The Jane Froman Singers Tour Blogsite

Martial Arts Demonstration

Well, the last day came with a fair amount of sadness, but it too was jammed packed full. I awoke this morning with the sounds of the Chinese Tang Dynasty performance still ringing in my ears. The lull was quickly interrupted by a power outage in the hotel. Luckily we had to only endure the heat for breakfast. We were off again to another amazing event. Many of us are weary and ready to come home, so a martial arts and tai chi demonstration was the last thing on our minds- boy were we surprised. We arrived at the gate of the National Marrtial Arts Academy and were met by adorable young children that presented the directors with flowers, they then led us by hand into the school for an amazing demonstration. Following their performance we got up and sang for them.

Trying Tai Chi

We then tried tai chi ourselves. Boy, was that a sight. My favorite was the screaming fists. I think I am going to try this technique at home at the end of the work day.

We then sped off to the Wild Goose Pagoda and toured a Buddhist temple and pagoda that was built in 640AD. I was the only one to take the 243 steps to the top where there were 600 year old reproductions of manucripts. The gardens, too, were simply amazing.

Following the temple, we jumped on the bus for a quick lunch and then it was off to the airport to return to Beijing. Tomorrow morning we rise at 5 a.m. to begin the journey home.

This will be the last entry until we return home. Check back because I intend to "beef up" the entries and add more pictures after I have gotten some much needed rest. This has been a trip of lifetime for me personally.

Christy & The Wild Goose Pagoda

The sights, sounds and smells of these two great cities are interesting and amazing. The real treat however, were the people. At every turn we have been treated like royalty. I believe we have represented Columbia College and the United States well. To that end, I want you to know these students are such a blessing to me. Sometimes trying, but always a blessing. Until now, my favorite musical moments have been mine (personal performances). My favorite musical moments now are with this choir and this trip. It was so much fun to be the person who saw in their eyes and heard in their voices, reactions of awe as they gained a new level of respect for a culture that we only really understood in the most superfical way. These students will return changed. I will return changed. I could go on forever.

Jane Froman Singers, pit #1

Just when you thought it couldn't get any more amazing. Today was the day to head to the Terra Cotta Warriors. One of the seven wonders of the world. It was, of course, hot, but we were very excited to stop off at a factory that makes replicas in the same way that the originals were made. When we arrived at the actual site, our guide began a rather lengthy discussion about China's first emperor and the fact that these warriors are a part of his tomb, created to protect the emperor from his enemies, even in death The site was discovered by a farmer in 1974 while he was digging to find water for a well. Believe it or not he was there today, signing autographs. The pictures speak for themselves. The restoration of the warriors seems to be a very arduous task. Everything here speaks to the patience and diligence of a culture that has existed for centuries. Something that I, from a very young country and culture, sometimes don't fully understand.

Terra Cotta warriors, the main pit.

Following the tour of the site, we took lunch at a restaurant where noodles were made by hand. It was really interesting. At the end of our meal we were offered a medicinal wine called sea horse wine. It came in a large jar with preserved sea turtle, sea horses and starfish inside. According to those that partook it tasted like nothing you could even explain. Oh to be young and stupid, I mean fearless!

A relaxing afternoon, back at the hotel.

In the afternoon, we returned to the hotel for some much needed rest. Then it was off to dinner and the Chinese Tang Dynasty Opera. Without a doubt the highlight of my experience here.

Madison looks refreshed!

Traditional Chinese costume, dance and music filled the air At the end of the event, which was in a hall of about 400 people, a banner dropped that welcomed us personally. The effort here to make us welcome has simply been overwhelming. I had many expectations for this trip. They have all been surpassed.

Chinese Opera Performance.

Friday began with some much needed extra rest. We were supposed to tour Lama Temple. The kids had been working so hard and were so tired I gave them the morning off. So, our day began at lunch! We then traveled via coach to Tianjin, a very interesting, much more poor city near the coast. Traffic was a major problem and we all arrived late. But not as late as the orchestra. After much confusion, we took some time to warm-up and sing a bit. We were forced to eat McDonalds carry-out. I was disappointed. The kids were elated.

