Slacker!

Okay... I must admit, I had every intention on writing the blog following dinner last night! Oppsss... I fell fast asleep as soon as I returned to my room.

What I will tell you is that we had one remarkable day in Venice! From the boat ride into the city at 8 am to the late night return for dinner at 9pm... What a day!

I am going to run to breakfast now... We have a long long long long bus ride to Rome this morning! I will actually have the kids write several blogs today and will post them when we get to Rome!

It was great to see the parents in Venice today... What a treat!

Ciao...

Hillard

PS... We received almost all luggage today! Kimery is still missing one of his bags... but as he says "Dont sweat it Hillard.. look where we are!"

Well 5am did not hurt as badly as I thought it might. We were all up and ready to move on to our next country!  Our train departed Salzburg at 6:15am and I really thought everyone would fall right to sleep.... NOPE! To much to talk about, recant, relive.... and how in the world could anyone sleep as the sun gave light to the breathtaking views we witnessed from our windows as we were winding in and our of the Austrian Alps. 

Such comments as "I have never seen something so beautiful".... "How do people live in so much snow"... "Look... I am so going to live in a castle like that in the Alps"

No longer tired weary eyes.... every angelic face sported wide sparkling eyes! What amazing sights.. both in and outside the train cabin! 

As we approached our transfer stopped, we realized it will take much longer than the normal 3 minute stop to get all 48 of us and ALL our luggage off the train. What is a person to do when they need to move a massive force in a strategic fashion with a desired outcome... You assign Erik Kimery! He was the man with the plan... and we were off that train in plenty of time... All of us enjoyed being under Erik's coaching if only to move bodies and luggage! 

We enjoyed pastries and cafe's and chocolates in the small town of Villagh before boarding our final train to Venice. As we gather in the center of the train station, I heard yet the familiar cry.... Lets Sing! Hillard... lets sing... and that is we did! Delighting travelers who instead of rushing to their platforms, paused to see what in the world these American teens were doing. Before stepping to their trains they whipped out cameras and video recorders to capture the moment they were experiencing. As we sang our 3rd or forth number,,, i wonder how many personal videos the SE can be found on from all over the world? Hmmmmmm.

Well we arrive to meet one of my old friends Rita Felici... someone who has guided me on a few occasions... but also sat in the front row of our last concert here in Rome years ago. She is so excited to see these young singers! I look forward to the days she has planned for us.

With what time we had, we took the kids to Menestra city center, for they will be spending alll day in venice tomorrow! Still quite chilled, they return to the hotel for their first Italian meal...

A big bowl of pasta came first along with endless rolls and olive oil! Most grew stuffed on that not realizing there was a salad round and the main course... AND of course dessert! Oh tummies were full and eyes could hardly stay awake. Everyone headed back to there rooms ready for us to check them in for the night. Tuck in went faster this night than any in the past!

Speaking of which... I need to hit the sack!!!!

All is well.... Still waiting on the missing luggage.... very big trip 

OK... Im actually falling asleep as i write this! Tomorrow I am going to make a student write the next blog! I need my bed........

Hillard

We have arrived in Venice.

I am sitting on the floor in the hallway with 10 of my sweet kids! Exhaustion is on everyone's face... well actually a combination of exhaustion and eager anticipation for the canals of Venice!

I only have a half an hour before I need to join la mia bella cantati at dinner! I promise to report on our day's adventures once dinner is complete. I am meeting with my chaperones and our new guide for Italy! Once I get a chance to go back to my room for the evening!

Hillard

Hey parents...

JUST FYI...

My phone does now work over here... YAY!

In case of an emergency I can be reached... my number is in the Hammond directory!

Hillard

PS...... I promise pictures to come!

The hills are alive with the Sound of Music

Well I do not know about the hills... but SALZBURG was alive with the sound of Hammond today!

The entire school community can be very proud of the amazing performance by the Hammond School Select Ensemble in the morning Mass of Salzburg Cathedral!! With over 1000 in attendance, our singers sung like angels in heaven. 

