Tuesday, June 30, 2009
"Siete veramente bravi!" - third SCS Touring Choir Sicily concert enchants audience
The group is off to Malta where they sing at on July 1 at 6:30 pm at Santa Helen's Church in Birkirkara.
Below is a recording of Brahm's "Mainacht", for more videos, please visit www.youtube.com/incantatoours
SCS Touring Choir Concert at San Giorgio Duomo in Modica on June 29 at 7:30 pm
The southeast area of Sicily is universally recognized as the capital of Baroque art, music and architecture influences. And the San Giorgio Duomo in Modica, the third concert venue for the SCS Touring Choir on its 2009 Incantato Sicily and Malta Performance tour, is frequently described as the monument and reported symbol of the late Baroque architectural style that characterizes all of this city. The art historian Maurizio Fagiolo dell'Arco said that the church may be inserted between the seven wonders in the baroque world. The touring choir will be performing their "Sing!Kanta!Canta" concert programm in the natural acoustics of San Giorgio on June 30 at 7:30 PM.
This performance concludes the concert series on Italian soil as the groups departs on July 1 via ferry boat to Malta for three more performances and two cultural exchanges.
New pictures from the SCS Touring Choir adventures abroad
Monday, June 29, 2009
"Wonderful accoustics" make second SCS Touring Choir Concert in Noto very special
Fore more recordings from the concert, visit www.youtube.com/incantatotours.
SCS Touring Choir Concert at San Carlo al Corso in Noto on June 29 at 8:30 pm
It's another concert day for Summit in Sicily! On June 29 at 8:30 PM, the SCS Touring Choir under the direction of Mrs Arlene Jacobs is presenting the second formal concert of their 2009 Incantato Performance at the Church of San Carlo al Corso. The Church of San Carlo al Corso was dedicated to San Carlo Borromeo - the church of the convent of the Jesuits of Noto. The construction of the building began in 1730, the church is designed a longitudinal plan with three naves covered by a barrel-vaulted and divided by half.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
First SCS Concert on 2009 Incantato Performance Tour a huge success - full house and great sound
Just a short post to let you know that the first SCS Touring Choir Concert on the 2009 Incantato Performance Tour to Sicily & Malta was a huge success. The singers had a full house at the beautiful church of Santa Cantarina in Taormina - the audience actually was even listening from outside as all seats were long taken. Some people even insisted on sitting down during rehearsal and stayed until the very end. Monsignore (Father) Cesare thanked the group from Akron, Ohio for their inspiring performance and joined in the minute-long applause from the mostly Sicilian audience. Favorites were Younger's Kyrie Eleison, Shiru, Dirait-on, Shiru and the encore spiritual. The audience cheered the choir on as they sang two Italian folk songs. More pictures and videos will follow. It surely was "wunderbar" and guess what I discovered on my way home. Buena notte, good-night from Italy --- Sandra
For a video of "La Barchetta", visit www.youtube.com/incantatotours
What do SCS and Michael Jackson have in common? They are top news in Malta
SCS Touring choir performs at Chiesa di Santa Caterina Duomo in Taormina at 8 pm on June 28
The 43 singers directed by Mrs. Arlene Jacobs and accompanied by Mrs. Kathy Reichenberger present a repertoire of classical and modern works from European and American composers such as Palestrina, Ravel, Haydn and Lauridsen. The will also premier Dorn Younger's work "Brahm's Lullaby" internationally. The concert starts at 8 pm.
The beautiful church was consecrated to St. Catherine of Alexandria (exact consecration date unknown); it is thought that it may have been built in the mid-17th century. It sits on a piazza that abuts the highest point of the town's main street, Corso Umberto I. Within its severely dignified exterior are baroque detailing and a trussed wood-beamed ceiling. We hope you enjoy the few impressions from Taormina and updates on the first concert abroad will follow later today.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Day 4 of the SCS Touring Choir Journey: Fun-filled day in Catania
Spaghetti welcome dinner for choir and the newly arrived parents and friends of the choir
Day 3 of the SCS Touring Choir Journey: Next stop Catania
Want to say hello to the singers? Post a comment on the blog
Friday, June 26, 2009
SCS Touring Choir sings for the first time onn foreign soil
First Impressions from the 2009 Incantato Performance Tour for the Summit Touring Choir
What's Malta's favorite savory pastry?
