Day 7 Choir Tour: Philadelphia Freedom

Ah. The City of Brotherly Love. As we mentioned, we have been watching the John Adams mini-series when we have longer trips, so imagine the excitement of the entire group to step off the bus this morning in Old Town, Philadelphia, and see Independence Hall down the street!

This morning Dr. Anneliese Payne and Dr. Janet Clark headed back home, but had to get their flight redirected to avoid the snow which was headed to Detroit. They arrived safely this evening and they will be missed.

We broke into small groups and explored the city most of the day, only to return to the bus by 5:00 p.m. Because the historic district is relatively condensed, some smaller groups would end up at the same location, sharing whatever else they had just seen with the others. Most chose to go first to the Visitor Center, where they provided free tickets to Independence National Historic Park, where Independence Hall, Congress Hall, Old City Hall, Philosophical Hall, and more are located. The Park Rangers who were stationed at each hall provided extensive information and history on each facet of the location, and answered questions in depth and with a wonderful grasp of context as well as dates and names.

That is Tiffany glass in the mosaic behind these students

In Independence Hall, we were able to see that the size of the rooms where great debates occurred are actually very small! In addition, George Washington's chair remains original to the space, with a wonderful story about Benjamin Franklin's observations of the "sun" image engraved on the chair.

Independence Hall and Congress Hall

Way in the back, center, is Washington's chair

Behind Independence Hall

Pretending to be part of the deliberations of Congress

Chatting with a Park Ranger outside of Congress Hall

We learned that after the initial hairline crack in the bell had been repaired, it was rung again on George Washington's birthday for a celebration and the old crack reappeared and kept moving up on the bell, so it was never rung again.

Liberty Bell!

Checking out the display prior to seeing the Liberty Bell

Christ Church Burial Ground:

Many signers of the Declaration of Independence are buried here...
one of the most historic cemeteries in the country

Whoops! Tilt your head to the left and you'll see
Benjamin Franklin's tombstone, designed to his exact specifications.

Christ Church

Michael Boswell in front of Christ Church

Christ Church was incredibly interesting, and the guide was very knowledgeable explaining about all the historical figures who had attended church there: George and Martha Washington, Betsy Ross, John Adams, and many more. One group of Woods students who had come through today took the opportunity to sing after being asked by the guide. They broke into "Amazing Grace" in the church which served as a place of worship for those who founded our country. The building was flush with history and walking through felt like stepping into a time capsule. At one point, the 8-year-old on the trip (daughter of the two music faculty on the trip), along with a music student at another time in the day, both got the chance to ring the bell in the back of Christ Church. It was unassuming and didn't seem particularly special...but we found out it is 300 years old, older than the Liberty Bell and older than our country. It had been forged in England, brought to the Americas, part of the Christ Church until it was lent to another church for a period of time. Over time it was lent to various places, and ended up in the basement of a hospital and was gone for about 200 years. Just a couple of years ago, the bell was uncovered in the basement and found that Christ Church of Philadelphia was inscribed on the bell so it was returned. It still rings a beautiful tone!

Benjamin Franklin funded the cost of the steeple of Christ Church
At that time, it was the tallest building in the entire country.

Inside Christ Church Sanctuary

Christ Church bell which is 300 years old and still ringing

 Betsy Ross:

Alleyway leading to entrance of house Betsy Ross stayed in for three years

 All around Philadelphia there was literature and calendar of events related to Women's History Month. Still, there are few places and symbols which truly depict the impact that women had on the colonial period of history. Betsy Ross, though, was like the men of that time...changing with the times and adapting as needed. She was an upholsterer (unusual for women of that time), but after the Revolutionary War, less people wanted fancy upholstered items. At that time, she began working for the government/military sewing uniforms, etc. She was also widowed three times.

We can't write about Philadelphia and not mention "Rocky", right?

 There was so much to see and learn today, that it cannot possibly be all included here. More places were visited than mentioned here, but overall, it was heard over and over again "I love this place!". On the bus ride to the hotel in Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C. at the end of the day, there was a quick stop for dinner.

Looking forward to tomorrow!

