After another glorious breakfast for TCC's big day, we walked to our
shuttle in Riga to head to our sound check for the Children's Choir
Competition at the Culture Palace (Z
iemelblazma).
Appropriately named, the Culture Palace is a 100 year old renovated
palace on the outskirts of Riga. The grounds were beautiful and had
lots of space for impormptu rehearsals, fun and games AND beautiful
greenery.
While TCC got down to business across town, YC women gathered for another very important rehearsal before thier competition the following day.
After sound check and a few more
run-thrus, they collected our belongings and headed back to the building
for our big performance! It was so great to have the Youth Chorale
cheering us on in the performance. The level of professionalism and
focus between your TCC Singers is truly amazing. AYS performed some of
the most complicated repertoire of all of the Children's and Youth
Choirs AND executed these pieces with refinement and finesse. While the
repertoire only consisted of four pieces, it took the Singers and
audience to a world beyond.
After the performance, we
headed to WCG Lunch facility and grabbed some Latvian grub. We have had a
different soup almost every meal along with another favorable Baltic
dish. We meet up with Youth Chorale at the end of our meal and
collectively headed back to the center of town via the festival shuttle
for our Friendship concert.
The
first choir in our Friendship concert was from the Czech Republic,
followed by a traditional Latvian Choir consisting of college aged
singers in traditional Latvian outfits! A senior choir from Latvia went
third, and were decked out in Latvian Amber and sang some native and
"foreign" pieces in English :).
While
these choirs were performing, the YC and TCC gathered for a quick run
through of the program, featuring all 4 ensembles. Even during our run
through, we attracted MANY visitors, followed with inquiries about where
we were from, etc. After a quick video stop for local media, we then
headed to the stage.
The crowd was GINORMOUS! What a great welcome from a beautiful and musical city!
TCC
kicked off the music with Stephen Paulus's "Daybreak". Then, the Young
Men's Choir led the crowd to another rousing rendition of "Viva
L'Amour". The YC women then sang a beautiful performance of "No Time"
(as heard by our TCC Families at Explore Four). YC Folk Ensemble then
clogged their way through "Shady Grove", as the entire audience clapped
along! Finally, we all joined together for a fun, fast round of "Juba".
After
leaving the stage, TCC and YC were greeted by countless strangers,
thanking us in Latvian, Russian, Chinese and more. What a wonderful
moment, quickly followed by celebratory singing and dancing.
With
a small break before dinner, we shopped at the special Latvian Arts and
Crafts market in the Vermanes Park, where we were performing. Yes, if
you are reading this, you may be getting an authentic Latvian souvenir
:) There were so many great vendors and quality goods, from local,
handcrafting artisans. The market is only gracing Riga for these long
hours during the World Choir Games. This country really wants us to have
a great time during our stay!
We then headed to the
Meal Facility by way of WCG shuttle. After a hearty dinner, we had some
time to exchange songs and goodies with other visiting choirs. We
especially had fun with the Russian Choir as TCC taught "Juba" and the
hand percussion to our new singing chums. It was so nice to sing, dance
and play with one of the many other children's choirs before returning
to the hotel to turn in for the night.
