Final Day In Italy
Trip Start
Jun 24, 2011
1
17
Trip End
Jul 04, 2011
Where I stayed
Rome, Lazio, Italy
Sunday, July 3, 2011
The famous Spanish Steps are not a big deal deal to our tour guides. They said they are given that name because they are the stairs in the Spanish Squasre which is named that becaus eit's the place of the Spanish Embassy. But many people were there anyway taking photos and sitting on the "Spanish Steps".
One of the main streets is well known for its high end couture shops. This square is also well known as the location of the first McDonalds to be built in Italy. It's in an old beautiful building but was recently renovated inside and is huge and very modern. It covers two levels of the building.
On our walking tour we went to the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. It's amazing, you just round a corner and there is the most amazing, ancient building. The Pantheon was originally built in ancient times but was completely destroyed and the current Pantheon was built in 126 AD, still pretty old!
After our tour we went back to the hotel for dinner, change into concert dress and off to the final concert. The final concert included 2 bands from Canada, one from New Jersey, one from Mountain View, California and our groups. The Canadian bands were adult Music Societies and the rest were high school ensembles.
The performance took place in Chiostro di Buon Pastore. The building was originally built as a convent, then used as a hospital for TB patients, at one time it was occupied by the Germans during the war, and now its a school for music.
Each group performed 1 to 3 pieces individually with Frank Ticheli conducting one they played of his music. San Marcos and Mission Hills performed Radetsky March, Junk Funk, and Joy Revisited, with Mr. Ticheli conducting Joy Revisited.
Then, for the finale, all the musicians performed three Ticheli pieces together.This was about 260 musicians at once. They played San Antonio Dances, Amazing Grace, and concluded with Vesuvius. It was amzing!
This was our final night in Italy. We went back to the hotel, arranged for the 4:00am wake up call, packed and some of us slept. I don't think any of the students did.
This was an amazing journey to be a part of and I'm so proud of our students and their performances!
Radetsky March - http://youtu.be/A2r8Xwiwjhw
Joy Revisited - http://youtu.be/09BTHZew6I8
Vesuvius - http://youtu.be/Slkse3LZcrs
Comments
Laurie, thank you so much for putting this together!
next best thing to being there! I know you and your family will cherish the experience for a lifetime. Only one question- where's the Paris part!?