France itinerary @ October 2010

30 June 2011

Leave Boston Logan on overnight flight.
AF 337 BOS CDG 1730 0600

Dinner on board

1 July ARRIVE IN PARIS-BAYEUX

Arrive in Paris to be met at the airport by your tour director and luxury coach. Drive to Bayeux stopping en route to visit Monet’s House and Garden at Giverny.

Hotel Novotel Bayeux (3 nights)

2 July -BAYEUX

Visit the Bayeux Tapestry. The rest of the day free to explore this charming Norman town.

3 July  D-DAY BEACHES

Peace concert

Remainder of the day visiting the major sites from D-Day. (Omaha Beach and Cemetery, Pointe du Hoc and others as time permits.)

4 July  BAYEUX-LOIRE (3 nights)

Travel through the French countryside to the Loire Valley. Stop en route “La Merveille” - Mont St Michel

Hotel Mercure Bord De Loir, Saumur (3)

  

5 July -LOIRE CHATEAUX

Visit a chateau (which one will depend on the concert arrangements)

Concert in the chapel of a chateau on the Loire

6 July LOIRE CHATEAUX

Chateaux de Chenonceaux and Blois

7 July LOIRE VALLEY-CHARTRES-PARIS (3 nights)

Guided tour of Chartres Cathedral with Malcolm Miller

Concert in Chartres Cathedral

Hotel Novotel Paris Les Halles (3)

8 July  PARIS

Morning boat cruise on the Seine as introduction to Paris.

Concert in Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris

9 July  PARIS

Sainte-Chapelle, Notre-Dame Cathedral,

Afternoon free.

10 July DEPARTURE

Transfer to the airport for your return flight home. AF 332 CDG BOS 1340 1505

Itinerary Shows Included Admissions in Italics.

                                   

ITINERARY INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING

•        Flights – on Air France- current estimate $1181 (tax rates can fluctuate)

•        Bed and breakfast accommodation for 9 nights in twin or double rooms in three star hotels. All rooms with private bathroom facilities

•        Dinner on three evenings

•        Arrangement of all four performances

•        Transportation by private coach for airport transfers and all excursions on the itinerary

•        All admissions as specified in italics on the outline itinerary

•        Tour Director who will accompany the group throughout the tour

•        All taxes

 Does not include the following:

•        Lunches

•        Evening meals on six evenings

•        Optional gratuities/tips

•        Travel Insurance. We recommend that, as well as coverage for loss of/theft/damage to belongings and health insurance, group members arrange insurance against unavoidable cancellation.

Patriotic Wendell

Preparing for the patriotic medley, Wendell modeled his headgear:

Keats' Eremite

From one of the Robert Frost poems, set to music in his Frostiana series, here is an explanation of the reference to Keats' Eremite:

http://www.shrewsburychorale.org/Keats.html

SCC SINGS IN FRANCE

Until we have an updated list of probable singer in France 2011, I am using our blogspot to help people keep abreast of chorus plans, etc. Here is the latest from Christine and the trip committee:

Most likely departure date June 30, 2011. Arrive Paris morning of July 1.

Days 2-5 (July 1-4) NORMANDY. Explore the French city of Bayeux, home of the famous Bayeux Tapestry. Visit the Normandy beaches. Sing a concert, hopefully in Normandy.

Days 6-8. CHARTRES-WINE COUNTRY. Visit the French cities of Chartres, Orleans, and Tours with a single hotel in one of the centrally located cities. We would sing somewhere, hopefully Chartres Cathedral, but other possibilities abound.

Days 9-11. PARIS. The usual sights. Sing a concert at a welcoming venue. Betty wants our farewell dinner atop the Eiffel Tower!

EXTENSION POSSIBLE. In Paris or ???? In all a concert in each major section of the tour.

