The whole trip was truly exceptional. Everyday was a new adventure and not once was I disappointed! My most treasured tour moment was singing in St. Paul's Cathedral and hearing our voices echo while we sang. An awesome experience!

-Lee Larkin

more from our singers and groupies...

I have to begin at St Paul’s: when we stood under the dome to sing, we looked out over a sea of faces; I wondered if they had any idea what they were about to hear. I remembered Douglas saying that “many” had wanted to sing here, but we had been selected. During that concert, each time Douglas gave us a cut-off I felt as though our sound was flowing over everyone, bathing us in a fine mist of glorious tones, like the finest of snow crystals – it was AWESOME!

So many memories: crashing a town garden tour in the Cotswolds, hearing the Berkeley Carroll School Upper School Choir (NYC) in Oxford, a warm cookie at Ben’s afterwards, a walking adventure through the streets of Canterbury; lunch, an unexpected treat at the Food Hall, and dinner that was literally made-to-order! London: watching people, seeing Wicked, an Italian culinary surprise, singing in St. Paul’s and then climbing to the outside of the dome (391 steps up and down), and sharing food and drinks with new friends who will never be forgotten.

Who will ever forget our faithful guide, Susie Howe? “RICHARD!”

How fitting that we should conclude our incredible musical journey together at St. James. I recall they described communion as “peeling an onion from the inside-out…” I was not sure about this, but it was such a moving experience. Earlier in the trip we had talked about hymn-tunes; I had mentioned “O Waly, Waly” and the offertory hymn was a Fred Pratt Green text set to this wonderful melody. The feeling of community during communion was so intense, so real.

I could never forget Douglas; the dreamer, truly the choir-master, with the can-do dream that made this adventure come true…fish-lip tones and all…watch him…the teacher, the master musician …we were a “choir,” a group of individuals who made one sound, always to God. Peace to all…

-Barry Cornwall

Some amusing details of language: buffets in England were not advertised (advertized?) as sporting opportunities (“all you can eat”), but as opportunties to dine selectively (“eat what you like”). As we debouched from our return flight on Virgin Airlines, on an airline established by a non-establishment rock music entrepreneur, I noted that its prime seating was described as “upper class.” There will always be an England.

-H. Talmage Day

Each time someone asks "How was your trip?" I explain how wonderful it was that our singing gave the trip focus. Not only did we visit many fabulous, historic, beautiful places, but a whole new world unfolded to me by being a particpant and actor in addition to a visitor and observer. I could almost imagine myself as part of the medieval English drama. But the "ah-ha" singing moment for me was listening to the tape of our singing "Ye Choirs of New Jerusalem" at St. Mary the Virgin in Oxford - was that really the St. Paul's sopranos soaring (in tune)? That church was the perfect space for us, in my opinion. And when I tell people where we sang - people who have travelled all over the world and know England well - and they say, really? And I say, yes, I'm serious, I stand a little taller, a little prouder of what we have done for St. Paul's and ourselves and for Douglas - and am even more grateful to him for having the vision to make this happen.

-Barbara Day

• singing evensong in Bristol Cathedral - learning from Douglas before the service that our plainsong Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis were the most appropriate settings we could sing in that ancient space - being affected by the women's beautiful singing of the Magnificat (I'm glad we didn't have to sing immediately after that!)
• riding in our coach through the idyllic Cotswolds and suddenly spotting a road sign to Down Ampney, Ralph Vaughan Williams birthplace - what had previously only been a hymn tune name now springs to life!
• understanding the privilege of being able to sing in St. Paul's Cathedral, London - many choirs aspire to, but few are chosen - the pinnacle venue of our tour - the acoustics were simply amazing and our performance of Steal Away, with Laura's soaring descant, was deeply affecting
• as part of the pre-service music in St. James's Piccadilly, the organist played Rhosymedre, a Vaughn Williams organ prelude based on a Welsh hymn tune - one of my all time favorite organ pieces - a fitting close to an amazing 10 days
• lastly, how about that cask ale?

-Derek Walker

Images of you all singing "Keep Your Lamps" at St. James's Church, to a spellbound congregation - not just because of the beauty of the sound you created, but because the words had such meaning to that particular community. You ministered to them in a most unforgettable way, I am sure.

-Sissy Walker

The glorious weather!! The gorgeous church at Dover Castle. The superb tour of Canterbury Cathedral and our very knowledgable docent. Two of the best meals I've ever eaten: Lunch and dinner in Canterbury. Hearing the wonderful resonance of our choir's sound at St. Paul's in London. The moving Communion service where we all gathered around the altar at St. James, Picadilly.

