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Carnegie Hall Debut
  • Terry And Randy Clarke

Carnegie Hall Debut

Alexis and Charity will be performing at Carnegie Hall and I'm along as their biggest fan. Read more
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  • Trip start
    May 24, 2024
    Terry And Randy ClarkeCarnegie Hall DebutTraveler
    It was very quiet and very dark when I left the house.
    1Milestone number one, we made it to the pick up point by 6 am.Beautiful full moon but I didn't get a picture until we were ready to board our busMass confusion as we tried to figure out which bus was oursAll settled for the long drive. We had one bus for the adult choir and one for the school choir.Charity and friends at our first stop outside Grimsby.Our first view of New York City from the George Washington BridgeJust like Mexico, an alley for fixing flat tires. We were on Amsterdam St as we came into the city.

    Early Morning Start

    May 24, 2024 in Canada ⋅ 🌩️ 12 °C

    I can't remember the last time I was up at 3:30 in the morning, and I was amazed I woke up before the alarm. I was even more amazed that I was able to get some sleep. I was up and on the road by 4:00 am, and it was a beautiful start to the day. Traffic was light, and I was in Strathroy in about 40 minutes. Lex and Charity were ready, and we drove into London. Sean came with us, and he drove the van back home. We actually beat the buses to our pick-up point. A little mass confusion as we boarded and set off for New York. The ride was long, but uneventful and clearing customs wasn't challenging. Lex and I chatted most of the way. Charity was on the student bus, but we saw her at our stop for breakfast and lunch. We arrived in New York City around 5:30 and went straight to the Metropolitan MuseumRead more

  • Terry And Randy ClarkeCarnegie Hall DebutTraveler
    We thought this fountain at the front of the met was from Friends. It wasn't but still so cool.
    About half of our group waiting for tickets. It was so nice to hang out after the long bus ride.The Met is such an impressive place. The diversity in the crowds was amazing.We spent so much time in the Egyptian area.These pieces were ancient yet we could get so close. She wasn't touching though.These statues had female lion faces. Very terrifying.So hard to imagine how much time this statue has been on earth.These were moved from Egypt and reconstructed as they were found. So impressiveThere was a European area with rooms moved from grand estates. Loved the fabrics and furnitureTapestry so beautiful it's worth a very bad picture of me.This staircase was moved from a grand estate. The detailed carving was so impressiveWe both loved the stained glass.More stained glass, this was by Tiffany and was donated from private homes.Three walls of beautiful tapestries. Artisans would spend years on these pieces.There were rooms of armor from around the world.Most of these suits weighed over 65 pounds. Unbelievable and we were so close to them.This is Hercules. There were rooms of Roman and Greek marble statues.The museum was beautiful after dark. It was a warm evening and there was so much going on.When we checked in, this message was on our TV. The pictures changed, but all were iconic NY shots.

    A Night at the Museum

    May 24, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    The buses dropped us off at the Metropolitan Museum, and we enjoyed the beautiful weather and amazing people watching as we waited for our tickets. The organization required is pretty impressive. There are 47 people on our bus and a similar number on the student bus. We all have numbers, I'm 42, and we are required to count off when boarding the bus or starting an event. It's not as easy as it sounds. It's actually kind of funny. The museum was so impressive and I think in our 2 and a half hours we saw about two-thirds of the main floor. Overall, maybe less than half of the whole museum. There was so much to see. At 9, we gathered outside and waited for our buses to return. It was a beautiful night, and we enjoyed the wait. The hotel was close, but it was after 10:30 when we got into our room. I am so glad it's just Lex and I sharing, 4 to a room would be a little too crowded. We went for a short walk before calling it a night. All in all, it was a wonderful first day.Read more

  • Terry And Randy ClarkeCarnegie Hall DebutTraveler
    A short clip from rehearsal. Nothing to see but the singing is amazing.
    Off to lunch with our 9 students. I walked at the back of the group,ensuring we didn't lose anyone.Their choice, Margaritaville Times Square. A few of them visited the gift shop for souvenirs.We were bad influences Lex had a Margarita and a Landshark for me.Times Square was a mad house. A show was being filmed, which added to the chaos.People were everywhere, and it was a challenge keeping the group togetherHere is our Jimmy Buffet fan. He led us on a very quick walk to Margaritaville.Our walk after lunch was even quicker since we were running late. Not the best photos.The Beale Choir and London Singers after 6 hours of rehearsals. All still smiling.The area around the Lincoln Center and Metropolitan Opera House was beautifulPassing Julliard with a group of musical performers was interesting. Everyone knew this place.The Metropolitan Opera House was very impressive.A very grand entrance.Orfeo de Euridice was the opera we saw. Set design and dancing was really wonderful.Tried to behave but lots of giggles and some inappropriate comments.Great seats