Land tour estimate 2500-3000USD depending on the Euro, which is at the moment is more like it was in Italia than BVP. NOTE: THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE AIRFARE, WHICH AS I WRITE WOULD ADD BETWEEN $800-$1000. Christine can not give us an estimate on airfare at this point because the airlines deal in trips 12 months or less in advance. You will be able to purchase your own airfare or use your own frequent flyer miles as long as you are in Paris at the crack of dawn July 1. It is fun to go with the group.

By the end of April the trip committee would request a $200, non refundable deposit from singers. This would give Christine the financial capability to work on our behalf.

The trip committee consists of Betty Kehoe, Todd Richard, Scott Ferriera, Richard Leigh and myself. WE ARE NOT AN EXCLUSIVE CLUB. If you would like to join the committee please let us know. We will probably meet in mid March to set up a payment plan. Sorta like a root canal. You won't have to fork over the entire amount at once!!!

We can also use this blogspot as a vehicle for sharing books, ideas, etc. For example, the castle in the Danish town where my daughter Kirsten was married has a wonderful copy of the Bayeux tapestry. I have a book about the tapestry I am happy to lend out--after I actually read it!!!

Last, but certainly not least, check your passport. The airlines will not issue you a ticket with a passport that needs renewal in 2011. SO suck it up and get a new a new passport now. OR, as soon as you finish that exciting trip to Istanbul. (No kidding aside the State Department currently has my passport because it expires in August on the day Jims and I are to board a cruise ship to sail along the Norwegian coast.) 'Nuff Said. I will be in VA from Feb 10-Mar 1. But you do know how to reach me. SO....start saving your money and let's sing in Paris!!!!! bk

Rest in Peace, friend Shirley

Dear Fellow Singers-- As you know our faithful fellow singer Shirley Marble passed away from cancer early Saturday morning Feb 6. What many of you might not know is that during times when the chorus was hard pressed financially Shirley, as a member-at-large and also administrator for an "Arts in Farmington Trust" took music to Farmington in the form of SCC which people enjoyed, and which helped the chorus weather some tough years.

The wake is at the Peaslee Funeral Home on Main St in Farmington from 6-8 PM Mon Feb 8, the funeral is at 1100 at the First Parish Church in Farmington. As many people from SCC who can be there should be at the church at 1000 in concert dress for a warm-up. We shall sing For All the Saints, God Shall Wipe Away All Tears, and God Be With you. Richard L will bring music. I am carpooling with Betty K at 9 Tuesday AM. I have room for 3 more people in my car. Contact me if you want to go. Barb K

Concert Information

Chorus: Here is the concert info for January 2010.

7-10 PM Mon Jan 18. Dress Rehearsal FPC.

7-10 PM Tuesday Jan. Dress Rehearsal Dover.

6:15 Call Friday night in Dover.

1:15 Call Sunday afternoon in York.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE NO PERFUME OR COLOGNE. PREFERABLY NO INTRUSIVELY LONG DANGING EARRINGS. More than one chorus member is allergic to perfume, please don't make us wheeze. Also 7-10 means on the risers ready to go. If you have to work we'll see you when you get there.

Dan Henderson to act as ticket taker Friday. ??? Sunday.

Attire for women:

black dress pants or long skirt or if calf length skirt add black opaque tights. Black turtleneck, cowl neck or if absolutely necessary Jewel neck top with a single strand of white pearls.

Attire for men:

black suit and suitcoat, white shirt, black bow tie.

Black comfortable shoes for all. Remember we do a lot of standing!!

Expect rehearsal Monday if this storm is anything less than a blizzard. If you hate traveling in snow consider car pooling, or if you must stay home, let someone on the board know you won't make it. If u are sick but intend to sing over the weekend (i.e. sniffles) come and sit thru rehearsal. If you need to be in bed, have a fever, or are throwing up STAY HOME!!!

Put your music in your folder in the proper order. If you've missed any recent rehearsals get markings from a fellow singer. See you tomorrow.

Party Tuesday, time TBA at Don and Sue Lippoth's. Christine Pelham will be there.