Summit Touring Choir lands safe and sound in Malta
SCS arrived safe and only a little late in Frankfurt - On the plane to Malta now
The SCS Touring Choir 2009 Sicily & Malta Incantato Performance Tour is off to a good start. The group arrived almost 90 minutes late in Frankfurt, but their carrier Lufthansa was kind enough to hold the connecting flight to Malta and so the 52 travelers from Akron, Ohio are now on their way to the beautiful island. Upon arrival, Tour Manager Stefania will pick them up and bring them to the Phoenicia Hotel where a suprise Pastizzi Tasting awaits them in the beautiful lush garden area. At 6 pm, the singers, their director and chaperones will board the ferry to Sicily.
More updates will follow as the tour continues.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
SCS Touring Choir in the news - Again ; )
The Malta Times printed the following story about the SCS Touring Choir Journey to Malta - enjoy:
"Sing! Kanta! Canta!" is the theme of the 2009 international Performance Tour that brings 43 young singers from Akron, Ohio (USA) toSicily and Malta from June 26 to July 6, 2009.
The SCS Touring Choir is directed by Mrs Arlene Jacobs who has been teaching most of the singers for five or more years as part of the choral training at the Summit Choral Society. The touring choir is the top ensemble of this privately funded non-profit music school and for many of the girls and boys, the journey abroad is also their departure from the program as they graduate high school and leave home for college.
The choir toured China, Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic in recent years .
"Originally the group wanted to go to Greece, but it didn't take long to change their mind and bring them to Malta - I just had to tell them about my experiences, the wonderful people and show them how stunningly beautiful the islands and venues are" said Sandra Weinacht, founder of Incantato Tours, a US-based boutique performance tour company. She was here as part of the first school exchange between Germany and the Malta in 1990.
The choir brings a repertoire of classical and modern works from European and American composers and also an original composition written especially for the journey to the islands by American composer Dorn Younger who will be joining the choir on tour. When collaboration with Schola Cantorum Jubilate of Gozo emerged, the American singers added a composition by Maltese composer Paul Portelli to their repertoire.
After three concerts in Sicily, the SCS Touring Choir arrives in Malta on July 1 and is going to be the featured guest choir for Mass and a benefit concert to aid the Richmond Foundation at St. Helen's Church in Birkirkara (6:30 pm). On July 2 in the afternoon, the American students will be visiting the Johann Strauss Music School in Valetta for a meeting with members of the school choir and staff.
Gozo is the destination for the singers on Friday, July 3. After sightseeing in the morning, the choir heads to the National Shrine of Ta' Pinu to meet with members of the Gozitan Schola Cantorum Jubilate.
The choir's last performance will be at St. John's Co-Cathedral on July 4 at 6 pm when the singers are the featured guest choir for Mass.
And here is the link from the Malta Time if you would like to see it online: http://www.timesofmalta.com/life/view/20090624/features/american-choir-for-malta-tour
And the GozoNews article: http://gozonews.com/featured/sing-kanta-canta-us-choir-to-visit-gozo-in-july/
Thursday, June 18, 2009
SCS Touring Choir Concert in collaboration with Schola Cantorum Jubilate at Ta' Pinu Basilica on July 3 at 7:30 pm
The concert starts at 7:30 pm, the audience is kindly asked to be seated by 7:15 pm.
Ta' Pinu was built in a neo-romantic style which means that the designer rejected or abandoned the use of the devices of avant-garde modernism and followed an older tradition. This is a national shrine and a center of pilgrimages for both the Gozitans and the Maltese as it is told on several accounts that the voice of Mary has been heard from inside. The present church was started in 1920 and consecrated in 1931.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Incantato Destination - Marsaxlokk
Marsaxlokk is the foremost fishing village and perhaps has the most picturesque seaside in Malta.
Incantato Destination - Syracuse
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Incantato Destination - Taormina
Incantato Destination - Avola
Friday, June 12, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Are you excited about the tour?
