Links to photos and media

Friendship concert video (thanks Deb Wise!): http://www.choir-tv.com/video/Atlanta-Young-Singers-Treble-Concert-Choir/2265ad1ef1988c97377842bc5bfa5c69

Competition concert video:
"Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit"  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCCXOg9wk8g
"Child with the Starry Crayon"
part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3p3OIKnAjA&feature=relmfu
part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rpoWwJShgY&feature=relmfu


Photos from Capture Cincinnati. You can pay to download or get prints of these photos through the website.
http://www.capturecincinnati.com/search?q=Atlanta

From the official World Choir Games blog: http://blog.2012worldchoirgames.com/2012/07/10/parade-of-nations-rocks-downtown-and-fountain-square/

News article from the Kentucky Post(our kids are shown at about 3min): http://www.kypost.com/dpps/shared/week-2-of-world-choir-games-underway_7672191


Youth Chorale mentions:
http://blog.2012worldchoirgames.com/2012/07/06/cultures-come-together-at-the-folklore-competition/

http://twitter.com/CityOfCincy/status/221053151690752002/photo/1

http://www.capturecincinnati.com/photos/710021?utm_campaign=Facebook+Widgets&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook

http://www.capturecincinnati.com/photos/705924

DAY 11 – 19 JULY: Home again, home again, jiggity-jig

After an exciting cab ride to the train to catch a plane the Singers 

sacked out on flight 1477.

The happiest escalator ride, ever

Pride and joy

I (Brianne) have taken TONS more photos and some videos to share with you, so click the link below to see more from this wonderful tour!

PHOTOBUCKET Album from TCC World Choir Games

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank every Singer and my AYS colleagues for making this such a fantastic experience:

Paige: We'd have no reason to tour if not for the musical artistry and leadership of our Music Director. The progress the kids have made since October is remarkable. Who expected a gold diploma? Paige's hard work, discipline, and inspiration pushed every Singer to reach higher, and together they achieved ART on a world-class scale.

Ginny: The planner, organizer, driver, kid-schlepper, and logistics maven (among a million other things). Can you believe how much we crammed into 10(ish) days? Buses, planes, trains, subways, taxis, boats, concerts, meals, AYS tour gear (she dreamed up the look for the tour shirts and messenger bags, AND she created our super-cool tour logo design!), hotels, venues, registrations, and a million other things! What a huge undertaking!


Bill: The nurse, the scout, the solution finder, the navigator. Bill is the man on the street--he seeks and acquires every thing we'll need in every location--drugstores, grocery stores, bus stops, interesting local attractions and he's always taking care of everyone. 


Millie: Our fantastic accompanist is also a well-known choir director in her own right. Who else can play Rachmaninoff-to-Purcell & gospel-to-Latin music with such joy and precision, all while bonding with and supporting every Singer? Millie has been a perfect addition to our team in every way. Her musical artistry definitely helped inspire the Singers reach the gold diploma level.


Singers: Your adult staff enjoyed you so much! Your humor and intelligence, your talent and musicality made this tour a delight every day. We all feel lucky to have the chance to work and make music with such wonderful young people. Every bit of inspiration you get is reflected by the inspiration you give us!  Thank you!!!!! We love you!!!!!


I have really enjoyed taking photos and putting up Singers' posts to stay in touch with folks back home throughout this tour. I know I will come look at the blog again and again to re-live these sweet memories of our first (hopefully not last!) World Choir Games! 


 I am grateful to be a part of AYS. We really do bring music to life. All of us!

DAY 10 – 18 JULY: Navy Pier, Architectural Boat Tour, Pizano's, and Blue Man Group

Happy birthday to Sophia!

Singing for the folks at Potbelly's Sandwiches

our friends at 

  542 S. Dearborn St.

CHICAGO, IL 60605 

The staff at Potbelly's loved our kids so much when we sang there on Monday that they asked when we were coming back to sing for them again. 

Jerry (in the black shirt) was very moved by the singing because he was in a choir when he was a kid, and our performance "brought all the memories rushing back." 

Birthday Girl Sophia

Kids with the Potbelly's Crew

Navy Pier

Architecture Tour

Hannah with the "corn cob building"

Singing for the boat tour

Our Architectural Tour Guide loved every second of the performance!

PM Photos:

Fashion photos for Pizanos and Blue Man Group

Bill sampling the gnocchi

Toasts, wonderful food, and fun 

Blue Man with Josh, Sara, and Sydney

Joey (fem) and Blue Man

  The post-storm trek to the subway for our final sleep in Chicago

Singer News:

Hey Mother,
How have you been? I can't wait to see you tomorrow :). Tonight we are going to the Blue Man Group. I am sad that tour is almost over, but I want to see you!
It was really nice to see Amy, Ellabella, Abigail, and Aunt Maureen and Uncle Frank.
I love you!
Sydney


I'm having such a wonderful time on tour & I've made so many new friends. I really miss my cat Baby, so hug her for me. And Happy Birthday, Perry. Sorry it's so late. I love you guys. Have fun juicing stuff!
Love,
Palmer

DAY 9 – 17 JULY: Performances at the Hancock Building and Crystal Lake

Today we're gearing up for two performances:


11:30 at the Hancock Building in the garden


7:00pm at First Congregational Church in Crystal Lake!