As is typical at mass, everyone adjourns to begin their normal Sunday... however today, most stayed in hopes that the young American singers that so blessed their service would sing more... and more... AND MORE!

After wishing us a very happy new year, Professor Czifra said it "would be his personal privilege to have this choir back to sing in the cathedral anytime!"

After a quick change out of our formal clothing... we are poised to take on the city. From Mozart birth house to the Byzantine monastery, from the Mirabelle Gardens to the Salzburg Festspiedlahus... our young travelers invade Salzburg. Nothing could be finer than to spend some personal time in a side cafe with a Bavarian hot chocolate... well maybe... some of our singers became quite good on the ice as they ice skated outside the Cathedral they earlier sang.

Now we are all in our rooms resting up for dinner before our early train ride to Venice! 

I see these young people growing together! The experiences they are sharing are forever tightening the bonds with some as it expands relationships with others! From singing to laughing in the street... for a moment in time these young men and women are seeing there is life outside of Columbia! There is a world to explore and taste, and they have but just taken the first bite! What a fantastic day!

I am off to dinner, where I must break the news that they have to be up at 5am! 

Best wishes to everyone at home!

Hillard

Silent Night....

Well... 

Kathy Dunne and I have just checked and taped all the little ones into their very nice and VERY comfortable hotel rooms after a trek of over 6000 miles in over 30 hours!

Where to begin...

We all arrived with great energy and excitement in Charlotte only to find out that our flight would be delayed by 3 hours into Atlanta. I FREAKED out! There is no way!!!! We had to catch an international flight at 4:45pm... we were not going to make it!

For hours we waited as the agents of Delta worked and worked and worked... Our kids were INCREDIBLE! Never once did they lose a smile, ask a question, or decrease their excitement, energy and positive attitudes! I on the other hand was melting down on the inside! I knew there was no way they would be able to rebook 48 travelers the day after christmas! How was I going to look into the faces of these young professionals who have worked so hard for so long and tell them that this trip was over before it begins?!?!? I just could not!! What was I going to do!

Erik Kimrey was a rock... by my side the whole time telling me "Hillard... something great is going to happen!" I must admit... I was not believing it! Kathy Dunne and Luci Shields were steadfast in their support and manned the long line of traveling kids as they waited for me to report from the Delta Desk! There is a reason these people are with me!!!

As delta scrambled to remove 48 passengers already seated on two planes that were waiting to taxi away from their gateways... the call came! It was Lufthansa.... calling to say they heard there was a situation and 48 passengers had to get to Munich to sing in Mass in Salzburg!!! They had empty seats on their DIRECT flight from Charlotte to Munich leaving at 5:30pm!

Angels watching over me.... US!

There is much more dram to the story in which I will share with everyone once we return... but long story short... All of us got on a better airline with a direct flight to where we needed to go! I was elated!!! You know what... the oldest of us (our much deserved chaperones) received upgrades to business class... Oh MY!!!

We arrived in Munich very near the time we would have had we made it to Atlanta! With only one minor issue... Kimery, Prickett, Kocher and Sullivan's luggage was sent to Atlanta! GRRRRR! However, all bags have been located and are en route to our hotel in Salzburg!

Once again this amazing group of singers rally together.. all those missing something now have plenty of things to wear... including performance outfits for tomorrow's Mass! Maybe there is a reason why several bags were over the weight limit... but Lufthansa said "No worries... we are just happy to have you aboard!" AND TRUST ME... They will always have the Select Ensemble aboard if were are so fortunate to travel in the future!

So we arrive, exhausted but ready to tackle Munich... Our Austrian tour guide Janusz and our local Munich guide Markus (which many of our young ladies adored) met us at the airport and began our city tour of Munich. 

FREEZING! Yes Freezing.... with snow flurries blowing in the 19 degree wind our troupe bussed and walked throughout Munich. With a highlight of stopping in one of Munich's oldest churches St. Peter's (The first of two in which our kids will sing) and singing right before their noon mass! Bringing tears to many eyes (including my own) our kids for the first time ever heard themselves as the several second reverb echoes their voices off the marble and stone structure. Then it was on to Francis Kirche. Here we sang several numbers quickly drawing a crowd of several hundred! As we exited the church, our local guide said that the church was built to hold at capacity 20,000 people and that if we had continued singing we would have "maxed" the church out within the hour!