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
SCS Touring Choir Performance Tour 2009 - Performance Overview
June 28th at 8:00 PM Concert at Santa Caterina Duomo, Taormina
June 29th at 8:30 PM Concert at Chiesa di San Carlo al Corso, Noto
June 30th at 7:30 PM Concert at Duomo San Giorgio, Modica
July 1st at 6:30 PM SCS Touring Choir sings High Mass and presents a Benefit Concert at St. Helen Church, Birkirkara
July 3rd at 7:30 PM Concert at Ta' Pinu Basilica, Gozo
July 4 at 6:00 PM SCS Touring Choir sings High Mass at St. John’s Co- Cathedral, Valetta
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
SCS 2009 Performance Tour - Day by Day Itinerary
Thursday, June 25
5:45 PM Departure from
Friday, June 26
7:30 AM Arrive
10:25 AM Depart
12:45 AM Arrive
Proceed to baggage claim, collect your bags, and then go to the arrivals area.
Meet your Tour Manager
Stefania La Rosa
Board coach with luggage
Pastizzi Tasting for Lunch followed by an orientation tour of Malta prior to continuing the journey to Sicily
Ice-Cream welcome by Incantato Tours
6:00 PM Arrival at Harbor
6:30 PM Depart Malta to Pozzallo via boat (bus remains in Malta)
8:00 PM Arrival in Pozzallo, board Sicilian touring coach with luggage and depart to hotel
9:00 PM Check-in at Hotel Principe d’Aragona
Address: Corso Umberto I n. 281
97015 Modica (
Tel: 0039 0932 756 041
Website: http://www.hotelprincipedaragona.it/Dinner at Hotel
Overnight at Hotel
Saturday, June 27 –
____AM Morning Call
Breakfast
Meet your Tour Manager
Board coach with luggage
10:30 AM Depart hotel for
1:00 PM Arrival in
Lunch on own, orientation tour and time for exploring and shopping in chaperone groups
4:00 PM Depart
4:45 PM Arrive at hotel Primavera dell'Etna
Address: Via Cassone, 86 \ 95019 Zafferana Etnea (Ct)
Tel: 0039 095 7082348
Website: http://www.hotel-primavera.it/
Check-in and free-time to enjoy the pool prior to the shadow tour’s arrival
7:15 PM Welcome dinner with the shadow tour guests at the Hotel
Overnight at Hotel
Sunday, June 28 - Acireale
_____AM Morning Call, Breakfast
Meet your Tour Manager
9:00 AM Depart from Hotel
10:00 AM Arrival in
11:00 AM Depart from Etna
12:30 PM Arrival in Acireale
Lunch on own
2:00 PM Guided Tour of Acireale
2:45 PM Depart from Acireale to Taomina
3:40 PM Arrival in
Visit Taormina & the Greek Theatre
5:30 PM End guided tour
6:00 PM Dinner at Restaurant Bella Blu Taormina
7:00 PM Rehearsal
8:00 PM Concert at Santa Caterina Duomo
Thereafter: Ice-cream treat, then return to hotel
Overnight at Primavera dell'Etna Hotel
Monday, June 29 – Siracusa/Noto
____AM Morning Call, Breakfast
Meet your Tour Manager
Board coach with luggage
8:15 AM Depart from Hotel to Siracusa
10:00 AM Arrival in Siracusa
Guided city tour of Siracusa and a visit to
1:00 PM End of tour
1:15 PM Departure from Siracusa for Avola
1:45 PM Arrival in Avola
Lunch at farmhouse Masseria Sul Mare
3:45 PM Departure from Avola to
Lido di Noto
4:10 PM Arrival in Lido di Noto at Hotel Helios
Address: Viale Lido, Noto Marina - Siracusa, Italia
Tel: +39 0931 812366
Website: http://www.hotelclub-helios.it/
Check in
5.15pm Departure from Hotel to
Noto
5:40 PM Arrival in Noto
Dinner on own
7:00 PM Rehearsal
8:30 PM Performance at Chiesa di San Carlo al Corso
Return to hotel
Overnight at Hotel Helios
Tuesday, June 30 – Scicli/Modica
____AM Morning Call, Breakfast
9:00 AM Depart hotel
10:30 AM Arrival in
10:45 AM Guided city tour
12:00 AM Departure from
1:00 PM Arrival in Scicli
Lunch on own
Guided tour
3:00 PM Departure from Scicli to
Modica
3:25 PM Arrive at Modica
Guided tour of Modica + Chocolate tasting at Antica Dolceria Bonajuto
