AACS Upper School Choirs: April 2014

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Philadelphia Tour Day 2: Calvary Chapel

Tour Day 2: Calvary Chapel

We were up and on the buses before 7 am this morning for a short ride to Calvary Chapel. The choirs were singing back-up for a Christian band called Reilly in all three worship services, so we arrived at the church and spent the time before the first service doing warm-ups, sound checks, and quick rehearsal of the morning’s music.

Reilly was premiering a song called “Change Me God” this morning, and we had the privilege of helping them introduce it to the congregation. In all three services, the students were blessed by seeing members of the congregation enter wholeheartedly into worship, and were inspired to “give it their all” as they sang.

The pastor at Calvary Chapel was starting a new sermon series on wisely stewarding our time, money, and work, and this morning’s sermon related to our use of time. We were challenged to keep the “urgent, important” tasks we all face from crowding out those things (like relationships and time with God) that, while less urgent, are no less important. The pastor particularly challenged us to remember the “3 S’s”—Sabbath, silence, and solitude, and to be wise in the ways we use technology.

We had a short break between the first and second service, and after we’d finished singing for the second service, we had a short devotional outside led by Ms. Kauffman. Focusing on our trip meditation verse, Zephaniah 3:17. She challenged us to remember God’s love for and delight in us, especially when we are afraid, overwhelmed, or disappointed by other relationships that don’t fulfill us. Students had the opportunity to reflect on both the devotional and the message in small groups, and prayed together before getting ready for the 3^rd service.

After singing for the 3rd service, students had free time until lunch. Students spread out across the lawn, playing football and “gaga-ball” (you’ll have to ask them) with some of the youth from the church. Other students used this time to interact with some of the church members, or simply enjoy time outside in the sunshine with their friends.

We headed upstairs to the youth room for a delicious lunch provided by the church, and were joined there by the members of the Reilly band. They ate with us, and then talked a bit more about their backgrounds, both as individuals and as a band. After this, the students had about 20 minutes to ask questions of the band members, who gave us some food for thought as they talked about the challenges of being Christian musicians, and how each of them discerned their calling for music. They also talked about the challenges of being on the road, and the joys of touring internationally. This was a rich and thought-provoking conversation!

Then it was back to the bus to head home! It has truly been a wonderful weekend, and we are grateful for the ways we’ve seen your prayers answered in God’s daily provision for us.

Some particular praises:

-the beautiful weather we’ve had all weekend

-safety in all of our travels and activities

-the opportunity to interact with other musicians (yesterday during the clinic, and today in church)

-the opportunity to worship God with his people

- the capability for the students to support each other and love each other well during this trip

- the many opportunities to take risks, so that the students could grow musically as well as spiritually

Things the students have been particularly thankful for:

-the opportunity to interact and start friendships with people they didn’t know well prior to this weekend

-the chance to both worship and lead others in worship this morning

Again, thank you for your prayers—please continue to pray for God to be at work in the hearts of our students and the people who heard us sing this weekend. Especially after this morning’s sermon, please also pray that students would make time to practice the discipline of rest this weekend, and that God would prepare each of the for the week ahead. Please pray, similarly, for physical health as we come back from an exhausting weekend!

Know that we are grateful for your partnership in prayer! And for God’s provision for all the details of this trip—it has been a delightful weekend!

Wrapping up our time in Philadelphia

The Men's Ensemble and Women's Choir made it safely back to AACS and home resting at this point. We had a beautiful and rich Sunday at Calvary Chapel in Chadds Ford, PA. Stay tuned for more details, but here are some more pictures till we have time for an update!

"Selfie" with the band Reilly

A little Gaga ball after church at Calvary Chapel

Honored to help lead worship with the band Reilly

Choir ladies enjoying fellowship and sunshine after church

Intense game of Gaga ball!

Calvary Chapel Worship Service

Lunch and Q & A Time with the band Reilly

More pics from our beautiful dinner cruise

Q & A with the band Reilly

Pick up football game with teens from Calvary Chapel

A sweet serenade at Independence Hall

Philadelphia Tour Day 1 Overview

Tour Day 1: Philly Fun!

Day 1 of our tour dawned bright and early as we gathered at AACS for a 7:30 am departure. We loaded onto two buses and headed northeast, enjoying the generous goodie bags provided for us by the parents as we settled in for a few hours of rest and conversation.

