Harvard, Boston, Maggiano's......and lots of rain!

Rested and ready to get back on the road, we departed from the Aloft hotel at 10:16am – but not before some singing from Bell’arte! As a special thanks to the staff of the Aloft, Bell’arte sang “Say A Little Prayer For You” in the hotel lobby.  The hotel also provided bagged breakfast for the students. After a short drive over to Cambridge, Massachusetts, we began our brief tour of Harvard yard (yes parents, you can now say "My son/daughter went to Harvard!!").

After about an hour and a half in Cambridge - and getting caught in an impromptu rainstorm - we boarded our buses and headed to Boston University. We had the distinct privilege of working with Ann Howard Jones and some doctoral conducting students at Boston University.  We started with some great exercises to help with listening to pitch and better learned how to improve our intonation as an ensemble. Challenging, but fun!  We were truly blessed to sing some of our repertoire for Ann and to hear her critique. She helped to add some special elements to our pieces! All three choirs got a chance to share a piece with the conductors.

                               

             

                  

Following our workshops, we toured Boston together, dodging in and out of the rain. God has truly blessed us with safety and fellowship and we pray that he will continue to do so!

This evening, we dined at the Maggiano's! Dinner included fresh baked rolls, calamari, eggplant parmesan, fettuccine alfredo, chicken Marsala, tiramisu, and of course, singing! As the AACS choirs are known to do, we thanked the restaurant staff with music. Bell'arte sang How Do I Love Thee, the Madrigals sang Build Me Up Buttercup, and Men's Ensemble sang My Girl. The staff loved the students and we were blessed to be able to share our gifts with them. Alumni Madi Coss, Michelle Dishop, and Chester Domoracki go to school in Boston and were able to join us for dinner!

        

After a delicious meal at Maggiano's, we set our course for Portland, Maine! We arrived just after midnight leaving enough time for students to get settled, have a quick devotion, and then off to bed! Please pray that they will get sufficient rest and be prepared to glorify God tomorrow.


Some student tweets:


Mike Lentz (senior)
bagged breakfast and beautiful Boston await us!


Jodi Hoffman (sophomore) 
Getting harvard starbucks!


Catherine Mayes (senior)
Hello Boston, so nice of you to meet us :)


Jodi Hoffman (sophomore)
Goodnight portland!


Again we praise God for how he has protected us so far this tour and we pray for his continued protection and guidance as we fellowship and perform for his glory tomorrow in Portland. Please be praying for safety tomorrow and that our performance will honor God.


Today's Verse:

"And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock." - Matthew 7:25

We pray for protection, peace, safety, and rest. Good night Portland - may God show us his will tomorrow!


All for Him!