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The Madrigals of AACS have just returned from an amazing week in Rome to participate in the International Church Music Festival from June 13-June 20. Follow our adventure and listen to our music!

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Wednesday - Papal Audience in Piazza San Pietro

On the bus ride to the Vatican, while driving past the ruins of ancient Rome, we were lead in a devotion by Art Hill.



Once at the Vatican, we found our seats outside of the Basilica and sat with the other U.S. church groups participating in the ICMF tour. This was a great time to take some shots of the group.

































































Paul Leddington Wright, one of the festival conductors, directed the group's performance.
























































































































































































The pope arrived in a convertible “Pope Mobile” and was driven around through the crowd and eventually up the steps to St. Peters.










These guys just stood at attention for the two hour service in these uniforms













The pope sat alone and did the Wednesday morning service.

The service was in Italian. However groups of pilgrims and visitors were announced for many different countries in the native language of the country. Apparently, when a group is acknowledged, it may acknowledge its presence via some type of response or performance—either a song, a dance, or just a loud scream. Our group was the only one that sang. All the others would respond with loud cheers. If the pope heard your group, he would raise his arms to acknowledge the group being announced.

When the ICMF group was being announced, a G was given via various pitch pipes throughout the group. The group stood and delivered it’s song. The crowd clapped and the pope acknowledged the group.


















































































































Upon returning to the hotel, the group spent time getting lunch, visiting sites...






































... and shopping!



















































Dinner was at the hotel.

After dinner, we boarded the bus to a church for the international concert of ICMF choirs. I didn't get any shots of them :(


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3 comments:

  1. Heather NicoleJune 18, 2009 at 3:05 PM

    wow wow wow wow wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    that is just... I mean... wow! SO COOL!!!!
    I bet that is something you will never forget!!!!!!
    I wonder what they sang?

    p.s. this is like the best blog ever. I love it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJune 18, 2009 at 10:15 PM

    I am wondering what the song was too! I am confident it communicated your purpose in being there and am so thankful for the opportunity presented there for all of you. This blog is superb! If possible, let Lindsay Wallace know Kayla Rose was able to picked her out of the crowd :)!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mike and Janet SpryJune 19, 2009 at 5:55 AM

    Todd...you da man with these fantastic photos. I thank the Lord for your wonderful talent and appreciate the photo journals...they are such a blessing...In Love & In Christ...Mike

    ReplyDelete

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The Rome Festival June 13-20, 2009



6/13, Sat. - Depart USA.

6/14, Sun. - Arrive Rome. Transfer into the Eternal City of Rome, head of the great Roman Empire and seat of Christianity, a city rich with relics and superb monuments which stand as testament to its incomparable past. Dinner with your group.

6/15, Mon. - Guided tour for all groups: “Ancient Rome including the Coliseum and Roman Forum.” Festival opening ceremony and Welcome Event.

6/16, Tue. - Morning rehearsal for singers. Non-singers: Villa Borghese & gallery, including guided tour. Independent lunch. Afternoon guided tour for all groups: “Vatican museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica.” Evening at leisure.

6/17, Wed. - Papal Audience in Piazza San Pietro. Free afternoon for all groups to enjoy Rome. International Concert this evening.

6/18, Thur. - Morning rehearsal for singers. Non-singers: walking tour of medieval Rome – Trastevere area. Independent lunch. Individual choirs perform at afternoon concerts in some of Rome’s most unique and spectacular churches.

6/19, Fri. - Morning rehearsal for singers. Non-singers: half-day guided tour to Tivoli, including Villa D’Este. Dinner at hotel. Gala Concert with orchestra this evening in Rome.

6/20, Sat. - Depart Rome.

About The Madrigals



The AACS Madrigal Singers is a group of seventeen high school students from the Annapolis Area Christian School, Annapolis Maryland. The group started in 1991 as an after school activity and was established in 1992 as part of the daily curriculum of the school. The group has sung in the following venues:


  • National Cathedral, Washington DC

  • National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

  • The White House

  • Nursing Homes and retirement communities in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Deleware, and Virginia

  • Harper’s Ferry Christmas Festival, West Virginia

  • Midnight Madness – Downtown Annapolis Maryland

  • Military Bases

  • Association of Christian Schools

  • TV and Radio

  • International Conferences

  • Camden Yards Baseball Stadium - Baltimore Maryland

  • County and State Choral Festivals

  • The 50th Anniversary of the End of WWII

  • Celebrations in France and England

  • Shopping Malls

  • Maryland Educators Music Conference

  • Bowie Bay Sox Stadium

  • The Maryland Renaissance Festival

  • Hospitals

  • Annapolis Maryland City Council

  • Private Parties

  • Community Children’s Fair

  • Rotary Clubs

  • Cindy Bauchspies’ Annual Christmas Concert

  • Moscow Ballet at the Mechanic Theater

  • International Church Music Festival Bern, Switzerland June 2001, 2003

  • Performed in concert with recording artist Michael Card

  • State House, Annapolis, MD

  • Towson University, MD

  • Eastern University, PAc


    • Followers