And away we go!

The choristers arose with a song in there hearts. Well rested, they proceeded to Granada for a lovely cold breakfast. Once again, a song preceded the serving of breakfast. After breakfast, Ms. Voigts talked to the choir about proper behaviour for the opening tonight and the mass choir. The choristers need to keep there energy and focus high, essentially being SCC Energizer Bunnies.

The morning was filled with rehearsal until 11am. Our Artistic Director was well pleased with this final vocal rehearsal for the Contemporary Competition. After a short break the choristers took a public bus to the Powell River Recreation Center, which is also the home of the Great Hall.

The choristers had a bag lunch on the lawn of the center and then practiced their lineups for the songs that will be performed in their first performance tomorrow.

The choristers then broke into two groups. One to go swimming at the recreation center, the other to proceed to the Shopping Mall. Souvenir hunting has begun in earnest.

Supper tonight was a Mr. Mikes. The choristers ate hamburgers and french fries. Unfortunately, the choir could not return to the hotel to change for the Gala Opening. So the wise and wonderful chaperons had each chorister bring a towel to wear over their uniform at dinner. That clever idea saved a choir uniform or two.

After supper the choir took the bus to the concert site. They quickly assembled with the 20 other choirs, over 1000 people, for a grand entrance. This was followed by an introductory prayer and welcoming speeches. Then a few selected choirs performed followed by the debut of a new orchestral piece.

It is impossible to describe the awesome feeling of so many people gathered in one place for the love of music. This festival is clearly fulfilling the promise of being a lifetime memory.

The Story of the Day, as told by chorister 94

Ok, so we were all at the mall and the only way we could get back to the hotel was if we took city transit. Well, we waited a while outside the bus stop when the bus pulled up. We began to board and the bus driver said that he couldn't take all of us. It looked like half of us would be walking ALL the way back to the hotel. Fortunately, the driver seeing the look on the chaperon's faces said that he'd take all of us if we could fit in. We did, but it was VERY squishy.

A Slide Show taken by Chorister 93