Germany and England Tour Travelogue One
Dear Friends,
After months of preparation and countless hours of rehearsal, the 38 members of the Georgia Boy Choir were finally ready to take off for their 2023 Concert Tour. They all gathered last Wednesday at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson airport, full of excitement and anticipation. After a final goodbye-hug to their families, they boarded the plane bound for 10 days in the Bavarian region of Germany, which will be followed by 10 more days in Cornwall, England.
After touchdown at the Munich airport, they were greeted by their own, customized, double-decker motor coach, which transported them straightway to the Bavarian Alps in the southwestern corner of the country. Here they wound their way to the top of Kehlstein mountain to visit the “Eagle’s Nest.” Built in 1938 as a mountain retreat for the nefarious Adolf Hitler, the Eagle’s Nest boasts panoramic views of indescribable beauty and proportion. The only way to access this phenomenal site is via a 400-ft tunnel carved into the mountain, which leads to an elaborately decorated elevator, which then took the boys up another 400 feet to the actual house, which is now used as a restaurant. The boys – who had just been at home in Atlanta less than 15 hours earlier – were in awe of the 360-degree views of the majestic mountains and enjoyed a brief hike up one of the nearby trails. Several said it was the most beautiful site they had ever seen. It was truly magnificent. As they made their way back through the tunnel to the bus, they formed a double line and recessed singing George Talbot’s triumphant setting of Psalm 150. The harmonious sound of their voices reverberated off the stone walls and out into the mountain air around them. The other visitors couldn’t believe their good fortune to get to witness such a display of aural beauty. Many were moved to tears.
Upon their return to Munich, the young Georgians were greeted enthusiastically by their friends from the Münchner Knabenchor (the Munich Boys Choir). Just this past April, the Münchner Knabenchor visited Atlanta to participate in the Georgia Boy Choir International Festival at Atlanta Symphony Hall. While in town, they stayed in the homes of choristers in the Georgia Boy Choir. Now it was time to reverse roles and the Germans were going to host the Americans in their homes. It is a beautiful relationship and a marvelous cultural exchange.
After a welcome night of rest in their friends’ homes, the Choir visited the Dachau concentration camp. This sobering experience served as a powerful reminder of how grateful they are to live in freedom and the importance of remaining vigilant against prejudice and evil that could threaten to undo it.
The Theatiner Kirche in Munich, with its brilliant, yellow exterior, and ornate bright interior was a marvelous location for the first concert of the Tour. The immensity of the church’s sanctuary provided a rich, but somewhat challenging acoustic. As the first notes of their singing echoed through the vast space, it was clear that the singers were up to the challenge, and those in attendance were in for a very special treat. Singing with a vitality which belied both their tender age and their travel weariness, the boys and young men poured themselves into the music. Each song was met with a warm response from the audience. Near the end of the concert, they were joined by their cohorts from the Münchner Knabenchor for a brilliant performance of the rousing Trinity Te Deum by Ēriks Ešenvalds. It was a thrilling and inspiring moment.
Following the concert, the choristers from both countries enjoyed a delicious meal together. As they bid farewell the next day, there were many hugs and even a few tears from the families who had hosted them. While the members of the Georgia Boy Choir were sad to leave their friends, they were excited about the adventures that awaited them at their next stop.
Until next time,
The 2023 Georgia Boy Choir Tour Team