It was then these young singers realized just what this gift of singing is really all about. After an independent lunch... YES on their own... ooooooooo... independent lunch of boiled sausages, WienerSchnitzel, kraut, potatoes and several other local delicacies.. we boarded our buss for a 2 hour trip to Salzburg... EVERYONE CRASHED! I have some great pictures!!!

We wake everyone in time to see the passage into the majestic Alps. Unfortunately, the low clouds and grey haze hindered some of the view... but nonetheless... it was beautiful!

When we reached Munich... we walked together for a rehearsal in the Salzburg Cathedral! WOW... can these kids sing.. THEY ARE DEAD! I mean tired.. no energy... NOTHING... but as they ascended the steps to where they would be singing.. LIFE! LOVE!....... SONG!

Once again drawing a crowd... an even larger crowd this time... only as they rehearsed! This is just a rehearsal and they are receiving the amazed onlookers who are moved by what they are hearing! The maestro, choir master of the Cathedral was impressed.. many kind words of appreciation and adoration did he share with our singers... and trust me.. he knows what he is talking about! I must be honest... he called me maestro.. me, I mean I know all of you call me that.. but really Professor Janos Czifra, the great choir master called me "Maestro". I was honored!

Well we wrap our rehearsal up, walk through the city by night with all the beautiful lights and get back on our bus bound for the hotel! Ah the promise land....  a hot shower, great food and a very comfortable bed. 

We check in, have dinner and as I started this long message... Kathy Dunne and I just checked them all in for the "Silent Night"! I too much get off of hear cause there is a shower screaming my name! Please forgive the many mistakes and errors in this message as well.... for I do not think I can even go back through and check it!

Before I go to sleep.... do let me say this... THANK YOU! From the bottom of my heart!!!! Each one of you have given so much for this to happen... and I have to be honest... it is already well worth it! Thank you for giving me you children! For supporting this choir and our endeavors! Your children make me so proud... Rest assured we are safe, healthy and happy... exhausted right now... but extremely happy!

Much love from Salzburg!

Hillard

PS... my d@mn phone is not working! I was told Blackberry's are international... GRRRRR

I am trying to figure out a way to get a hold of  Verizon. If someone is willing and able to help... please email me directly at steven_hillard@yahoo.com

if i can not get it to work, this will be the only way you can really get me.. unless your child has an international phone!

GutenTag

Ok... I am late for dinner... but I want everyone to know WE ARE GREAT!! Moved many to tears (in a good way) today at our rehearsal in Salzburg Cathedral! 

I promise I will post A VERY LONG message on the incredible adventure we have already experienced!

Love from the SE!

Hillard

We are on our way.... We will arrive in Munich at 8:10am their time... All safe and together on lufthansa flight 429 from charlotte direct to munich!!

Bags are packed! I'm on my way into school... Hope the gates are open!

For me this morning will be chalked full of energy and anticipation. Making sure all the tickets are distributed, passports collected, and final hugs doled out to anxious parents as they bid us farewell!

Today we will gather together at Hammond, bus to Charlotte Douglas airport, take a quick trip to Atlanta before we depart for our 7 hour flight to Munich. After arriving at 8am (2am our time) we will spend the entire morning and afternoon touring throughout one of Germany's most beautiful and delightful cities.

Then on to Salzburg via a picturesque drive through the Alps! The adventure begins!!

Preparing...

While it is Christmas Eve and there is always an energy and excitement in my life at this time of year... There is even more today as I begin to prepare for our tour.

I have developed this blog to help keep those loved ones who will remain home informed as we sing our way through Europe.

I will be heading home today to spend a few hours with my own family, before returning to Columbia and take my "big" family on this incredible adventure. I am so looking forward to 9am Friday morning!!

Let it begin!!