5:00 PM End of tour
6:30 PM Rehearsal
7:30 PM Concert at Duomo San Giorgio
9:00 PM Departure for Restaurant
9:15 PM Dinner at Agriturismo Melograno
Return to Hotel Helios
Overnight at Hotel
Wednesday, July 01 -
_____ AM Morning Call, Breakfast
Board coach with luggage
7:30 AM Depart hotel for Harbor
8:30 AM Arrival
9:15 AM Ferry transfer to Malta
10:45 AM Arrival in
Orientation tour of
Lunch on own and free time
2:30 PM Arrival and check-in at Paradise Bay Resort Hotel
Address: Cirkewwa, MLH 0968 -
Tel: (356) 21 521166
Website: http://www.paradise-bay.com/pbh/en/index.shtml___ PM Transfer to rehearsal
6:30 PM SCS Touring Choir sings High Mass and presents a Benefit Concert at St. Helen Church, Birkirkara
8:30 PM Dinner at Hotel
Overnight at Hotel
Thursday, July 02 – La Valetta/Marsaxlokk
____ AM Morning Call, Breakfast
Meet your Tour Manager
_____AM Depart hotel to La Valletta
9:00 AM Guided city tour of La Valletta including entrance to Grand Palace
12:00 PM End of tour
Lunch on own
2:00 PM Visit of fishing
_____ PM Exchange with local students and performance in St Julian’s (TBC)
9:00 PM Dinner at Restaurant Surfside
Overnight at Hotel
Friday, July 03
____AM Morning Call, Breakfast
Meet your Tour Manager
9:00 AM Depart hotel go to Gozo
Take the ferry boat
Guided tour of Gozo
Lunch on own in Xlendi
Clinic with Marouska Attard
Visit Basilica Ta’ Pinu
Rehearsal
7:30 PM Peformance in Ta' Pinu Basilica
____ Depart Gozo
Overnight at hotel
Saturday, July 04 – Mdina/La Valetta
____AM Morning Call, Breakfast
Meet your Tour Manager
9:00 AM Depart hotel
Excursion of Malta including a visit to the Hagar Qim Temple site
Lunch on own
____ Visit Mdina
3:30 PM End tour
6:00 PM SCS Touring Choir sings High Mass at St. John’s Co- Cathedral
Continue to experience a local Festa and arriverderci party for the shadow tour guests
Return to Paradise Bay Resort Hotel
Overnight at hotel
Sunday, July 05 – Day at leisure with activities yet to be determined
____AM Morning Call, Breakfast
Meet your Tour Manager
7:00 PM Farewell Dinner at restaurant Razzett L-Antik
Overnight
Monday, July 06 - Return to USA
Monday, June 8, 2009
About the SCS Touring Choir
The Summit Children’s Touring Choir, under the direction of Mrs. Arlene Jacobs is touring Malta and Sicily this summer, June 25th – July 6th 2009. They serve as performance ambassadors for the whole of the Summit Choral Society in Akron, Ohio.
In recent years they have been involved in performances of such large scale works as Brahms' Liebeslieder Waltzes, Mendelssohn's Elijah, Monteverdi's 1610 Vespers, Verdi’s Quattro Pezzi Sacri and William Mathias' Jonah. They have also been prominently featured in the Summit Choral Society’s three major commissioned works one of which was premiered in Beijing, China in collaboration with the China Children’s Choir of Beijing and the Indianapolis Children’s Choir.
During the past decade, the SCS Touring Choir has been featured in state, regional and national choral conferences. They have appeared as part of international music festivals in England, Hawaii, China and Italy and in June of 2007 experienced their first independent international tour giving concerts to capacity crowds in the German cities of Speyer and Chemnitz; Czech Republic cities of Chulmec and Prague; and in Vienna, Austria singing High Mass at the famous Stefansdom as well as a benefit concert in St. Anna Kirche – proceeds of which went to the children’s cancer unit of Vienna’s St. Anna Hospital. This coming summer the SCC Touring choir will embark on their second independent international tour to Malta and Sicily in the heart of the Mediterranean.