    Long Rehearsals and A Night at the Opera

    May 25, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    We were up early and had a nice breakfast in our hotel. The rehearsals were at the Sheraton Times Square, which was a short walk from our hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn. There are four choirs performing together; our two, one from Ohio and one from Alberta. They have all been practicing the two pieces; Mozart's Vesperae Solennes and Mozart's Coronation Mass, but this is the first time they will be performing together. It's incredible how beautiful it sounded so very quickly. There are two conductors leading practices, and its interesting watching their different styles. There is also a very talented pianist, so I feel very fortunate to listen in. A commitment had been made to the parents of our student choir to ensure the students were always accompanied by adults so Lex and I joined a group of Charity's friends for lunch. One of them really wanted to go to Margaritaville in Times Square, so off we went. It was a wild 15-minute walk and a bit of a challenge, ensuring we kept all 9 of them together in the crazy crowds. There was so much to see, but we made it back to rehearsal just a few minutes late. After rehearsal, we had a short break before a group dinner at the Empire Steakhouse and then back on the bus to the Lincoln Center and Metropolitan Opera House. Both buildings were impressive. We had great seats for the production of Orfeo ed Euriduce. The orchestra was wonderful, the sets were really well done, and the chorus and dancers were so good. I'm not sure Opera is my thing, but I'm so glad I had a chance to experience it. We really enjoyed people watching, especially those who really dressed up. It was a very full but wonderful day.Read more

  • Terry And Randy ClarkeCarnegie Hall DebutTraveler
    We were really looking forward to seeing Wicked and it didn't disappoint.
    The students were really excited to see Wicked we sat with an enthusiastic groupThese were the students we hung out with. A really great group of young peopleIt was a beautiful theater and the sets costumes and special effects were awesomeDinner at AppleBeesThere was a photo op at Rockefeller Center that recreated a famous pictureThere's not a lot to see with the clouds, but still a crowdJust before closing the clouds lifted and there was a viewMaking our way home Sunday evening.Keep your eyes open mom well not that open. Looking a little crazedLots of service men and women enjoying the big cityGreat seats for WickedThe play was awesome and the company even better.

    A Wicked Good Day

    May 26, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    We had another full day with lots of adventures. The choir had practice from 8:30 till 12:00 and they are sounding so good. We had a quick lunch at the Shake Shack with the group of students we have been hanging out with. After lunch, we had a short break to freshen up and get ready for our matinee. Wicked was a short walk away, and we arrived early enough to check the theater out. The play was so good and although we had seen it before we really enjoyed it. After the play, we had reservations at AppleBees. Although we had pre-ordered, it was still mass confusion. Dining with 100+ people is so challenging, but we enjoyed getting to know everyone as we waited for our dinners. We had tickets for the top of Rockefeller Center at 8:00. Unfortunately, the clouds came in as we were in line for the elevator, and they gave us the opportunity to reschedule. That wasn't an option for us, so up we went. The crowds were crazy and visibility was limited. Some of the group didn't do well with heights, and we had to split up to take some down early. The weather cleared for our walk home, and once the students were back in their rooms, Lex and I decided to go out for a drink. It was such a great way to relax after a very busy day.Read more

  • Terry And Randy ClarkeCarnegie Hall DebutTraveler
    Lots to see on our morning walk.
    Our hotel was really close to The Late ShowWe saw a mansion for sale close to the MOMA. We looked online at the listing and the photos.The lobby was busy as the choir gathered for the walk to Carnegie HallGreat group shot across the street from Carnegie Hall.It was difficult to get a clear shot of my singersOur choir with the orchestra in dress rehearsalThe performance. Orchestra now in formal wear.Good friendsWaiting to board our cruise shipThe Brooklyn Bridge from the top deck of the Spirit of New YorkGordo and the Brooklyn BridgeSo close to the Statue of LibertyThe reflection in the clouds was so cool.The Staten Island Ferry went by a couple of times.Getting ready for the performance outside Carnegie Hall.Great spot to watch New York go byNot sure a photo was high on the priorityTaking a break from the dance floor.