The concert in the Tianjin Grand Theatre began at 7:30 and we were one of the featured American choirs on the first half of the program. Because the concert the evening before lasted 2 hours and 45 minutes we were asked to sing only one song. Considering that a good third of the American choirs had to be woken up at intermission on the previous evening, I consented. After much soul searching we decided to change our song and repeat "Black is the Color". It was a resounding success. So many people are surprised when they find out these guys are non-majors. There is a youth chorus here from Oregon and the director was especially complimentary. She was so disappointed to find out we do not have a major, because based on the quality of our singing she wanted to suggest Columbia College as an option for schools to her 300 voice choir back home. Guess I better get to work on that proposal. The bus ride back was very quiet. Most everyone slept. Which is a good thing considering we got to the hotel at 12:15PM and our wake-up call is at AM. But that's ok. Tomorrow we sing at the Great Wall!Oh my where to begin. Following the late night on Friday the students rolled down to the hotel lobby and on to the bus AGAIN. Today however, was going to be different. The weather had changed and the air was misty and very foggy. It was almost cool. We drove for about 45 minutes to the Jung Huo Pass area of the great wall. The American choirs came together one last time to sing the Chinese national anthem & the American anthem. Following, individual choirs were given the opportunity to sing alone again. We opted to sing, of course. We chose "At the Round Earth's Imagined Corners". As I directed the choir my brain began to wander and reflect on the text as I gazed past them at a section of the wall. When we arrived at the section of the poem that refers to the 'lowly ground of those who have gone before us" I was moved to tears. The hair was standing on the back of my neck and I teared up again. The students are enjoying giving me trouble over my "moments". I still can hardly believe that I am here, with my choir. Following the short performance it was time to do the deed. Climb that wall! At first we were disappointed that the view would be poor, but we would soon discover that just climbing the stairs was a lofty enough goal. There were hundreds if not thousands ascending the recommended section of the wall, so we ALL decided to go in the opposite direction. The MORE strenuous climb. Crazy you say? Oh well, how many times are we going to climb The Great Wall in our lives? Well I am happy to announce that I made as far as the kids. I'm not sure how, there were times I could barely lift my feet. Once at the top it was of course entirely worth it. We were however completely drenched in sweat. No time for a shower though because we were off to the cloisonné & jade factories. Both factories are family owned and operated. The artistry is breathtaking. Fresh out of money it was back to the hotel to freshen up for the Festival Closing Ceremony & Dinner. While at dinner we discovered that our flight to Xi'an had been cancelled and we were re-booked for an earlier flight. Our wake-up call was now 4AM. AHHHHH! Several of the students did not sleep until the plane ride from Beijing to Xi'an on China Air. Once we arrived in Xi'an we were skirted off to a very nice restaurant for a wonderful western buffet. Yeah, that's what we thought too. It was a western style buffet. Still Chinese food, just now I am the one who gets up to get it. Oh well! The food was amazing. We finally made it to the hotel and many of us took a nap. We were to meet in the lobby at 5PM to get to the ancient city wall of Xi'an for a welcome ceremony. Seems harmless enough. On the way I was informed that the mayor of the city was to give a welcome and present us with a key to the city and a the ancient visa of entry dating from the Tang Dynasty. Still cool. Until I discovered that I was to give a speech. WHAT? We were informed that this ceremony is only performed for very important dignitaries. President Bill Clinton was the last American to receive the welcome. OK NOW I'm freaking out. The ceremony included a grand processional with costumed performers. It was truly the highlight of the trip. I know I keep saying that but really. It was! Following dinner we were treated to a dumpling feast. It was with out question my favorite meal of the trip. How can this keep getting better every day.

Boat ride at the summer palace.