-Chris Martin

At first blush my favorite tour moment was singing at St. Paul's in London. I enjoyed the sound under the dome and the appreciative audience and Bill's remark that he was afraid he'd be underdressed in shorts but then noticed that one audience member in the front row was barefoot. Thanks again for organizing an amazing trip.

-Betty Livingston

More responses from our singers and groupies...

So many favorites . . . where to begin? In the spiritual realm, my time at Canterbury left the deepest impression. As a convert to Anglicanism (rather than the "cradle" kind) I don't think I've ever so fully experienced our roots and my connection to them. Musically? The choir performed beautifully -- I almost soared with the sound as it re-sounded up and up and up into the dome of St. Pauls. And I was proud of the skill with which we introduced English listeners to some of our American spirituals. Fun and fellowship? Thanks to all the singers for sharing the fun with us non-singers. Educationally? I enjoyed learning more about English history than I ever have before in a scant 10-day period -- with a big tribute here to Tutor Susie. Oops! Douglas said to keep the paragraph brief . . .

-Marsha & Bernard Murphy

St. Paul’s Cathedral was wonderful with all its history, the large crypt, the view at the top of the dome, the “whispering gallery” and the design of Christopher Wren. The choir room where we changed was inspiring. As we sang in the church, one could hear the echoes of the music. We sounded pretty good! And the lunchtime audience seemed to agree.

-Carmine and Judy Carosella

I loved hearing our magnificent sound in each Cathedral. Singing a floating high A in St. Paul's! Singing o-o-o with Laura at all venues! Feast of Architecture and History. Loved our Tour Guide, Susie Howe, with her British wit and love of history. At Oxford being on the movie set for Harry Potter. English Pubs! The Globe Theatre and As You Like It! Soho on a Saturday Night and The Jersey Boys!Tours of great Cathedrals. Enjoy the highest Choral Experience of my lifetime....to date! I am anticipating the announcement of our next European Tour! Thanks to everyone in our group for 10 Days of Life Moments!

-Charlotte Woods

My favorite part of the trip was singing "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need" at St. Paul's Cathedral in London. We sang it during our largest attended and best-sung performance. That song had special meaning for me this season because my brother and I performed it at our Grandmother's funeral in May. A week later, my brother had to sing it again at a funeral of a student of his who took his own life at age 18. Singing it at the St Paul's Cathedral concert reminded me not only of the family, friends, and congregation we left to go on our pilgrimage, but also of those who have left us all behind. Through music, we stay connected beyond time and space.

-Erin Crowley

Message from a singer...

Only a few years ago I would have never guessed that I would be singing in cathedrals across England with a quality choir. At our Concert at St Paul’s Alexandria one of my friends commented on how well we did singing most of our music a cappella, I had not thought of it that way. Finally, singing at St Paul’s in London and hearing our music reverberate over us under the dome was a highlight.

-Bill Gemmill

Day 10...

In my mind, Sunday is framed with the amazing experiences of the recent days, concluding our tour Sunday morning with the service at St. James's, Piccadilly in London and walking the St. Paul's Choir mascot Frida in our Washington D.C. Capitol Hill neighborhood just before midnight!

Why did we choose St. James's for our final morning? It is commonly believed that Wren's St. James's inspired Benjamin Latrobe in his design of St. Paul's, Alexandria. What the two churches have in common are the galleries and columns, though St. James's influence is romanesque while St. Paul's is neo gothic.

St. James's Church has an amazing history. It was completed by Christopher Wren in the 1680's. Queen Mary gave the organ to the church in 1690 which was originally in her father's Roman Catholic Chapel in Whitehall Palace. As the Queen was Protestant, she had the Catholic chapels dissolved. Hence, the organ was available. John Blow and Henry Purcell were the first to put the newly installed instrument through its paces. Rebuilt over the years, it is currently not functioning, but the original case remains. The church hopes to restore it in the future. Leopold Stokowski, conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra in the early twentieth century, was at the age of eighteen, appointed as Organist and Choirmaster of the church. In 1940 the church suffered major damage due to bombings. By 1954, restoration was complete. The current organist, Malcolm Hicks, is also organist for the BBC Symphony.

The poet William Blake was baptized in the font (which survived the bombings and still can be scene) in 1757. We sang a number of pieces from our tour repertoire and were sure to include John Tavener's transcendent setting of Blake's The Lamb.

Following the service the choir scattered into the surrounding neighborhood for a quick lunch before heading to Heathrow for home. Those of us sitting at tables to dine looking out onto the street were entertained with a Hare Krishna parade.

Continue to check back on this tour blog as I plan to gather postings from singers and groupies in their own words over the coming days.