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In June 2008, members of the Adrian College Choir
traveled to China where they took part in the 2008 Summer Olympics
Music Festival in Beijing. The concert tour included
performances at the Forbidden City Concert Hall and the new Shanghai
Concert Hall. Thirty-four singers from Adrian joined the North
American Festival Chorus of 450 singers in a performance of Beethoven's
Symphony No. 9 and other works in a musical salute to the 2008 Olympic
Games. Below, please find selected photos, as well as a list of
works performed and a detailed description of the tour itinerary.
The Forbidden City
The Great Wall of China
The 2008 Summer Olympics Venue
Adrian Choir with Festival Chorus in Shanghai
Concert Hall
Students sport backpacks displaying the
five different Beijing Olympic mascots.
Members of the Adrian College Choir visit
Tiananmen Square.
Lisa
Hewitt shows off her new hat!
Imperial Lion at the Forbidden City, Beijing.
Choir members visit the Wild Goose
Pagoda in Xian.
"The Archer" - Terra Cotta soldier in Xian.
Choir members visit Tiananmen Square,
Beijing.
Adrian College Choir members at the Terra
Cotta Soldier exhibit in Xian.
The Great Wall of China on a clear day.
Ba da Ling.
Concert Program
Call of the Champions
by
John Williams (chorus & orchestra, 5 min)
“O Fortuna” from Carmina Burana
by
Carl Orff (chorus & orchestra, 2:39 min)
Bugler’s Dream–Olympic Fanfare & Theme
by
Leo Arnaud/John Williams (orchestra, 4:31 min)
Olympic Hymn
by
Leonard Bernstein (chorus & orchestra 5:22 min)
Yellow River Cantata
by
Xian Xinghai (orchestra, 15 min)
INTERMISSION
Symphony no. 9 in D minor, Opus 125
by
Ludwig van Beethoven (chorus & orchestra, 65 min)
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Detailed Itinerary
Thursday, June 26 -
Depart for China
We begin our adventure in travel, as we board the giant jet for our
flight over the Pacific. We follow the sun as we fly to the Orient.
Friday, June 27 Arrive Xi’an and Check-in
We arrive in the imperial city of Xi’an. Upon arrival we are met and
welcomed by our Kingsway International Representative, who will provide
us with an orientation to this ancient city.
Saturday, June 28 Sightseeing
Terra-Cotta Warriors and
Dumpling Dinner
We are introduced to Chinese culture and history with a tour to the Old
City Wall, and the seven-story brick Big Wild Goose Pagoda built in 652
A.D. After lunch, Xi’an’s history unfolds before us as we visit one of
the world’s greatest discoveries. More than 6,000 life-size terra cotta
soldiers with individual
facial expressions were discovered buried with their horses, guarding
the tomb of 3rd-century B.C. Emperor Qin Shi Buangdi. This evening we
enjoy a Dumpling dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Xi’an.
Sunday, June 29 Arrive Beijing
We are greeted by the friendly Kingsway International representatives
upon arrival in Beijing, China's capital for 3,000 years. Home to over
13 million people, Beijing is China's thirdlargest city and the heart of
the nation's government, economy and culture. The increasing excitement
of the forthcoming Olympics can be felt all over the city. 2008 will be
remembered as the year that China took its place in the modern world. We
will all be affected by being a part of this moment in history. We’re
entranced by our first look at this magnificent city, as our singers and
entourage travel to our hotel for our first
evening of this grand adventure. Overnight in Beijing.
Monday, June 30
Visit Tian Anmen Square,
Forbidden City and Rehearsal
Today we visit the world’s largest plaza, Tian Anmen Square, which cover
more than 100 acres. This square is lined with monumental public
buildings, fronting the legendary and onceforbidden city. 250 acres of
splendid 15th-century halls and pavilions graced with imperial treasures
now comprise the
Palace Museum that is the Forbidden City. We follow where millions of
people have walked before us as we visit the remarkable complex of
exquisite buildings and squares. For almost 500 years, ordinary citizens
could not enter this vast courtyard – hence the name Forbidden City. In
the afternoon,
we gather with our choral friends and have our first choral rehearsal
under the direction of Eric Knapp. After the rehearsal, we celebrate
with a banquet dinner.
Tuesday, July 1
Exploration of Beijing,
Temple of Heaven and Concerts
After breakfast we travel to the Temple of Heaven, one of the most
photographed buildings in the world. Built in 1420 and restored in 1890,
the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is one of the several amazing
traditional structures that we will see. As we travel through the city,
our guides also show us many of the
Olympic-related facilities that have been constructed for the 2008
Games. In the afternoon we have our second festival choral rehearsal,
followed by individual concerts for those choirs that wish to present an
independent performance. This evening we stage some of the individual
performances. Overnight in Beijing.
Wednesday, July 2
Clinics and Massed
Performance
Some free time in Beijing is followed by the dress rehearsal and then
the gala concert. This concert will be a great choral salute to the
Beijing Olympics. Overnight in Beijing.
Thursday, July 3
Great Wall and Beijing Opera
Today we visit the Great Wall, sure to be a highlight of our visit. We
learn of its construction 2,000 years ago, and examine first-hand one of
the most scenic portions of its 3,700-mile length. This evening we
attend the Beijing Opera to complete our full experience of traditional
Beijing. Overnight in Beijing.
Friday, July 4
Depart For Shanghai and
Shanghai Acrobats
Today we travel to the airport and fly to Shanghai, China’s
second-largest and most cosmopolitan city. We immediately notice the
amazing skyscrapers, which tower as far as the eye can see. Futuristic
buildings dominate the skyline, particularly in the recently transformed
area known as the Pudong. Many
new buildings have interesting designs and we learn that the city now
boasts one of the fastest rail lines in the world, connecting the center
with the huge, modern airport. We travel along the old European-styled
buildings fronting the Bund, the tree-lined avenue bordering the Huangpu
River. Tonight we are thrilled by a performance of the internationally
renowned Shanghai Acrobatic troupe. Overnight in Shanghai.
Saturday, July 5
Sightseeing and Rehearsal
This morning we visit the famous Yu Garden, a place of peace and comfort
in the heart of bustling Shanghai. Dating back to the fabled Ming
Dynasty, Yu Garden began as a private garden created by Pan Yunduan, who
spent almost 20 years - and all of his savings - to build a garden in
order to please his parents in their old age. "Yu" in Chinese means
"peace and health." Transfer to a venue for a rehearsal with the
Shanghai Orchestra. Overnight in Shanghai.
Sunday, July 6
Sightseeing and Farewell
Concert
Following breakfast this morning we enjoy a visit to the famous "Old
Town," after which there will be some time for shopping and taking
pictures of the fashionable stores along the Nanjing Road. We have a
dress rehearsal followed by our final concert. After our final concert
we celebrate with our end-of-tour
banquet. Overnight in Shanghai.
Monday, July 7
Depart Shanghai
We leave on an afternoon flight with our hearts filled with rich
memories of traditional and futuristic China and the joy of having
represented America abroad at a time of profound transition for the
Chinese people.
*Performances subject to confirmation.
**The daily itinerary may be modified slightly on performance days in
order to accommodate concert
preparation needs.
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