Day 6 of Choir Tour: Remembering our History and Delaware Bound

Waiting in line for the Ferry to Ellis Island

After an early breakfast, the group loaded up the bus, checked out of the NJ hotel, and headed to the Ferry to Ellis Island (NJ side). The weather was spectacular, and riding on the water was quite pleasant. The wobbly feeling of the boat jostling in the water, and the occasional loud horn took some students by surprise! Many took pictures of the NY skyline from the water and while a little hazy, it was still very nice. As we rounded the bend to truly take in the Statue of Liberty, many were struck by the impressive symbol of our freedom and independence. One person remarked that for those immigrants who had traveled through horrible conditions for so very long on the water, to come into the harbor and see the Statue of Liberty, it must have been an incredible sense of excitement and gratitude. The island is very small, but has several buildings on it in addition to the statue. Most of the buildings are no longer used, and some had more recent damage from Hurricane Sandy, but the processing center is still a symbol of transition/connection between our past, present, and future. We then took the ferry to Liberty Island, to see the Statue of Liberty up close.

Main Building on Ellis Island

The Registry Room - where our ancestors were documented!

 

She is much more impressive in person...wow!

Pictures do not do her justice...

Our international students!

Perfect PR pic for NY

Enjoying the view of the Statue of Liberty

Ellis Island is a place one could stay an entire day and still not learn everything there is to know about the immigration history of our country. The displays were very informative, explaining everything from the number of immigrants throughout various eras, where various immigrant groups settled in the United States, the history of Slavery in the U.S., the history of how Native Americans were treated (e.g. Trail of Tears, etc.), the role of music in cultural identity and how it was used (still is, by the way), for cultural groups to relate better in an environment that may feel hostile or unrelenting. Folk songs were used centuries ago by immigrants coming to this country to maintain cultural stability and continuity. Over the years, these folk songs have blended to create new song forms and music which is more indigenous to this country.

Rehearsing on the bus on way to Wilmington, DE

Conducting a piece while traveling
down the highway is an acquired skill

Following the awe-inspiring visit to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, we loaded back on to the bus and headed for Wilmington, DE, where the choir would sing their concert at the Aldersgate United Methodist Church, where a good friend of Michael Boswell, Jeffrey Manns, is conductor and tenor. The choir rehearsed in the sanctuary, maintaining their focus as workers pounded on the roof, doing work on the church. At times it sounded as though the roof might cave in with the loudness of the hammering, but the choir forged on and everyone was relieved when it finally ended 30 minutes before the 7:00 concert time! 

The church fed everyone, providing pasta, salad, and pizza, which was so wonderful after many days of eating in restaurants. There was a very "homey" feel to the church and the people who volunteered their time to provide the meal. The choir concert was lovely, with area church members in attendance, including one SMWC alum from the class of 1970! Some highlights were the opening piece which incorporates whistles and bird sounds (isn't the human voice incredible?), a set of multi-cultural folk songs (Korea, Ireland, and China represented!), a lively piece which includes pats and snaps, and a set of sacred pieces, which ended with the song "Invitation" which the choir sang in France two years ago. As they sang, their faces brightened, their bodies relaxed, and their voices filled the room. One of Jeffrey Mann's church choirs (he said there are 9 different kinds of ensembles at the church) joined the SMWC choir for two pieces (Clausen's "Set Me as a Seal" and a gospel piece) at the end of the concert. Once again, a collaborative effort led to a wonderful musical impact!

Michael Boswell conducting Chorale

Jeffrey Manns and Michael Boswell (tenors/conductors extraordinaire)

Michael Boswell conducting Madrigals

Shelby Partin, flute

The group then got back on the bus and headed for Philadelphia where they will stay one night, sightsee all day on Wednesday (apparently in rain), and then head to Washington, D.C. Wednesday night!

Tomorrow morning Dr. Anneliese Payne (SMWC faculty) and Dr. Janet Clark (Vice President of Academic Affairs) will leave the tour and head back to Indiana by plane. The SMWC Choir wish them safe travels and say thank you for joining them on the trip!

