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

By Rick Steves
Tribune Media Services
updated 8:02 a.m. MT, Wed., June 17, 2009

While Ireland’s famed “Celtic Tiger” economy is now more of a sickly kitten these days, the country is still vibrant as can be for travelers. And Dublin offers the best (and many would say only) urban thrills in the Republic of Ireland. Here are a few of my favorite things to do in Ireland’s capital.

Trinity College welcomes visitors with student-led tours. With a particularly erudite version of the Emerald Isle’s gift of gab, your guide explains how Ireland’s top university was started in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I to establish a Protestant way of thinking about God. Originally the student body was limited to rich, Protestant males. Now Catholics and women — even Catholic women — are welcome.

While the 30-minute tour will teach you about the architecture and history of Ireland’s most prestigious college campus, it’s most enjoyable simply as a chance to hang out with a witty Irish college kid as he talks about his school.

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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
updated 7:07 a.m. MT, Tues., March. 24, 2009

Be forewarned, Ireland is seductive. Traditions are strong and stress is a foreign word. I fell in love with the friendliest land this side of Sicily. It all happened in a Gaeltacht.

Gaeltachts are national parks for the traditional culture, where the government protects the old Irish ways. Shaded green on many maps, these regions brighten the west coast of the Emerald Isle. Gaeltacht means a place where Gaelic (or Irish) is spoken. But the Irish culture is more than just the language. You’ll find it tilling the rocky fields, singing in the pubs, and lingering in the pride of the small-town preschool that brags “All Gaelic.”

The Dingle Peninsula — green, rugged, and untouched — is my favorite Gaeltacht. While the big tour buses clog the neighboring Ring of Kerry before heading east to kiss the Blarney Stone, in Dingle it still feels like the fish and the farm actually matter. Fishing boats still sail from Dingle, and a nostalgic whiff of peat scents its nighttime air, offering visitors an escape into pure Ireland. For 30 years my Irish dreams have been set here, on this sparse but lush peninsula where locals are fond of saying, “The next parish is Boston.”

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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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The ‘luck of the Irish’ followed The CHORALE through their Emerald Isle tour! Well . . . .Music Celebrations had their professional hand in the success of this, our third international tour, as well!

Our rain gear didn’t get used once. Sun and 60-70 degree temperatures made our journey from Galway to Kylemore Abbey and trip through the Wicklow Mountains absolutely glorious. The rhodendrons flanked the roadsides everywhere we went. What a serene place. Our concert in the Gothic Cathedral at Kylemore was a spiritual and acoustical treat.

In St.Mary’s in Killarney, the audience wouldn’t let us go home. We sang encore after encore and met folks from our own home state. Some of that audience actually followed us to Dublin to catch our noontime concert at 1:00 the following Saturday. Bray was a great way to finish our tour. Those folks went out of their way to see that we had everything we needed - - including building a couple of risers so the choir had ideal performing conditions!

The hotels and restaurants put out their finest for us. Everyone felt at home and secretly wondered if there was a way to extend our stay few more days.

We can’t say enough good things about our tour guide and bus driver. That 46′ bus went places no bus had traveled before! He was a genius being the wheel.

A music director is so busy taking care of the needs of all the singers, that it’s very special to feel taken care of by others. Our tour guide and the entire MCI staff did what they do so well - - took away our concerns and made us feel as though we were on vacation.

Thanks MCI for your caring ways.

Julie Beyler
Music Director, The CHORALE

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.