Solace LIVE Tour Travelogue One
Dear Friends,
It has been some time since our last travelogue because, of course, with the world shut down, there was no tour in 2020. In the spring of that year, when it became apparent that we needed to stop rehearsing and all stay home for a couple of weeks to stop the spread the Corona Virus, like everyone else, we never imagined that those weeks would turn in to months and effectively end our season. It was a great disappointment that we had to cancel not only all our performances, but also any thought of travel. When the fall rolled around, we were determined to do all we could to have a season for those choristers who were able to come. And so, in September, masked, distanced, and often outside, the Georgia Boy Choir resumed rehearsals. It was a struggle, to be sure, to try to make music under those circumstances, but it was better than not singing at all. In fact, for many, singing in Boy Choir rehearsals was their only activity, and for all, it was a tremendous source of joy and delight in dark times.
In January of this year, still operating under restricted circumstances, the Choir recorded a new album entitled SOLACE post tenebras lux. And now, as things are starting to open up, they are taking the contents of that album on the road for a 17-day tour throughout the Southeast Region. On Thursday evening, the 8th of July, the first of the SOLACE LIVE concerts was held on the Choir’s home turf in Atlanta at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church. It was our first concert in 17 months and it was joyous occasion for everyone involved – from the choristers, to the orchestra players, and for the audience. At the very opening notes of the first song, “Do Not Be Afraid” by Philip Stopford, it was evident that it was going to be a wonderful night. The listeners were clearly moved by the beauty they were hearing, and as the boys progressed through the program, they seemed bolstered by the overwhelming response of the audience. It was a wonderful symbiosis. At the end of the evening, even as the final notes of Z. Randall Stroope’s magnificent, “Omnia Sol” still rang in the air, the eager listeners leapt to their feet for an enthusiastic standing ovation. One orchestra member said it was so moving that it became difficult to see the music through her tears. She was not alone.
The young singers then went home to make sure their bags were packed and all met back the next day at noon to hit the road. The first stop – Greenville, South Carolina where they were scheduled to sing the National Anthem for the Greenville Drive baseball game. As they took their places behind home plate in the beautiful stadium, their excitement was palpable, but they managed to maintain their professional demeanor. And then when they sang, it was a glorious rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner. The crowd loudly approved. The boys then took their seats just past first base on the right-field line. It was a delightful evening that included peanuts, cracker jacks, hot dogs, and fireworks. A couple of guys even ended up with a ball tossed to them by one of the players. Everyone went to bed happy.
On Saturday morning they headed for the picturesque Falls Park in downtown Greenville. There they were met by resident artist and friend of the Choir, Mark Mulfinger who had set up easels and canvasses, and all of the boys got a chance to paint their very own masterpiece. Mr. Mulfinger was very encouraging and helpful as the boys mixed their acrylic paints to find the right colors and he helped them with their brush technique as each one put their perspective on canvas. It was a great deal of fun and a wonderful way to spend the morning.
The evening found them in the remarkably beautiful sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church where they sang for an afternoon Mass before then presenting a concert. The room has a magnificent acoustic that is perfect for choral singing and the boys exploited it to the fullest extent, sometimes singing almost whisper-quietly, and other times with a full-throated forte, but always with a refined artistry which belies their age. Once again, the folks who had come to listen expressed their appreciation with loud and long applause.
Their final performance in Greenville was on Sunday morning at the First Presbyterian Church. The Choir sang for three different services and maintained a high level of beauty and dignity. The parishioners were effusive in their appreciation and have already expressed the hope that the Choir will return in the not very distant future.
After a delicious repast at a Mexican restaurant on the northern outskirts of town, their bus took them to Flat Rock, North Carolina After a brief stop to wander the beautiful house and grounds of the great American writer, Carl Sandburg, the boys settled in to their cabin at the Bon Clarken Camp and Conference Center where tomorrow they will present a workshop as well as a concert.
Until then,
The 2021 Georgia Boy Choir Tour Team