Another bus teaching moment

Mother/Daughter pic (Photo Credit: K. Boswell)

Youngest member of Choir Tour (Photo Credit: K. Boswell)

Passing time (Photo Credit: K. Boswell)

(Photo Credit: K. Boswell)

(Photo Credit: K. Boswell)

(Photo Credit: K. Boswell)

(Photo Credit: K. Boswell)

(Photo Credit: K. Boswell)

(Photo Credit: K. Boswell)

Day 5 of SMWC Choir Tour: Lincoln Center Performance Day!

Steps outside of Lincoln Center

The day began a little bit off kilter because unfortunately, Michael Boswell (Director) was very ill throughout the night and was still sick as the students were dressed in their performance dress and waiting in the lobby! SMWC music faculty Sharon Boyle (also Michael's wife) relayed his request that the students eat lunch near the hotel. Our bus driver set the GPS, but we ended up going much further than anticipated! The students were wonderful, listening to all directives, following them, and really working together as a group to make sure everyone got to the rehearsal on time. Michael joined the group after lunch, still not feeling well, but not about to miss the reason we are all here in NYC! The students got their performance folders, music ready, and off we went to Lincoln Center for their 2:00 call for dress rehearsal! We actually arrived early, so there was time for pictures.

The day is here!

In front of Lincoln Center

Our group with Hilary Apfelstadt, DCINY Conductor

 The students had dinner on their own during the 4:00-6:15 p.m. break and then it was showtime at 7:00 p.m.! Seeing the size of the women's choir was impressive, but seeing our students up on the Lincoln Center stage was thrilling. The choir sounded really wonderful, singing a range of songs which were categorized under sections such as "We revere women in spiritual bliss", "We salute women in celebration", "We hear women in moments of reflection", and "We honour women in observations of the world". A piece by Michael Sample, "Cancion de Los Tsachilas" included percussion and was energetic and exciting, incorporating rhythmic elements with the native language of Tsafiki (used by the indigenous community of the Tsachilas located in the northern coastal region of Ecuador). An interesting piece of information is that by purchasing the piece to sing, each ensemble actively helped to protect and promote the Tsachila community as a portion of proceeds from publication were sent to the community directly!

Director Michael Boswell with his family

The set on reflection was particularly beautiful, with Joan Szymko's "Always Coming Home" incorporating cello and piano, and using text such as "May your soul be at home where there are no houses" and " Walk carefully, walk fearlessly, be always coming home".  "In the Lavender Stillness of Dawn" by Jocelyn Hagen used violin, cello, and piano to accompany the choir on a beautiful piece which pulled images from the music and into the air with text (Poetry by Meggan Tavel) blending so wonderfully with the music: "Drifting on the edge of a dream, Dancing on the tail of a song, Swimming in a sea of violet soft clouds, In the lavender stillness of dawn". In addition to seeing our students sing with their whole selves on the stage, it was also a wonderful moment when all the directors from the choirs participating in the event came out on stage to take a bow. Despite being so sick earlier in the day and still not feeling well, Michael was able to come on stage and be recognized with the other directors.  The second half of the program consisted of a combined mixed choir, including the Brooklyn Children's Choir, to perform Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana".

Another surprise for many of the students was getting to see Sydney Guillaume, composer of the commissioned piece for Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Madrigals, "La Providence" (listen here), who attended the concert this evening!

Woods alumnae, President King, various staff, Cabinet members, and students from the Spring Break Service Trip all were in attendance. A lot of Woods support for a really special event.

Michael Boswell with composer Sydney Guillaume

A few of the Madrigals who performed
Sydney Guillaume's piece "La Providence"

The evening ended with some of the choir members opting to go to the "performers only" reception held after the concert, which apparently had an amazing spread of food. Those who did not choose to attend the reception came back on the bus with the "non-performers" of the group and were delighted by the spontaneous group sing of "Let it Go", led by the 8-year-old daughter of Michael (Boswell) and Sharon (Boyle). It seemed like such an appropriate way to end such an incredible day. Tomorrow morning the group will take a tour of Ellis Island (ferry ride) and see the Statue of Liberty before embarking on the second half of the tour, starting with a concert in Wilmington, DE.

Reception for singers (Photo Credit: Kirsten Webb)