From America: 7

Our fifth full day saw us reassemble at the church in Newton for another rehearsal in preparation for our two concerts planned for the day. After a little under two hours we boarded our buses for the journey to the house of the Good Shepherd Retirement Community in Hackettstown, NJ. After a stop for lunch, one bus at McDonald’s and the other at Wendy’s, we arrived at the immaculately presented estate, a mix of individual homes and a large central building of over 100 apartments. The residents began to assemble in their main hall as we set up. The concert consisted of three sessions of full choir interspersed with a wide variety of smaller groups and soloists reflecting the wide variety of talent and musical styles at St Bede’s. Solos by Sophie Booth, Roz Lloyd-Bostock sang with real conviction and flair; Lydia Bannister, Nikita Leys, Larah Charlesworth and Alice Auer sang folk songs with Miss. Morris playing guitar, and we were all held by the atmosphere and musicality of these beautiful renditions. Georgia Ellis, as a First Year student, sang with maturity and grace. Amelia Read, Lucy Reynolds and Rebecca Chan played a very well received Paul Harris Trio for Flute, Clarinet and Piano. Alice Rudge and Sophie Booth with Mr. Scamardella performed a quintessentially English Trio by Frank Bridge and the Barbershop Group finished off the afternoon with a flourish performing What a Wonderful World, Blue Moon and You Were Always on my Mind.

All were warmly received and the concert ended with an impromptu and rousing rendition of Sussex by the Sea, followed by punch and biscuits for the students ( although some of the elderly ladies took advantage by stocking up for the days ahead)

After our journey back to Newton, the combined Big Bands started their rehearsal. After pizzas back at the hall, the concert started at 7.00pm with the BTEC band, with the addition of brass and percussion from some of our American counterparts. Georgie Collinson led the vocals in Signed, Sealed, Delivered, Diggin’ on James Brown, Spain to name a few.

The Jazz Choir then took centre stage with Fever, then slowing the pace with I’ve got you under my skin and ending with Fly me to the moon.

The combined Big Band then raised the tempo and temperature with a succession of items including Bacharach’s Look of Love, Little Darling, Cubano Chart, Respect, Ellington’s Don’t Get Around Much Anymore, and ended with Sing, Sing, Sing. An excited and lively audience danced the night away and everyone cooled down with ice cream and sodas.

Mr. Barclay paid tribute to all those, too many to name, who have made our stay here such a wonderful experience, particularly our host families and the families of the SCYO who have so generously fed and watered us with such charm and care. The irrepressible Dawn Tedesco was presented with flowers; the inspirational Gerry Tedesco a travelling alarm clock.

We very much look forward to Times Square, Liberty State Park and Broadway tonight on our final full day in the USA.