Northwest University Choir |
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A Northwest University Choir comprised of 61 students toured England and Wales May 7 - 15, 2006. On Sunday, everyone was on time for a 4:00 am departure from the campus, even though many of them had sung at Commencement the previous day. |
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On Monday, the group arrived in London arrived at 6:45 am. They immediatly boarded private motorcoaches and traveled to Windsor Castle for a tour. In the afternoon, they enjoyed a professionally guided tour of London. Then dinner and early retirement. |
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On Tuesday, the group sang at Cantebury Cathedral (perhaps best known because Thomas à Becket was murdered there) and at Southwark Cathedral. |
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On Wednesday, the choir sang a recital at Winchester Cathedral and then visited Salisbury Cathedral and Stonehenge. |
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On Thursday, the choir visited the famous Roman Baths in Bath and then sang a recital at Bath Abbey. That evening they enjoyed an evening of "choral camaraderie" with the Penarth Male Voice Choir in surburban Cardiff, Wales. |
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On Friday, the group visited Cardiff Castle and sang an afternoon recital in Bristol Cathedral before proceding to Stratford-upon-Avon. |
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On Saturday, they toured the birthplace of William Shakespeare and performed an informal concert at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Aven. Later that afternoon they proceeded to Cambridge. |
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Sunday began with a 7:00 am breakfast. The choir participated in two services at Great St Mary's Church, which was built in the late 15th century. That afternoon students had the chance to tour Cambridge and several took advantage of an opportunity to go "punting" on the Cam River. Sunday evening, the students enjoyed a final dinner together and shared refletctions about their experiences. |
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Overall, the tour was an incredible opportunity for Northwest University students to visit some of the most famous cathedrals in Great Britain. Even more, the aural quality of their singing complemented the visual majesty of these architectural masterpieces. The choir's director, Bill Owen, received many heart-felt and enthusiastic compliments after each performance. One couple, who worship every Sunday at Winchester Cathedral, said, "This choir was absolutely superb. We hear quite a number of choirs from around the world, and this was the best choir of young people we have ever heard." After the concert at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon, one woman commented, "They brought tears to my eyes." On Monday, about half the group returned to Seattle, while others embarked on ministry and tourism ventures throughout Europe. |
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