We are home!

It was so cool to see families and welcome signs when we pulled into Faith Lutheran around 9:30 last night.  You really didn't need to bring the fireworks as well, but it was a nice touch! Enjoy the pictures from your kids, myself (now edited), and Mr. Bill Cook.

Number of concerts that the touring choir had in 11 days: 10

Number of kids who had to leave the stage during a performance due to illness: 0

Amount of money donated for charity at our Chlumec concert: over $500

Making music with old friends and making cherished new ones: Priceless

Danube River Tour

Sadly this wonderful experience is coming to an end.  We ended the day with a concert at Saint Salvator to a receptive crowd even though tears were plentiful.  We have had a magical time in Europe and have represented well with our music.  We will see you back in the states and be sure to check our pictures on the links that Cristina Zukowski and Bill Cook have open.

On behalf of Dr. and Mrs. Jacobs, Mr. and Mrs. Mollard, and Mr. and Mrs. Zukowski, thank you thank you thank you for sharing your children with us.  We will remember them and this tour forever in our hearts.

Danube River Tour 2015

Wednesday we arrived in Passau Germany. Today we sadly ended our riverboat portion of the trip and we had to say our final goodbyes to the great crew of our ship The Amadeus. We started out the day with a walking tour of this historic town which is at the confluence of three rivers. Much like Pittsburgh there are many great bridges and many hills to walk up and down. Our group attended an organ concert at St. Stephens Cathedral followed by free time for lunch and shopping before checking into our comfortable hotel. While some of us took a few hours to rest up some took a swim in the hotel pool. We then headed off for a combined concert at St. Pauls which was greatly attended by the local community. We wrapped up our day with a late dinner at the hotel before heading off to bed.

On Thursday after a buffet breakfast at the hotel we loaded up the bus for our six hour journey to Chlumec in the Czech Republic for our performance with the Chlumec choir. After a great lunch and a greeting by the mayor of the town the locals explained the local history and put on a historical military demonstration where Mr. Mollard shot off an old military rifle. The local choir performed a number of songs prior to our concert and we finished with the combined choirs singing Let It Go. After the concert both choirs walked over to a local school for a dinner put together by the locals. What a memorable event watching the kids spend time socializing together for this cultural and educational experience.

      

Danube River Tour 2015

Regensburg!  We took a walking tour to the Old City where we walked along cobblestone streets.  A visit to St. Peter Cathedral caused many singers to sit inside and remark that they could sit there forever.  There is a concert later on this afternoon and the Captain's Dinner tonight.  Stay tuned for those pictures.

Danube River Tour 2015

We boarded the bus for a two hour trip to Salzburg Austria, the birthplace of Mozart. We started with a one hour tour through the musical district where we saw many historical churches, Mozart's house, and several cafes and shops.  The open air market was full of meats, fruits and veggies, chocolates and jumbo pretzels.  We saw many of the sites where The Sound of Music was filmed and we were asked to sing Do Re Me on the same steps where the Von Trapp children sang that very song.  We had a group lunch of weiner schnitzel at a cozy restaurant where we entertained our waiter with the Cantate by Schutz.  Oh and by the way, the waiter just happened to be a descendent of Heinrich Schutz himself!  We ended our day with a concert and sightseeing/shopping before boarding the bus to Passau.  It is an understatement that this has been a once in a lifetime enriching experience for all.

Danube River Tour 2015

Mass in Austria?  What an experience!  It is so wonderful to see and hear the amazing comments that we hear when congregating outside of our venues.  Small children and a friendly dog came by to hear an impromptu Shiru and after the song was done, the dog gave a timely bark.  Then after a wonderful sit down lunch on the boat complete with Vienna Schnitzel, we headed to Melk Abbey where we were applauded after a wonderful performance.  Some singers were overheard saying that their lives were now complete after the performance here.

Danube River Tour 2015

From Bratislova to Vienna, we have learned so much about European History. Be sure to quiz your singers when they get home!  Slovakia was spent with a bus and walking tour to a castle, complete with museum and treasure room.  Then, the singers were able to enjoy a relaxing afternoon on the boat.  The next day was a whirlwind of bus and walking tours, shopping and concert in the beautiful city of Vienna.  The singers were able to see St. Stephen and sing in St. Michael churches.  Our concert host was incredibly pleased as to how 130 guests came to see the concert and not one of them left (an unsual occurrence).  The church history boasts an incredible mark of being the place where Mozart's Requiem was first presented.

Danube River Cruise 2015

Wow! What a surprise and wonderful performance the touring choir had in Esztergom Basilica.  We were greeted by the locals who welcomed us into the church where we met the Mayor who presented us with gifts, and a television crew which taped the concert for later viewing on their evening news.

Our bus tour guides have been wonderful giving us the history of the countries that we visit along the way. Memories are being made so often that we hope to possibly keep them forever.

Danube Cruise 2015

What a wonderful time we are having in Hungary!  All of us enjoyed a 5 course dinner last night, complete with smoked salmon, prawns, and choice of duck or eggplant.  The chocolate lava cake was a treat as well! Thankfully our flights were uneventful, and we arrived in our cabins to enjoy the trip ahead.  Wifi is spotty here, but please enjoy photos from Cristina Zukowski (click the above picture) and Bill Cook (click his link on the right hand side) along the way.

Tour Starts

Singers and tour participants will be departing from Faith Lutheran Church at 2:30 June 23, 2015.  Singers are asked to wear black tour shirts.  Don't forget to pack your black polo shirts too!

St. Peter's Concert

CALL TIME IS 1:15

Getting ready for tour!

We will need a completed medical form and copy of insurance card for all singers for our Danube Tour.  There will also be a parent meeting on JUNE 8 at 7:30 pm at Faith Lutheran during our regular rehearsal.  Witte Travel will be there to answer any of your remaining questions.
Here are some important documents for your reference:

May Calendar
June Calendar
Medical Form
European Packing List