We arrived at Temple University for our 10 am clinic with Christine Bass and two of her assistants. The acoustics in the auditorium were wonderful, and students warmed up and then started by singing “God is Seen.” They received a lot of encouragement (apparently we do more clinics than most high schools Mrs. Bass has seen!), as well as a lot of helpful instruction. They worked hard at shaping the dynamics of the piece, which builds in a crescendo of praise that encompasses all of God’s creation.

At various points, Mrs. Bass had the men doing squats to help them visualize how to support the notes they were singing, and encouraged both the men and women to communicate the tone of the piece through their faces. One memorable moment was when she praised Loretta Grant for her expressiveness, saying, “I need a choir full of Lorettas!”

The students worked on syllabic stress, pronunciation, and communicating the emotion of the pieces they were singing. Feel free to ask them about how maple syrup, sparkles, and hamster wheels are related to all of this! Other highlights included Aaron Lorenzo serenading the women of the audience in “I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You” and the women’s choir being told to have “more sass” in exhorting the audience to “enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise.” In their reflections on the bus, the students noted that they could hear the change in their sound as they worked with Mrs. Bass and her assistants. We are very grateful for this experience, and the privilege of learning from others who are experts in the craft! All three clinicians praised Mrs. Coleman for her work with the choirs, as well.

Fortunately, the morning had given us time to work up a good appetite for our Philly cheesesteak experience. We were dropped off near the legendary Pat’s and Geno’s, and students joined the lines spilling off the sidewalk and into the street. They’d had time to peruse the menus and practice how to order (particularly “wit” and “wit-out”, which mean “with onions” and “without onions”, respectively) on the bus, and our preparation paid off—no one was sent to the back of the line, and we were soon enjoying delicious cheesesteaks in the heart of downtown Philly.

After everyone finished eating, we gathered in a small grassy area and had just enough time for each choir to sing for passers-by (many of whom stopped to listen!) before we boarded the buses again to head to the historic district. There, we spent some time street performing (or, “flash-mobbing”) near Independence Mall before enjoying a little bit of free time.

Students learned how challenging street performing can be, even though YouTube makes it look easy! The first ‘target’ of the men’s serenade walked away hurriedly before they could sing to her, and another woman stayed around long enough to be sung to, and then made a quick getaway. Fortunately, they attracted some interested audience members, who stayed long enough for both choir to sing several numbers.

After some free time, we took a “family photo” with city hall in the background, and then boarded the bus to travel to our hotel. We had time to rest and dress up for dinner before heading back into Penn’s Landing to board “The Spirit of Philadelphia” for our sunset dinner cruise.

We had an entire deck to ourselves, and were delighted find that it was the topmost enclosed deck. Students sat by birth month, giving them an opportunity to interact with people they may not have had a chance to speak with earlier. The crew and wait staff were not only helpful, but excited to have us aboard, and we had a wonderful evening!

As we enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner, the sunset and clouds over the river were breathtaking, especially with the city skyline in the background. Students went outside to the outer decks to take photos, reenact the famous “Titanic” pose, and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation.

Just as we finished eating, the music started. Many students made their way to the dance floor at one point or another during the evening, and spent the remainder of the cruise dancing, watching the view from the windows, or gathering round the railing that looked down to the dance floor to watch their friends and teachers bust some moves.

After three full and delightful hours, we headed back to the hotel, ready for a good night’s sleep! All in all, it was a wonderful day of fellowship and fun.

Weekend Philadelphia Trip for Men's Ensemble and Women's Choir!

It was time for the Men's Ensemble and Women's Choir to take a little musical journey of their own, to the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia! It has been a long and full day. We look forward to updating you soon on all the wonderful things of the weekend. But we (teacher chaperones) are quite tired. So here are some pictures to give you a sneak peek!

A little Titanic fun on our Philadelphia Dinner Cruise

It wouldn't be a choir tour if Ms. Kauffman didn't make a food run before leaving. Breakfast for 60, anyone?

Temple University Workshop with Christine Bass

Waiting in line at Pat's Steaks

Philly Cheesesteak lunch is a hit!

