The World Choir Games - we are here!

After another early start and 6 hour bus drive we arrived in a very hot Cincinnati - the sign said 100 degrees on the way in - and it felt like it.

We checked into the lovely Millennium Hotel and had to quickly get down to the Cincinnati Reds Baseball Stadium to assemble for the World Choir Games Parade and opening ceremony. We had a bit of a hiccup, but more of that later.

We assembled near the front of the parade, after Albania and Algeria - then came the Aussies!!!! WE were fortunate to be in the shade whilst waiting and it was hard to contain the excitement with the Choir Games Mascots Whirl and Twirl nearby. The obligatory "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie" was heard - much to my chagrin!- however Christie had asked for some restraint to protect voices.

The Parade itself was a fairly short walk from the Baseball Stadium to the Bank Arena - think our Entertainment Centre and you have the idea. It was filling rapidly with 364 choirs and 15,000 participants. It was very cool in there (temperature and otherwise!) and we
the chance to have a drink and something to eat whilst waiting for the rest of the countries to assemble.

The show began at 7.00pm and had the obligatory welcoming speeches from the Politicians, and Mayor plus the major sponsors of the games. Not too boring, and finally the Games were declared open.

We all joined in for the Choir Games Anthem and then the Choir Games theme song. The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra kept things humming along with a musical history of America since their Independence. As it was Independence Day, they were very parochial - with Indians, the Civil War, the roaring 20's, the Andrews Sisters, and a celebration of gospel and contemporary music.

We left the Arena at about 9.30pm were to head outside for the Independence Day fireworks, however it was oppressively hot, and so many people trying to get a vantage point we opted to catch the shuttle back to the hotel and get rested for a big rehearsal day and performance tomorrow.

Some information that needs to be shared, in order to get the same message across to parents.

We had a difficult situation today where the bus driver, who had delivered us from Washington to Cincinnati, left the hotel with our bags still on the bus - he advised us hurriedly that he had been told to move by the police and was going to "circle the block" and return. After completing our registration, we found that he had not returned as promised. Several phone calls were made to him and the organisers of our Tour (Classical Movements) and he DID return quite soon after. The ISSUE was that he was a contractor to the Company that Classical Movements had contracted - and claimed he had not been paid. Essentially, he used our luggage as "leverage" to get paid. He had been a wonderful bus driver to that point and we had no inkling of what was happening. We had the police involved and Classical Movements were doing all they could to address the situation. At the end, we got our bags - the driver has some issues to deal with - and Classical Movements were mortified and could not apologise enough. Unpleasant, but it got sorted out.

Another piece of information that the Tour Managers feel we must share, is that there has been many circumstances outside of our control that have caused schedules to be re- arranged or managed in short time frames. Many instances of insufficient information being provided to us, to the point that we double check EVERYTHING with the schedule daily (we learnt this on DAY ONE!). Even then - and with assurances from the Organisers - there has been issues - and there has been some "grumblings" about this within. We have addressed it here, but we wish to advise you that if you have heard about any lack of organisation - it has been a frustrating and at times difficult situation to manage. The Tour Leaders have addressed as many foreseeable issues daily, but still things pop up.

The main focus is getting us around safely, seeing the things we want to see, allowing time for the group to experience the USA and of course - be ready for rehearsals and concerts, plus getting sufficient dietary requirements and rest. This hasn't always sat well with everybody, but that's the way it goes with 41 people moving at once.

Now happily and safely settled in Cincinnati - time for our great singing to be heard!!!