Well, days 2 and 3 have been jam packed with touring and rehearsing, and today was our first performance. I cannot begin to explain how tired we all are. Both days we left the hotel at 8:30 a.m. and did not return until 10 p.m. Wednesday was jammed packed. We began the day with a rehearsal and then it was off to lunch. Yes, Chinese food again. Honestly, we are tiring of the same dishes over and over again. Such little variety here. I am looking forward to the seafood in Tainjin tomorrow. We then took a tour to The Summer Palace. Complete with a boat ride on the lake. There were 31,000 people visiting on the day we were there. After a quick tour of a silk factory we took dinner in the worst restaurant so far. No one ate much. We finished out the evening with ANOTHER rehearsal. You know those conductor types-real task masters. When we returned for the evening many headed off to sleep or to get a massage in the hotel spa. A small group of rabid American college students treked to MCDONALDS. Yes, you read it correctly. Starved for "real" food, they decended upon the fast-food oasis and devoured enough to hold them over until the next evening. When they returned to the hotel lobby I observed a strange glow about them. They were in heaven.

Silk factory.

Today, Thursday was a tedious test of patience. Off again at 8:30, this time to Tainmen Square and The Forbidden City. Fascinating. Then it was on to the Beijing Concert Hall. Our rehearsal with the orhestra was rushed but it went well. \We then prepared for our performance as part of a full program that included three Chinese choirs and one other American choir. The students sang perfectly. We received high praise from all. it was a very emotional for me and the parents. What an incredible moment. I told the students before hand to relax, live the moment. I am so proud of these guys. We held our own next to the best that China has to offer. I would stand in front of this group of terrific young adults anyday. As if that weren't enough. We took a quick dinner in the Forbidden City Gardens and returned for the grand evening concert. There was an incredible parade of Chinese choirs and beautiful performances from a few of the American choirs. Following the concert each choir was presented with the performance cup by the president of the All-China Choral Directors Association & Music Celebrations International. I don't know how I am going to get it home.

Tianmen Square.

Performance cup.

The flights were long but have gone off with only one short delay in Tokyo, Japan because of weather.

Are we there yet?

Perhaps the most fascinating event of the trip over was that while en route to Beijing one of the movies offered was "With a Song in My Heart", the life-story of our namesake Jane Froman. How amazing is that? The students seem to be adjusting well to the time change. Our first full day began with an amazing breakfast at the hotel. We then continued on to the Central Conservatory of Music for rehearsals with the other American choirs. The two festival directors, Andre Thomas and Kevin Fenton are lively and interesting and the students seem to enjoy their time with them.

After the morning rehearsal we continued on to lunch at a fascinating establishment with traditional Chinese fare. .

Where the heck are the burgers?

Only a few of the students seemed to wonder where on the menu they could find a burger.

After lunch we returned to the conservatory for the Opening Ceremony of the Festival. Is was an elaborate event with Chinese traditional choirs and instrumentalists and included an official welcome from the president of the All-China Choral Directors Association. As if that weren't enough for one day. We then boarded the bus for a sight-seeing excursion to The Temple of Heaven. The weather of scorching and there were hundreds if not thousands of people milling about, but the experience was breathtaking. The sense of history is awe inspiring.

It was then off to a welcome dinner at Hepingmen Quanjude Roast-Duck Restaurant. Needless to say at this point the students were tired and less than thrilled at the prospect of eating duck.

Do I really have to eat a duck?

The experience was awesome. This place has been serving Peking duck for over 130 years and is considered by many to be one of the best restaurants in Beijing. The food just kept coming. There must have been 12 dishes per table when it was all said and done! The Peking duck was truly amazing. I of course took the opportunity to gross out a few of the girls when I tried the dish that included the ducks feet & tongue. Admittedly, I won't be doing that again. When we arrived back at the hotel, now 9:30PM, we stopped in a conference room and sang "Sing me to Heaven" & "Black is the Color", because I'm getting nervous, not because THEY wanted to sing. When they split ways to return to their rooms I was nearly emotional as I took reflected on what an amazing honor it is to accompany these wonderful people on this trip of a lifetime.