On January 11 & 12, BYU Singers recorded several pieces for a new Eric Whitacre CD. BYU Concert Choir joined in “Her Sacred Spirit Soars,” a composition for double choir. The recording sessions were in BYU’s Museum of Art, which has wonderful acoustics. All lights were turned down to avoid all possible noise–hence the dark photos. The choirs were thrilled to have Eric with them for the recording sessions, both to hear his input on interpretation and to experience his delight at their performances of his pieces. The recording will be available for download on iTunes sometime in the spring or early summer, or as a CD on this website.
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Sunday, May 27 Cape Town

The choir attended three different wards or branches in the morning. Two of the branches were in townships, and those of us there were thrilled with the Spirit evident, and the warmth of the members. Hugs and handshakes from the members were the order of the day. And the singing! I wish you could hear the black members sing. It puts us all to shame.

18 of us were hosted to an incredible dinner at the mission home that afternoon. The senior missionaries and Pres. and Sister Egan were so very gracious and fun, and the mission home itself is beautiful.
Continue reading ‘Sunday, May 27 Cape Town - Tuesday, May 29 Home!’ »

Our final day to sightsee had arrived. We spent the morning on a 45 minute boat ride each way to and from Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated 19 of his 26 (I think) years in prison. A former political prisoner who was held there was our guide, and he emphasized the horrible conditions that we could plainly see. It’s very good that chapter of history is done with, but we are all very aware that the country is still adapting to it.
Continue reading ‘Saturday, May 26 Cape Town’ »

Friday, May 25 Cape Town

The choir enjoyed their night off at the hotel in preparation for the final concerts. We began the day with a beautiful drive to a short boat ride at Haut Bay to enjoy the island of rocks that was absolutely covered with seals. They slept and frolicked and everyone was enchanted. And then the boat circled the island and we suddenly smelled the output of thousands of seals…the boat couldn’t exit fast enough for some of us. Such incredible views here, though.
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If you were having trouble getting to the post for May 23, it’s been fixed now. Thanks to Matt Milner for giving me the heads up that it wasn’t working.

The hour drive from Hermanus to Stellenbosch was gorgeous. Wish the bus had stopped about every 100 yards for a photo op. Instead, we arrived on schedule and split up to shop or visit museums or enjoy simply walking around. There has been precious little exercise on this tour. The market was a good place to wander around and haggle, and those who went elsewhere had a good morning. Then lunch, and back on the bus to travel to Cape Town.
Continue reading ‘Thursday, May 24 Cape Town’ »

Breakfast at 9 AM and a 10 AM departure. Sheer luxury. Some were warm last night, most were not. This area just doesn’t get this cold very often (snow on their mountains as we are driving by!) and they don’t have heaters to compensate. At least the rain has stopped and we have mostly blue skies; that has lifted spirits considerably. We hope for no widespread illness after being cold and wet for two days.

Continue reading ‘Wednesday, May 23 Hermanus’ »

Just as we thought we couldn’t be wetter or colder, today came. Many of us wore just about all the clothes we brought, and huddled on the bus. Having the bus tip over in the winds might have been a worry had not so much Cadbury chocolate been consumed over the last two weeks—that helped the ballast. We did emerge once for a quick snack/lunch and a short walk over to a beautiful gulch that is a well-known feature in the area. A mini Grand Canyon of sorts. The large semis roaring by just inches from us on the road provided some excitement, as well as extra wave of water from their tires. It was worth it for the view.

Continue reading ‘Tuesday, May 22 George’ »

By the time we met at the Haven Hills Chapel this morning, last night’s wind had turned into this morning’s gale. Were we really complaining about the heat just a few days ago? Silly, silly choir. Today’s kind of cold is seen around these parts every 25 years, with gale force winds that just about knocked us over, and rain coming down in solid sheets. Every time we needed to leave the bus to go anywhere, the rain spigot opened full force. We had very soggy Singers, and no real place or way to get warm and dry.
Continue reading ‘Monday, May 21 Port Elizabeth’ »

Saturday, May 19 en route to East London

Another very, very early day to make our flight to Johannesburg. We had to fly there to fly to East London, as that was where there was a plane large enough for our group and luggage. South African Airlines still serves meals on hour-long and 90-minute flights, so everyone survived.
Continue reading ‘Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20’ »