words. The Irish reflect their land in mood and appearance. The contrast between the United States lifestyle tempo and that of the Irish was initially almost a shock but one that became very agreeable without much effort on our part. I can honestly say that our tour to Ireland was a wonderful experience in all respects; musically and culturally. It was just another example of how MCI takes special care in all their arrangements. I look forward to traveling there again in the very near future.

-William H. Silvester, Director, All American Youth in Concert

As part of the American Celebration of Music in Ireland, groups can have a fun-filled day of activities on a family run farm in Ireland. Groups will play hurling, weave a sugan rope, work a sheepdog, pick up a few words of Gaeilge, play a bodhran, make some brown bread, cut turf, and “gab on the bog” before the day ends with a hearty meal and the lively dancing and singing of a traditional Irish Ceili. A very special day for any size group, all ages!

Please contact Music Celebrations International for more information.

The University of Sioux Falls Concert Chorale, directed by Dr. Thomas Krause, toured and sang in Ireland and England in January as part of the American Celebration of Music in Europe. Here’s what Dr. Krause had to say about his recent experience with Music Celebrations:

What impressed me about MCI was their ability to specialize the trip to my specific needs. Since I have college age students I wanted some flexibility which they built into the trip.

They were able to have us perform in some of the very nicest venues and participate in concerts with local choral groups with far better crowds than our previous company could produce. They have given us the best musical experiences possible.

We have just returned from our fourth European experience with MCI and it was the best so far.

Today in 1921, the Irish Free State, comprising four-fifths of Ireland, is declared, ending a five-year Irish struggle for independence from Britain. Like other autonomous nations of the former British Empire, Ireland was to remain part of the British Commonwealth, symbolically subject to the king. The Irish Free State later severed ties with Britain and was renamed ýire, and is now called the Republic of Ireland.

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Music Celebrations International produces a tremendous concert tour to Ireland called the American Celebration of Music in Ireland. Please contact us for more information.