    Its Show Time

    May 27, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 21 °C

    We were scheduled to arrive at Carnegie Hall's stage door at 1:30 for dress rehearsal, but our morning was free. The students were asked to remain in the hotel to rest up for the performance so Lex and I were on our own. We had a nice breakfast then took a walk. The weather forecast was awful, but the rain held off for our walk to Carnegie Hall. We stopped across the street for a group photo. The choir was in their formal atire for dress rehearsal, so it was a nice picture. We all collected our backstage passes and had time to hang out in dressing room 5. I made a trip to Walgreens for forgotten items, and it was pouring. We had made it inside just in time. I was allowed to sit in the audience for dress rehearsal, and it was so amazing. First of all, to get to the hall, I was able to go back stage, I had to stop and wait while a large harp was wheeled off stage. The hall itself was beautiful. There was a full orchestra, and the acoustics were unbelievable. I was fortunate in that I saw the performance twice. The full performance started at 7:00 pm and was for 3 hours, there were two other choirs. I was so proud watching Alexis and Charity on stage at Carnegie Hall. After the performance, our buses were waiting to take us to Chelsea Pier to board the Spirit of New York for a cruise. The weather cooperated, and the rain had stopped. Alexis and I headed to the top deck and found seats at the rail, and we spent the entire cruise there. The skyline was so beautiful. The boat was very impressive. 4 decks, a number of bars, a lighted dance floor, and a dj. There was a hot and cold buffet that we didn't even check out. The students loved the dj, and the dance floor was packed. It was after 2:00 am when we made it back to the hotel. What a wonderful day.Read more

  • Terry And Randy ClarkeCarnegie Hall DebutTraveler
    Our first stop in Times Square was the M&M store.
    A quick stop at Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall.The Lego Store was next. It's amazing what you can build. The taxi was coolEveryone found things they just had to have. Never to old for legoThis one's for Graham he is a big fanWe lit candles in St Patrick'sSuch a beautiful cathedralSomething for everyone at the Lego store. Baby grand $600Such a beautiful cathedralAlexis made a new friend. We could have used him to get into our room.This is for Sean we saw it while hanging out at the Nintendo StoreOne last picture on our way out of town.

    Its A Wrap

    May 28, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Monday was such an unbelievable day with the concert and harbour tour. We thought we may sleep in, but we were up bright and early. We had a good breakfast and packed our bags for a 1:00 pm. check out. We met with our students who had a list of places they wanted to visit in Times Square. We headed out at 9:30 and spent a little over 3 hours checking places off their list. It was so much fun watching them explore each place. We were back to the hotel with 15 minutes to spare. We went to our room to grab our bags and wait for our bus. The plan was that buses would leave at 1:30 and with stops and border crossing we should be at Beale by 11:00. You know what they say about the best laid plans. I used my card to open our door, but no luck. Alexis tried her card, but no luck. The elevators were so busy that I decided to walk down the 7 flights of stairs to get a new card. The lobby was crazy busy with our group checking out and another big group checking in, but I finally had my card reprogrammed, and I was lucky to get an elevator. Tried to open the door again, but no luck. Alexis took the stairs and explained to the front desk that the new card didn't work and that there were no lights on the card reader. She was told they would send someone up. We waited the longest 10 minutes, and I walked down the stairs again. The buses were loading, and we were starting to panic. A porter named Harrison came up with me and tried his master. No luck. Hmm, he said it's not lighting up. I can't help you. Alexis walked down the 7 sets of stairs, and she was told we needed an engineer. The engineer finally showed up and said it needs a new battery, and he left to get the proper tools. By this point, the buses had to leave because they can only block traffic for so long before they get ticketed. The two buses were driving around the Times Square area while we waited to get into our room. It took over an hour and a half for that to happen. We then had to try and meet the buses somewhere they could stop long enough to load our luggage while blocking traffic. We waited on the corner of Broadway and West 54th Street and jumped on our bus as it pulled over as best it could. Unbelievable. Our bus drivers were amazing, and the group was so supportive. The hotel staff were unbelievable as well, but not in a good way. Instead of arriving at 11, we pulled into Beale at 1:30 on Wednesday morning. It was an absolutely amazing trip overall, and I am very grateful for the experience. Especially the time I had with Alexis and Charity, what a wonderful gift.Read more

    Trip end
    May 29, 2024
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