Musical Highlights
Singing in St George's Chapel during our preparation days.
When we were at Windsor Castle and a group of us started singing. It felt really good to have people asking for more songs and being able to entertain other people whilst entertaining ourselves.
We met a lady at Windsor who heard us rehearsing. She was disappointed that she couldn't stay to hear our concert. Then she appeared at the concert anyway so she had obviously gone out of the way to support us. It made the concert seem much more special to me.
Gatwick airport - singing Pueri.
The competition was a big highlight but I also enjoyed just singing on the boats, buses, on the coach and in the streets. Singing in the church opposite the hotel was really nice as well.
The competition was one of the most difficult performances I have ever done. With mobiles going off and a choir rehearsing in a room behind stage it was almost impossible to keep our notes, especially the opening of Aizalaida. But even with these distractions and a strange acoustic, we performed as a united choir, showing the strength of 'singing with our ears'. This, more than singing in a beautiful church, is special to me because I saw us pull through as a unit.
Singing Yo le canto in the competition with everyone getting the claps right.
Performing Rain Dream in the competition because I felt that it was a great performance not just a good song.
The moments when we realised that we had come really high in the placements and the realisation that we had won!
After quickly embarking a bus boat in Venice, a couple of members squeezed to the back outside to view the city. Making sure to keep the doors open, we began singing a song as we floated by towering churches and meandering canals. Soon the whole boat was filled with our singing that was even heard by passers-by on the little bridges. When we finished our song, a couple of tourists took great interest and bought some CDs!
Singing in the friendship concert because everyone was so happy to see us and we sang all my favourite songs.
Singing O Vos Omnes in the little church opposite the hotel. The lady from the hotel came to listen and she was overwhelmed which made me feel happy.
Other Highlights
We met a Brazilian choir whom we befriended after the award ceremony over some Italian pizza. They were cloaked in black with bright, colourful linings, and when they started to sing to us, their whole presence was greatly animated. It soon became a mini-concert between our two choirs, sharing the cultures and generally enjoying the company of people who spoke little English. The many smiles between the two choirs showed us that music is simply universal and understood by all.
Beautiful red sunset on the last night.
Venice, the light, the lake, winning!!!
I liked the feeling after the competition that though we might not win we had put on a good show.
Getting to know everyone, including the adults (and watching David and Stuart run!).
Paddling in Lake Garda with my friends.
Receiving compliments on the choir from 'randomers'.
Busking and getting audiences to smile.
Accommodation and Food
The accommodation and food were really good. The beds were comfortable and I had everything that I needed plus more. The food was really good as well, and I liked all the main courses and starters.
Awesome food, of course, wonderful views - sunsets, lovely staff.
The food was amazing, although I ate too much.
Accommodation and food: brilliant! Comfy beds, good shower, good company, delicious food (nicely balanced with lots of salad and some veg. and fruit.).
I enjoyed sharing with just one other person.
It would have been better to share in bigger numbers rather than in twos.
Random
Spending 20 euros on ice-cream.
Lots of fun getting to know people that I didn't know very well.
Racing David (and beating David!) back to the hotel.
Finding out that we were staying extra days.
Getting praise from the judges for the choir.
Watching the American choir sing Chilli con carne.
Getting to know more people.
I never thought that anything could top last year in Montreux, but somehow it managed to!
I enjoyed the panic and excitement of being stranded in Italy.
Next year we should go on a tour somewhere far away - and for a long time, because tours are amazing!
I now think of the choir as a family.
Best tour I have been on so far - many great memories and strengthened friendships.
What I have learnt about myself
That I can control my spending very well and that I can't sleep on coaches.
That I can sing confidently in competition and in concerts which have bad conditions.
That I need quite a lot of sleep (more than I thought) and that I can begin to get over my fear of flying.
That I can pretty much sleep anywhere. I also eat too much.
That I can survive for a week without facebook.
That going with the same person for everything can drive us BOTH mad!!
That I can go on a holiday and not spend all my money.
That it is important to follow instructions exactly, to help the adult leaders.
That it only really takes seven minutes to get out of bed and be down at breakfast.
Learning to adapt to changes quickly and help others to do so too.
That I need to take more notice as to where I place my belongings and organise myself more.
I can handle large amounts of apricot croissants.
I can live with no baths and just showers.
