Graz, Austria Tour 2008: News and Photos

 

 

Monday, July 7, 2008

  • Brooklyn Youth Chorus arrived in Vienna today after pleasant and uneventful flights. 
  • The group successfully made the tight connection in London for the flight to Vienna, Austria.  
  • Everyone was in good spirits as the group was making their way to the hotel.
  • On the agenda today is a brief tour of Vienna.
  • Tomorrow we will have photos on the website.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Day #1: Next stop - Vienna, Austria

BYCA choristers and families filled the corner of Pacific and Court Streets on Sunday, July 6th as Concert Chorus began its journey to the World Choir Games in Austria.  Excitement filled the air as choristers loaded their luggage into the bus, said goodbye to family, and settle in for the trip to JFK airport:

Angela and Jossy are gearing up to go!

 

Tiarah's thinking hard and hoping she hasn't forgotten anything

 

Gregory's ready to travel in style

 

Lily Pisano's having some camera fun

 

This chaperone, Jo Ann Navickas, is ready to go

 

Mom, Franklin Stone, waits to say goodbye to her daughter

 

Leovina's ready to hit the road!

 

BYC takes over the corner of Court and Pacific as they load the bus

 

BYC staff is all smiles!

 

Angela and Jossy have made their lists and checked them twice

 

Nathan and Angela share their final goodbye

 

Chorister families prepare for the send off

 

Amanda is all smiles and ready to go

 

Kate makes sure that no bags get left behind

 

One last hug before the bus

 

Andrea and Nia Drummond wish Sharon Williams-Lindo and Ingrid Baptista well as they head off as tour chaperones

 

Matthew loads his luggage

 

Angela and Matthew are ready for their European adventure!

 

One last look at the choristers before they take off

 

A big goodbye

 

Bon Voyage!

 

Gute Reise!

DAY #1: JFK TIME:

"Look, Ma! I'm going through security!"

 

"Whew! We all made it through security!"

DAY #2: VIENNA, AUSTRIA:

Baggage claim is always a blast

 

"Did someone say it's time for lunch?!"

 

The choristers visit Hundertwasser Haus, one of the most visited sites in Vienna

 

Built between 1983 and 1986, the Hundertwasser Haus features undulating floors, a grass roof, and trees growing within.

 

The Pisano family sent in some of their own photos from the departure day to share.  Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are a few more photos from the Hartnett family:

 

 

More photos, courtesy of Franklin Stone:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

DAY #3: VIENNA, AUSTRIA:

Guten Morgen!

Tuesday we had a walking tour of the historic 1st District of Vienna.  The choristers marveled at the beautiful Baroque buildings and the lovely parks.  We saw the city cathedral, the Hofburg palace buildings, the column erected after the city survived one of ten bouts with the plague.  Some of us even had a look at some prancing Lipizzaner horses as they took a few turns around the courtyard outside the Spanish Riding School.

 

We met and sang for the Vice Mayor of Vienna (who sends her official regards to friend and colleague Marty Markowitz, who helped arrange our visit—Thank You, Marty!)  She treated us to Viennese sausages, served with your choice of ketchup (which we learned is a German word), two types of mustard or horseradish!! 

 

Our performance at the University of Vienna exceeded even our expectations.  The Chorus sounded lovely in the beautiful concert hall and an audience of over 300 Viennese gave us lengthy applause after our hour-long concert.  Vienna was home or birthplace to Mozart, the Strausses, Brahms, Beethoven, Wagner and many others and it remains a town that knows and loves music.  We were honored to be so well-received by such a discerning crowd.  An excellent adult chorus, Conventus Musicus, graciously hosted us and presented three songs before we performed.  See their website: www.conventus.at

 

Choristers are in high spirits and enjoying all the new things—Sacher torte is a big hit!  And we’re getting plenty of it!  The chorus has had fun celebrating two birthdays, Nia Drummond on July 7th, and Eliza Schultz on July 8th. 

 

 

St. Stephan's Dom


Our Vienna tour guide tells choristers about the Dom

A close-up view of a typical courtyard of Viennese city apartments

 

The beautiful Lipizzaner horses of the Spanish Riding School

 

In front of the Hofburg Royal Apartments

 

The whole group meets at the Royal Apartments

 

The decorative dome covering the entrance of the Royal Apartments-- a chorister favorite!

 

 

Choristers enjoy the stately Hofburg Heidenplatz

 

 


Lining up for our performance for the Vice Mayor of Vienna

 

 

Singing for the Vice Mayor and her staff in the courtyard of the Viennese city government buildings

 

BYC and the Vice Mayor of Vienna exchanged picture books about our home cities

 

Vice Mayor poses with the chorus

 

The flyer for our concert at the University of Vienna

Chaperones plan a reunion in Brooklyn with the Vice Mayor

 

Our favorite musicians get ready to play

Relaxing before our performance at the University of Vienna


 

One last look at that music!

 

Let There Be Peace on Earth

 

Choristers enjoy dinner after their performance in Vienna

 

 

 

Chaperones and Margit, our tour guide

 

 

 

Jean and Dianne at dinner

 

Thursday, July 10, 2008

  • Word from Graz today is that the chorus gave a performance of a lifetime in the qualifying round of the Youth Choir Mixed Voices category. The group is on a high.
  • Now, what will the judges say?  As soon as we have word, we will pass it along.
  • Also, we will be putting photos up later today.  For some reason, the submission from Graz is moving slowly.  Please check back this afternoon for an update.

Friday, July 11, 2008

We apologize for the delay, but we've finally received photos from the past few days!  Enjoy!

 

Wednesday, July 9, 2008:  On the road from Vienna to Graz:

 

The group takes a rest stop in the corn fields of Austria

 

Nia Drummond looks lovely in the Austrian pastoral scene

 

Posing with new friends from Russia

 

Wednesday was the opening ceremony of the fifth World Choir Games, and there was a parade through downtown Graz.  Here are some of the photos from the walk to the Sadthalle:

Indonesia

 

Latvia

 

Mexico

 

 

Thailand

 

Due to a delay, Concert Chorus was unable to check into the hotel and get into their performance uniforms.  However, the group merrily marched in the parade representing the US and Brooklyn:

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, July 10, 2008:

Overheard on the BYCA bus:  "I'm so used to Austria now that I don't see how I can ever go back to New York.  I forget what Times Square looks like."

 

Postcards for home

Shopping in the historic center of Graz

 

Scenic Graz

 

Rehearsal before our competition

 

Talking with Matthew before our performance

 

All smiles after our fabulous performance in the treble voice category

 

Playing a hand game with new friends from Russia

Our outdoor concert at the WCG Gala-- representing the US!!

Sam at the well

 

Nature imitates Art!

Jossy gets into the act

A note on competition results:  We Don't Know Anything Yet.  We are in regular communication with the group and they had not heard anything as of last evening.  We will update the site as soon as we hear!