Day 0 - The journey begins....

Saturday. It was "check-out day" and "meet Andy day". The day started with a rehearsal in the Board Room which was also choked with the girls' luggage. It was check-out day and there was a healthy anticipation of moving on to our next base and, more importantly, meeting Andy in Palm Springs. There was a diversion on the way, though, as the girls were taken on a guided tour of Walt Disney Concert Hall, an impressive structure that is the home of LA Philharmonic and built in 2003. Apart from its amazing acoustics, one of its unique features is that no surface on the outside of this building is at a 90 degree angle. Oh, and the girls got to sing in here - even though it was impromptu and brief. Another tick in the box: at least they can say that they've sung in the Walt Disney Concert Hall ;) Then, it was on the bus again with the short, lunch stop at Ontario Mills (California!), en route to Palm Springs - and Andy. As we neared Palm Sprigs, the landscape transformed from flat, dry concrete jungle to a dry rocky/sandy outlook. Flanked by a mountain range on either side of us, with the valley floor on which we were driving peppered with wind turbines, the image one got was: hot, windy and dry. And so it turned out to be. As we turned down Rattler Road to our final destination, ... (Be right back).

This day was much anticipated as it was "Outlet Shopping Day". However, before the girls could spend their hard earned cash, there was work to do, starting with a music exchange with the California State University. California State University This was an interesting mix that brought together our "college" students - i.e. secondary school level - with their "college" students (university level) so there was an immediate age difference. Their group ranged from 18 to 72 years of age. It was a very warm and connected exchange with both choirs interested in learning about each other's style, technique and, on a personal level, countries. They were particularly impressed with our facial expression, deportment and movement (in our songs involving Maori dance). The standard was high from both choirs and our girls gave a very good account of themselves. It was quite poignant that our exchange took place in the Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Centre. The girls were surprised to learn that one of the songs in our repertoire, Sing (Sing a Song) , was a hit song for Richard and Karen Carpenter (of Carpenters fame). The university provided a lovely lunch for us and then it was on the bus again bound for Citadel Outlet Centre. The girls couldn't get there quickly enough. Citadel Outlet Centre There isn't much more to say about the shopping other than: the girls had fun no one got left behind the girls were free to do their own shopping so we cannot vouch for what they'll bring home :) All too soon, it was on the bus again to our next exchange with Claremont High School. Claremont High School As we approached the school, there were two students holding large posters emblazoned with "New Zealand Choir" so we knew we'd arrived at the right location. They were soon joined by other students as they escorted us to the auditorium where we were to perform together. The choirs, again, greeted each other with genuine warmth and friendship - further validation that music is the universal key that unlocks the door to people's hearts. But, first, they fed us .... really well. We were treated to another meal of spaghetti (meat and vegetarian) with lots of add-ons like salad, garlic bread, soft drinks and dessert. There was certainly no reason to go hungry here. There wasn't much opportunity to learn or teach songs to each other but the joint concert went really well and our girls, once again, gave a good account of themselves. Their choir and director were particularly mesmerised by our embodiment of Maori waiata and culture in our repertoire.

Day 4 : Music exchange with El Monte High School; Guided tour of Sony Picture Studios; Workshop with Dr Jo-Michael Scheibe; Performance at University of Southern California Imagine an American high school out of the movies or TV; well, this was what our Choir was faced with. The girls felt like they were walking onto a movie set except that this was real. Music is one of the few things that can bring people together in an instant. As we entered the auditorium, their music group came to greet us and it was such a warm and genuine welcome. The two choirs (theirs and ours) interacted like they'd know each other forever. Even our normally shy girls were in the thick of it and talking to our hosts. And then the singing started. They taught us one of their songs and sang a few more; then it was our turn and we shared some Maori culture and waiata with them followed by a lunch put on by them. You would have thought these two choirs have known each other forever. They sang many impromptu songs together and just hung out. Too soon, it was time to go to our next stop, Sony Picture Studios. This wasn't too dissimilar to the quintessential American theme park but of significance and relevance was our visit to the Barbra Streisand Sound Stage - one of only two venues in the world (the other being Abbey Rd Studios (Beatles!, et al)) which have "perfect acoustics". This studio is where they record the score for movies (John Williams is a regular here) as well as contemporary music by the likes of Beyonce, Andrea Bocelli, etc. And this studio was built in the 1930s. I don't know how they measure perfect acoustics but, apparently, even wallpaper affected the acoustics when they put it up a few years ago so they stripped it off quick smart. Our girls had the privilege of actually singing on this stage. Another world first for Auckland Girls' Choir. How many choirs can say that they've sung at Sydney Opera House, Disneyland and the Barbara Streisand Sound Stage? Trust me: not many, if any at all. Next stop was University of Southern California where our girls finally met up, or caught up again, with Andy Eisenmann, who will be hosting us in Palm Springs in a few days. Andy took the day off to come and see the girls - this is how much he was looking forward to seeing us again. We also had our workshop with Dr Scheibe, which was invaluable. It was enlightening and heartening to know that what Dr Scheibe was teaching the girls was in line with what we've been trying to teach them. I suppose, hearing it from a different voice/person, meant that this was better received and actioned by the girls; things like projection, interpretation of the music; building up sufficient air to support your voice, and so on. *** This concert, for me, was the sign that said that our girls were finally ready! And, further, it vindicated the many extra workshops that the girls had to endure as it really brought out the professionalism and quality of the Choir. Everything came together in so many ways and the girls sang beautifully. Day 5 : Perform at University Veterans' Centre and visit San Diego zoo. The girls had a great day out at San Diego zoo which was bisected by a performance at the above centre. It was an eye opener for the girls to visit the centre and perform for its elderly residents. Again, the girls gave an excellent account of themselves with one of the residents even inviting us back. Dinner was at the Spaghetti Factory followed by the 2 hour bus trip home to Anaheim. Another successful day it turned out to be. Footnote: Our girls are holding up exceptionally well. By now, you will have seen that the tour programme is packed with lots to see and do. The nights are long and the mornings are ... early! However, the girls are coping well and rising up to the rigours of touring. But, more importantly, the girls are learning so much from the experience. You can hear this in their voices and you can see it in their faces when performing. There is no question that this tour has been very successful to date.