Cherished Memories: a Scrapbook from the City Choir of Washington's 2018 England Tour

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Mission: Surprise Rachel - Rachel Tester Rachel: Without fail, my mom and dad have been entirely supportive of my musical pursuits. Most kids growing up were on multiple sports teams, but my “sports” were piano, violin, voice, and dance lessons, and school musicals. I can always count on seeing their faces in the audience for my performances, even today, for City Choir concerts. In 2018, my family took their support to the next level. I’ll let my mom, Kathleen, tell the story… Kathleen: When we found out about the City Choir of Washington’s tour in the UK July of 2018 and that our oldest daughter was singing the Pie Jesu solo in the Fauré Requiem, the little wheels in my head started spinning. We had been trying to plan a family vacation and thought this might be a good opportunity.This would be a much larger trip than we had been contemplating, but we wanted to be there to support Rachel and the choir. There was a farewell concert in McLean and everyone, except Rachel’s brother Aaron, who lives in New Hampshire, attended that concert. My sister Julie and her husband and youngest son also attended the concert. They live in Ohio and this was the first performance that they ever attended. So that was surprise number 1. [RT – I was so confused as to how someone who looked so much like my cousin Justin could be in the audience.] Ultimately, the only family that could come to the UK were myself, Rachel’s dad, and Aaron and his girlfriend. Aaron reached out to [TCCW Assistant Conductor] Rachel Binger to get specific details about the choir’s plans so that none of us ended up on the same plane or some other strange happenstance that would ruin the surprise. Our plan was to meet up in London and then surprise Rachel at the end of their first concert in Gloucester. The day of the concert we arrived in Gloucester early, found the Cathedral and were looking around. I noticed a group of people coming toward the Cathedral carrying their clothes and we all scuttled out of the courtyard hoping that Rachel’s Dad radar wasn’t working. (My husband has a very distinct appearance with a head full of white hair and a full beard. She always spots him in the audience at her performances.) [RT – not this time!!!]
We successfully dodged the group and decided to wander around the town until it was time for the concert. Shortly before the performance time we returned to the Cathedral. Aaron and I went down to the restrooms before the concert started.While I was in the ladies room, I saw someone in a long black dress come into the stall next to me. I hustled out just in time to see more of the choir coming through the hallway. Aaron chose that moment to walk out of the men’s room. I actually saw Rachel as I stepped into the short hallway in front of the men’s room to block him. He saw her and almost yanked me into the men’s room. Luckily, she missed all this commotion as she walked past. We shot out of the hallway and found our seats. I put Scott and I in the middle and Aaron on the aisle. I then realized I had forgotten my glasses in the restroom and had to go back. I retrieved them and took my place all without being spotted by Rachel. [RT – my mom and I were definitely in the restroom at the same time. I heard someone talking about the lady who just left her glasses!] The concert proceeded and we were so proud of her when she did her solo. Shortly after that, she noticed her brother. [RT – again, confusion. But it seemed like something he would do.] When the choir walked out, she stopped by him and that was when she saw the rest of us. She was absolutely stunned to see us and that we managed to keep the whole plan a secret! It was a pretty neat surprise and an adventure for all of us. [RT – I was completely floored when I saw everyone.It’s one of the best surprises ever and I’m still shocked they managed to keep it from me!!] Rachel (second from left) with her parents and brother Aaron at Gloucester Cathedral
Page 1 and 2: England Tour, July 2018 Memories Sa
Page 3 and 4: The Heel Stone at Stonehenge - A Po
Page 5: Concert 1: Gloucester Cathedral 5 J
Page 9 and 10: Shades of the Great War - Emily Han
Page 11 and 12: Concert 2: Keble College, Oxford 7
Page 13 and 14: Fond Memories & Good Friends - Audr
Page 15 and 16: Quiet Moments - Bill Gilcher For me
Page 17 and 18: Concert 3: Ely Cathedral 8 July 201
Page 19 and 20: Happy Recollections - Peggie Hatton
Page 21 and 22: A Family Affair - Shelley Stewart S
Page 23 and 24: The View From the Pews - Jeanne Bla
Page 25 and 26: A Moving Performance - Ben Tsai Rac
Page 27 and 28: Cambridge brought an opportunity to
Page 29 and 30: Farewell Dinner: The City Choir of

Cherished Memories: a Scrapbook from the City Choir of Washington's 2018 England Tour

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