Lake Maggiore and Baveno

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Trip Start Jun 09, 2008 Previous
Entry Trip End Jun 18, 2008

  Baveno, Piedmont, Italy
Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Hi friends and family,

We were on the road to the Lake region by 8:15 a.m. and made excellent time and arrived in Baveno by 3p.m.  As we drove through Italy the clouds moved in and it rained very hard while on the highway.  Not a great omen for an outdoor concert.  Lunch was off the highway at another rest stop.  Many had pizza, crepes and salads.
Checked into a very cute hotel overlooking Lake Maggiore.  Baveno is a very scenic and charming town.  We gave the kids free time to explore and get organized. Several of the kids rented bikes and went around town and into Stressa.  Others practiced, got haircuts, shaves, played cards, and got their bags organized in preparation for tonight's concert.  Glynne, Craig and I went to check on our concert arrangements for the Festival.  We were supposed to play as part of the Patronage Festival at the Plaza, but with worry of rain the organizers decided to cancel our concert.  They ended up canceling our concert, without providing an alternative so Glynne then made arrangements for us to play at our hotel.
Dinner was divine.  We were served a choice of soup or pasta, roast pork, and Tiramisu for dessert.  Several of the kids had seconds and even thirds....wont mention any names, but I'm sure you can guess who.  It was all delicious.  It was a lovely meal for our last dinner in Italy.
We set up for our concert outside (it didn't rain after all) and started our final concert of the tour.  It turned out to be a wonderful way to end our tour.  We played for over an hour overlooking Lake Maggiore and we played as the sun went down.  
It was very symbolic of our journey coming to an end - both the tour and the fact that this would be the very last time that this group would all play together.  In fact as we began the concert with Corelli (which in the past has been the graduation song) I couldn't help but get choked up and a little teary eyed at the start.  
Despite the occasional motorcycle noise my students played their hearts out and the audience grew as the locals began to stop and enjoy what turned out to be a beautiful concert.  
After the concert the students had to work off the "bones"/demerits.  For each bone they had to do 10 burpies (up down push ups).  It was quite entertaining.
Afterwards we were treated to gelato by Glynne and Pat (our guides) and had one last walk along the Lake.
One last bed check and a final bit of business and we are off to the airport tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m.

I have to say that I was very pleased and thrilled to work with Kameron Bybee, -our US contact for Fame International and Glynne and Pat Stackhouse (our Fame International representatives/guides while in Italy) they ended up doing an incredible job for us throughout the whole trip.  Everything was stress free and seamless. The Venues that they set up for us throughout Italy were incredible.  I wish you could have been at some of these churches and hear the acoustics of these Parishes.  We would finish a phrase or song and the sound would vibrate for quite some time.  It was glorious.

I've been so proud of my students this entire trip and tonight was just the icing on the cake.  They played with personality and charm.  They have made many admirers along the way and would be welcome back in a heartbeat.  I can't tell you how many people have commented on how talented the students are and how well behaved they have been.  It has been a pleasure and honor to lead this group.

See you all in Salt Lake.

Kathy and Craig

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Seniors	Group Shot after concert	last gelato!	Lake view 1
Bones	Concert Shot 2	Dinner Service   Comments!	Hotel Concert Space
Dinner Table	Glynne & Pat

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