Men's Ensemble and Women's Choir outside Independence Hall

Enjoying the decks on our Dinner Cruise

Warming up for our workshop

Christine Bass works with the Men's Ensemble in beautiful, historic Rock Hall

Geno's Steaks

Waiting in line at Geno's Steaks

About to sail on our dinner cruise

Great views of the skyline of Philadelphia from our boat

Mrs. Coleman warms up the choirs

Working on characterization and emoting a song. Aaron helps demonstrate by singing to the girls.

Waiting in line at Pat's. Practicing how to order!

Pat's Steaks

Dinner Cruise time!

Enjoying the DJ Entertainment and each other's company

Warm ups

YUM!

Street Performing at Independence Mall

Sunset on the Dinner Cruise

Street Performing in Philadelphia

Dancing the night away or as the chaperones call it "Choir Prom on a Boat"

Friday, April 25, 2014

Choir Tour - Round 2

It is the Women's Choir and Men's Ensemble's turn to hit the road on a musical journey to Philadelphia! All are excited to grow as a community and to bless and serve others through song. Check out their weekend itinerary below. Some highlights are a workshop at Temple University, authentic Philly Cheesesteaks and having the privilege in helping premiere a never heard before, brand new worship song from Christian band Reilly. The students have been secretly rehearsing this song to prepare, for it is not released to the public yet! We are honored that Reilly has asked the AACS choirs to sing at this special occasion and to help facilitate worship at Calvary Chapel. Stay tuned for more updates!

Philly Choir Tour 2014 Itinerary

Saturday April 26

7:00am Report to AACS Upper School Campus

7:30am Depart for Philadelphia - Temple University

10:00am Temple University Workshop

12:00pm Leave for lunch

12:30pm Lunch - Pat’s/Geno’s Cheesesteaks (students provide $)

1:30-4:00pm Street Performing in the Historic District

4:30pm Check in to Hotel

Days Hotel & Conference Center West Chester, PA

5:00-6:00pm Relax in room/get ready for dinner cruise

6:00pm Leave for Penns Landing - Spirit of Philadelphia Dinner Cruise

7:00pm Board - Spirit of Philadelphia Dinner Cruise

7:30pm Spirit of Philadelphia Dinner Cruise

10:30pm Return to Hotel/Return to Rooms/Lights Out

Sunday April 27

5:30am Wake Up!

6:15am Report to Bus/Breakfast on bus

6:40am Leave for Calvary Chapel

7:00am Arrive at Calvary Chapel of Delaware County

8:30, 10, 11:30am Perform at Church Services

12:30pm Lunch provided by Church/Q&A time with Reilly Band

2:00pm Leave for AACS

4:30pm Arrive at AACS

Monday, April 14, 2014

Day Four: Beach Bound!

Day Four:

Sunday, April 13, 2014

After ordering our made-to-order omelets and enjoying the full breakfast buffet, beside the indoor fountains at the Embassy Suites, we boarded our bus and headed for Newport Beach. Specifically the breath taking beach of Little Corona in Corona Del Mar. There, on the Little Corona beach, we held our beach chapel. Surrounded by the beauty of creation, we sang and heard a special message from Mr. Vineyard. Students had time to have personal reflection and prayer, surrounded by the sounds of waves and the warmth of sunshine. We were all truly blessed and give praise to God for this incredible opportunity of worship. Students received some free time to explore the cliffs and shores of Little Corona State Park. On every choir tour, the favorite activity for AACS choir students is being outside and enjoying the beauty of nature.

From Newport Beach we traveled north on the Pacific Coast Highway to Venice Beach, where we made a quick stop to pick up some lunch, shop, and take in the eclectic scene.

Our third beach of the day was Santa Monica. Here we performed on the boardwalk for the surprised and delighted passers-by, shared “Bella Bios,” walked the beach, and strolled out onto the famous Santa Monica pier. Following a fantastic dinner at the Shutters resort, we shared our tour reflections and gave thanks to God for a memorable, and moving, tour experience. Another tour tradition is to sing to the wait staff at our special dinners. The AACS choir students did not disappoint. Many of the servers were moved to tears and we were able to give them a token of gratitude in song.

All students and staff headed to an airport area hotel to catch some rest before a very early flight. A common reflection at dinner is that we are all sad to say goodbye to this tour. It was a life changing and memorable experience that we will not soon forget.

To God be the Glory.