Day 2 - Opening Ceremonies & Workshops

It's 4:30 PM in Stockholm and we're just wrapping up our first full day. the billet families are picking up our kids now. they'll have a few hours down time, some supper and then return to listen to one of the evening performances. I know that many of us had questions about the billets and how everything would work out - from what I have seen and heard the kids are having a great time and are being treated as one of the family. All was well organized here at the school and the billet parents had to sign in with the school before taking the kids back to their homes.

This morning started early (8:30 AM here but it did feel a little like 2:00 AM) with the opening ceremonies. There were 1682 students and choristers in attendance and when they sang "Let the Future Sing" - well just image the power in all those voices! The choirs were all presented on stage, there were speeches (even the Swedish Minister of Culture was in attendance) then we sang the theme song again!

After that we had lunch - which to everyone's delight was Swedish meatballs - with lingonberry sauce (just like cranberries, actually) then moved across the hall to prepare for our workshop. The choristers were all looking a bit tired after lunch, and the acoustics in the room were not great - Zimfira, i think, was getting a little concerned - but as usual with our talented group - when it's crunch time they call on all those practices and rehearsals and move into high gear.

The workshop showcased works by Canadian composers and Zimfira discussed how multiculturalism makes it's way into the music we sing. The choir performed Uber, Le Train, Watane, Las Amarillas (sp?), and then the youth choir sang Torn Screen Door, Boy, Boy, Boy (again apologies for spelling) and Tondo. We finished with Tjack and a suprise encore of Dancing Queen, which had the whole room on there feet singing and dancing with us!

Zimfira also talked about the differences between choral music in Europe and choral music in Canada. clearly, things are different here. There is a tradition and history of choral music in Europe that we do not yet have at home - I'm hoping that we are on our way to helping create that history and tradition in Canada with this talented group. I can't tell you how proud it makes me to be here with them.

Tomorrow is another busy day - we have our evening concert at 7:00 - 9:00, with rehearsals from approx. 4:00 PM on. I'll try to get some of the choristers on who have not had a chance to contact home directly - if you haven't heard from your chorister yet - know they are all fine, having a great time and waiting for the jetlag to wear off.

more pictures tomorrow!!