From America:4

Saturday June 26

After breakfast with our wonderful host families, we were transported to the Sussex County Community College Performing Arts Centre in Newton. We were delighted to be joined by Miss Morris and the remaining four students who were tired from last night's plane journey but in very good spirits after a slow journey to New Jersey from the airport late last night. The stage of this recently built, 500-seat 'theater' was rapidly filled by the combined orchestras of over 90 players with the St. Bede's School Choir positioned to one side. After sound checks on the PA system, the rehearsal started. The choir left the orchestra for a separate rehearsal in the foyer. Air conditioning made our work environment quite luxurious after the rehearsal venues of the last two days! After mid-morning bagel break, by the shores of the College lake, a complete run-through of the programme took place.

By 12:30, we were on four yellow buses, on our way to a picnic at Dr. and Mrs. Benson's magnificent home on the banks of Lake Mohawk. Within a few minutes, students were swimming to an off-shore pontoon and paddling the canoes. Later on, Admiral Barclay and a motor boat took them for trips or towed them on rubber floats on the lake. The picnic contained a variety of delicious food; the burgers, hot dogs and fried chicken were particularly popular. The glorious sunshine added to the pleasure of being what was a truly idyllic setting. By 4pm, we were beginning to disperse, in order to get ready for the concert at 7:30pm tonight.

I apologize for the lack of photographs accompanying these postings from America; I can put text on the website from our new Jersey base but not photographs. These have to be e-mailed back to St Bedes's and added from there. Lots more photographs will be added upon our return
Bob Brown