Singing in St George's Chapel during our preparation days.
When we were at Windsor Castle and a group of us started singing. It felt really good to have people asking for more songs and being able to entertain other people whilst entertaining ourselves.
We met a lady at Windsor who heard us rehearsing. She was disappointed that she couldn't stay to hear our concert. Then she appeared at the concert anyway so she had obviously gone out of the way to support us. It made the concert seem much more special to me.
Gatwick airport - singing Pueri.
The competition was a big highlight but I also enjoyed just singing on the boats, buses, on the coach and in the streets. Singing in the church opposite the hotel was really nice as well.
The competition was one of the most difficult performances I have ever done. With mobiles going off and a choir rehearsing in a room behind stage it was almost impossible to keep our notes, especially the opening of Aizalaida. But even with these distractions and a strange acoustic, we performed as a united choir, showing the strength of 'singing with our ears'. This, more than singing in a beautiful church, is special to me because I saw us pull through as a unit.
Singing Yo le canto in the competition with everyone getting the claps right.
Performing Rain Dream in the competition because I felt that it was a great performance not just a good song.
The moments when we realised that we had come really high in the placements and the realisation that we had won!
After quickly embarking a bus boat in Venice, a couple of members squeezed to the back outside to view the city. Making sure to keep the doors open, we began singing a song as we floated by towering churches and meandering canals. Soon the whole boat was filled with our singing that was even heard by passers-by on the little bridges. When we finished our song, a couple of tourists took great interest and bought some CDs!
Singing in the friendship concert because everyone was so happy to see us and we sang all my favourite songs.
Singing O Vos Omnes in the little church opposite the hotel. The lady from the hotel came to listen and she was overwhelmed which made me feel happy.
Other Highlights
We met a Brazilian choir whom we befriended after the award ceremony over some Italian pizza. They were cloaked in black with bright, colourful linings, and when they started to sing to us, their whole presence was greatly animated. It soon became a mini-concert between our two choirs, sharing the cultures and generally enjoying the company of people who spoke little English. The many smiles between the two choirs showed us that music is simply universal and understood by all.
Beautiful red sunset on the last night.
Venice, the light, the lake, winning!!!
I liked the feeling after the competition that though we might not win we had put on a good show.
Getting to know everyone, including the adults (and watching David and Stuart run!).
Paddling in Lake Garda with my friends.
Receiving compliments on the choir from 'randomers'.
Busking and getting audiences to smile.
Accommodation and Food
The accommodation and food were really good. The beds were comfortable and I had everything that I needed plus more. The food was really good as well, and I liked all the main courses and starters.
Awesome food, of course, wonderful views - sunsets, lovely staff.
The food was amazing, although I ate too much.
Accommodation and food: brilliant! Comfy beds, good shower, good company, delicious food (nicely balanced with lots of salad and some veg. and fruit.).
I enjoyed sharing with just one other person.
It would have been better to share in bigger numbers rather than in twos.
Random
Spending 20 euros on ice-cream.
Lots of fun getting to know people that I didn't know very well.
Racing David (and beating David!) back to the hotel.
Finding out that we were staying extra days.
Getting praise from the judges for the choir.
Watching the American choir sing Chilli con carne.
Getting to know more people.
I never thought that anything could top last year in Montreux, but somehow it managed to!
I enjoyed the panic and excitement of being stranded in Italy.
Next year we should go on a tour somewhere far away - and for a long time, because tours are amazing!
I now think of the choir as a family.
Best tour I have been on so far - many great memories and strengthened friendships.
What I have learnt about myself
That I can control my spending very well and that I can't sleep on coaches.
That I can sing confidently in competition and in concerts which have bad conditions.
That I need quite a lot of sleep (more than I thought) and that I can begin to get over my fear of flying.
That I can pretty much sleep anywhere. I also eat too much.
That I can survive for a week without facebook.
That going with the same person for everything can drive us BOTH mad!!
That I can go on a holiday and not spend all my money.
That it is important to follow instructions exactly, to help the adult leaders.
That it only really takes seven minutes to get out of bed and be down at breakfast.
Learning to adapt to changes quickly and help others to do so too.
That I need to take more notice as to where I place my belongings and organise myself more.
I can handle large amounts of apricot croissants.
I can live with no baths and just showers.
Verona 2010: on reflection