Emily's Birthday! - Updated 9-15-11

Spirits were very high after the concert last night.  The bus driver put on some loud Michael Jackson song and the bus became the “Party Bus!”  I have to admit, I was whooping it up as loud as some of the kids.  It’s contagious, being a teenager.  (But then, with one stern look from my daughter I sat quietly with the rest of the chaps at the front of the bus.  It’s just not fair!!)

Happy Birthday Emily - next to Flora on right

In front of St. Mary's

 A couple of kids jumped on Emily to wake her up for her birthday.  Sweet 16!  We left St. Rafael’s at 8am to make it to the 9am service at St. Mary’s church in Woodstock.  The service was captivating and allowed for many BCS songs to be sung throughout.  Then we were invited for snacks and tea.  We have been served many times a small donut-type treat that is very sweet and sprinkled with coconut.  Everyone gets excited when the see these; the size of munchkins, it’s hard to not take too many.

The weather again is just beautiful.  70s, sunny and lovely.  We drove to the location of our afternoon concert for an amazing lunch (chicken pie, veggies and a large array of desserts.)  The acoustics in this church are very good.  Again we are lucky to be singing with the UWC chamber choir – now close friends after so many performances and rehearsals together.  Everyone is exchanging Facebook addresses – it’s pretty cool.  A special note about the UWC choir director, Mr. Peter Roux.  Mr. Roux is wonderful to work with.  He uses humor to keep the kids inspired and paying attention, and he’s very energetic.  The chorus sounds better and better every time they work with Mr. Roux.

Concert at St. George's

 The concert today was, I think – the best yet!  The church was packed to capacity.  Maybe 600 people?  Or more?  The applause was thunderous!  At one point Mr. Roux told the crowd that the last song would be the national anthem which caused one enthusiastic audience member to jump up and shout, “young American voices singing our anthem is brilliant!”  Needless to say, we had another rocking bus ride home and even the chaperones and staff gave your kids another standing ovation at dinner.  They were really good today.

Lunch before the concert with UWC friends

Mr. Roux conducting

This was kind of a spontaneous music break-out in the cafeteria after the concert

 I have forgotten to let you know the singers of the day.  These don’t get assigned every day but only on days when one singer really stand out.  Here are a few from the last couple of weeks:

Walker: for keeping everyone together at the airport in London.

Kathleen: for encouraging Josh to overcome his fear of the waterslide so that he could really enjoy the water park, and also for consistently doing the dishes without being asked.

Meghan: for her extraordinary singing today and for leading her section so well.

Natalie: for jumping up and cleaning the snack table by herself this morning at church.

Janiece: for bridging the gap by encouraging friendships between younger and older singers.

 

South African National Anthem at St. George's

600 members of audience singing together.

Below - Standing Ovation! 

   

Blog Ona and Flora

Bredasdorp

We know this happened a while ago but we’re just getting a chance to write now—so last week the chorus went to Bredasdorp, where we performed at a church.  The experience at that church was incredible.  Father Andre, the priest, had organized the performance as a way for the community to come together. Watching the whole community sing was inspirational.  We were all sitting up front facing the audience, which we were not used to.  Although it felt a little awkward sitting up front on stage, we all came through and pulled it off.  It was really eye-opening singing along to songs in different languages, and since we were in the spotlight without knowing any of the language (with the exception of a little Afrikaans ‘thank you’—dankie—and ‘good morning’—goeie more--) we chose to dance along to a few of the songs that really “moved” us.   It was a great experience and we felt like we were a part of something amazing.   PS Love you mom.  Oh, and you too father.– Ona and Flora

Church in Bredasdorp - Nancy and Alana

Father Andre