If you're in town, come out to see us!


12:19am Central Time update:

Former AYS member Sophie Cox joined us for the day! Hooray!!!


Here are a few photos from today. Night night!

Breakfast singing at the Chicago Takeout Diner

On our way to the top of the Hancock Tower

Workshop with Ann Tucker at the Community Church in Crystal Lake

Evening train to Chicago

Deja vu

DAY 8 – 16 JULY: WCG/CHICAGO 2012 Hello Chicago!

AYS sings at the Cincinnati Museum Center/Train Station at 2am

The best Amtrak guys work in Cincy

Tom and Bob!

Catching the train 2:23am

Another great Amtrak Guy, Fred

The Great Hall in Chicago

Evening concert at Millenium Park at the Frank Gehry Amphitheatre

Pic-a-nic! 

Charles Bradley broke it down!

Kids at "The Bean" aka Cloud Gate

Singer News:

The last few days in Cincinnati were fun. We went to Skyline Chili twice. We went to museums yesterday and at 2am we took off on AMTRAK for Chicago. We're on our way now. I miss home, but I love being here.
Hannah


Hi Mom and Dad,

Things are going great!


 I can't believe we won gold! We'll probably be back in the games in 2014! I miss you guys a lot and I can't wait to see you soon. I had Skyline chili twice!

Although there's a lot of good news I am sad to tell you that my camera's been lost. I looked all over the hotel and couldn't find it. I lost it on Saturday night. I gave the people at the hotel my phone number and camera description and my name so they can return it if is found. I am very, very upset about losing my pictures, but I will not let that ruin my tour. I have given my close friend including Miho. When I lost my camera I was really glad that I have good friends that would help me. I am also very thankful for the help Ms. Millie gave me (even at 12:14am)

Almost everything happens for a reason so I want to learn from this experience.

I miss you a lot!
Love,
Sophia

DAY 7 – 15 JULY: WCG/CHICAGO 2012 Last Day in Cincy

Singer News:


Dear Mom, Dad, and Audrey,
We won gold! Yay! We're going to Chicago tomorrow!
Love you! See you soon!
Henry




Hi,
We just finished the Choir Games. We got gold! It was so fun! When they called our name half of the choir started crying. The Closing Ceremony was so cool. We got to sing "Defying Gravity" with Idina Menzel. Tonight we are going to Chicago at 1:30 in the morning. At first I thought it was a typo. Wish us luck!
--Eliza




Mom, Dad, & Alana--
How are you doing? Yesterday was amazing. We won the level two gold certificate (we didn't get a medal because we competed in the Open Category) and Idina Menzel sang at the Closing Ceremony. Tonight we are going to Chicago, which I'm super excited about. Please remember to bring more clothes, my phone (and charger) and my iPod (if you found it) with you to Chicago. How is Atlanta?
I love you and can't wait to see you (most of you) soon,
Nell




Hi Mommy!
We have had a great time here in Cincinnati! Today is our last day here and we're going to be at many museums. We'll be getting on a train at 1am tonight! How are Zachary and Benson doing? Did you hear we got a gold diploma? I hope you're doing well. I can't wait to get to Chicago!
Love,
Joey S (boy)




Dear Parents,
 Here is a diary of what we did. I enjoyed our trip a lot. Yes, I have black socks and would like a volleyball camp!

Monday--we rode the bus until we reached the MicroTel. I slept well

Tuesday--We checked into WCG and met a Russian group called Apelsinchik (funny orange). I like our hotel. I bought a WCG fedora.

Wednesday--Bill was mad because I woke at 6:00. He thought it was 7:00 and told us to rush, but then he realized iw was 6.
We competed with our four songs today. A judge cried during Frobisher Bay. We met a group from Northern Kentucky and they were nice. We had amazing food provided by WCG.

Thursday--We woke up at 7:40 and went to breakfast. We met a Jamaican group called Braata and a group called Voices of Unity. They taught us "Find the Rhythm" and the cup game I <3 Market Garden!!!

Friday--We went to the lounge and played, then we went next door to Market Garden again. I got a spray bottle AWESOME!

Saturday--We had an early breakfast and went on the Metro to US Band Arena WE GOT A GOLD DIPLOMA!! We went shopping and ate at Skyline Chili. I liked my BLT salad. Feel sorry for those who ate too much chili!

Ben



Hey,
 I am having a BLAST!!  We won a gold [diploma] and I saw Idina Menzel in concert!! Now we are going to Chicago and I am very excited! I have met so many cool and interesting people here! It has been so much fun!
Love,
Sara


Hi beloved family...
One word causes so much happiness: Gold.

Carmie
PS You can't see it, but I dot the i's in my name with hearts.