Tweaking the blog

I noticed my last post (the entire itinerary) was quite lengthy, so I edited out the gory details. We will hopefully include them as we blog during our journey. I also added some new pictures - scroll down and see a couple from the Ladies Lunch in February.

9 days and counting!

Bill

Our Itinerary - we leave in 10 days!!

Daily Itinerary

First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood Chancel Choir Tour

      

 Day 1, October 8, Friday: Depart USA

This afternoon, depart Lambert St. Louis International and Chicago O’Hare International Airports via American Airlines for your overseas journey to Manchester Airport. Complimentary meals and beverages will be served aloft.                                    

     
      Day 2, October 9, Saturday: Arrive Manchester - Edinburgh

     
      Day 3, October 10, Sunday: AM/Sunday Worship Service at St. Giles’ Cathedral – Followed by excursion to the Lowlands including St. Andrews

After Scottish breakfast, you will be transferred to St. Giles’ Cathedral to attend the 10:00am Sunday Worship Service. .

 Day 4, October 11, Monday: Highlights Tour of Edinburgh –Evening/Gala Dinner at the Prestonfield House

At 12:00 noon, enjoy a formal concert at St. Giles’ Cathedral presented by First Presbyterian Church Choir..

Day 5, October 12, Tuesday: Edinburgh - Durham - York

     Day 6, October 13, Wednesday: AM/Highlights of York – PM/Evensong at York Minster

At 11:00am, enjoy an a cappella recital at York Minster presented by the First Presbyterian Church Choir. York Minister is the largest Medieval Gothic cathedral north of the Alps and a treasure house of 800 years of stained glass.

     Day 7, October 14, Thursday: York – Coventry/Arrive the Midlands

At 12:00 noon, enjoy a recital at Coventry Cathedral presented by the First Presbyterian Church Choir.

                     
     Day 8, October 15, Friday: AM/Excursion to Stratford – PM/Leisure

     Day 9, October 16, Saturday: Oxford via the Cotswolds

    Day 10, October 17, Sunday: London via Salisbury & Canterbury

At 1:00pm, enjoy a recital at Winchester Cathedral presented by the First Presbyterian Church Choir.

Independent lunch.  Continue to London hotel check-in. Independent dinner.  Continental breakfast tomorrow morning. Overnight in London.                      

     Day 11, October 18, Monday: Full Day at Leisure in London

     Day 12, October 19, Tuesday: AM/Highlights of London; Concert – PM/Leisure

At 1:00pm, enjoy an a cappella recital at St. Paul’s Cathedral, presented by the First Presbyterian Church Choir.

     Day 13, October 20, Wednesday:  Return Flight Home

This morning, you will be transferred to London Heathrow Airport for the return flight home. 

Repertoire List

Choral Recital

The Chancel Choir of First Presbyterian Church

Kirkwood, Missouri, USA

Mr. William Stein, Director

Exultate Deo   --Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

Kyrie Eleison (Missa Secunda, 1599)   --Hans Leo Hassler

Cantate Domino   --Giovanni Croce

Three Traditional American Tunes, arranged by Alice Parker

   Jesus Died On Calvary's Mountain        

      Thomas Lowery, soloist

   I Will Arise

   Come Away to the Skies

Down in the River to Pray   --arranged by David Mennicke

   Christine Hemphill, soloist

The Morning Trumpet   --Howard Helvey

O Lux Beatissima   --Howard Helvey

Three African-American Spirituals

   Soon-Ah Will Be Done   --William L. Dawson

   Ev-ry Time I Feel the Spirit   --William L. Dawson

      Thomas Lowery, soloist

   Ride the Chariot   --William H. Smith

History of the Tour

We had originally planned to tour in October 2009, but with the economic crisis, many of our members were feeling a financial cruch, to put it lightly. I made the difficult decision to postpone the tour one calendar year, a decision which I don't regret in the least! There are 42 people going on the tour, 28 of whom are singers.

In early 2010, a brave group of women in the choir (now officially dubbed the "Choir Queens") met to brainstorm ways to make the trip exciting for everyone and get members of the congregation involved. They decided to raise funds to pay for any of our faithful and grossly underpaid section leaders who wanted to attend. We did a Hymn-a-thon in January, where on a sunny Saturday we sang nearly 300 hymns from the Presbyterian Hymnal in under 8 hours; a Ladies Luncheon in February, where the Gathering Space was transformed into an elegant cafe, and several tenors and basses served as the dashing waitstaff; and the big "Dinner and a Show" in May, complete with food, wine, and great entertainment. The good news is that we met our goal and were able to fund 4 trips!

I'll post again in a few days and talk about what we will sing and where and other juicy details. Thank you for following our journey!

Peace,
Bill

Stay tuned!

Friends,

In just a few weeks members of the Chancel Choir of First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood, MO, and friends will embark on a 13 day tour of Scotland and England. During the tour we have the honor of performing 5 mid day choral recitals. This blog has been created for our families and friends at home to follow along with us as we journey from Saint Louis to Edinburgh, through England and ending in London.

I will update you as we prepare in the coming weeks, and regular posts will begin in early October. Departure day is October 8th. Stay tuned and we hope you'll check back often!

Bill Stein
Director of Music Ministries