Boston Day 2

Wow - what a day!!! I can't even begin to communicate how special today was. But, I'll try by at least listing all the amazing events of today:

*6am - Well, it started out with Starbucks... phew! Waking up at 6am (3am PST) after little sleep, it was refreshing to get some good coffee in the lobby. We wished Kathy C. a happy 18th - how fun to have a birthday in Boston! Then it was off the ballroom (wish we could have had Waltz Night in there!) for a continental breakfast and a rehearsal.

*8:30am - bus left and we were off for our 4 hour city tour with Bette (when not being a Boston City tour guide, she's a pro ice skating instructor). First stop was the North End. The streets are cobblestone and too narrow for the bus, so, though it was quite nippy out, we all walked for the next hour or so. We saw Paul Revere's house - it was built in 1680 (5 years before Bach and Handel were born, BTW) and he moved into it 80 years later. The construction was amazing - stainglass replica windows and nails in the door. It's now a museum - we didn't go in, but took lots of pictures outside. Next we went to see the statute of Paul Revere near the Old North Church. Old North Church (where they lit the laterns - 2 because the 'enemy' came by sea) is amazing. Didn't know that the churches had boxes with high sides because each family would bring a foot heater (a metal box with a heated brick or stone in it) and would huddle for warmth in the winter. The church was beautiful - it's still a functioning church, though not the same denomination. Next we went to the 2nd oldest burial ground - Copp's Hill Burying Ground. It was fascinating - the oldest headstone is dated in the early 1600's. We learned the women in the early days died primarily of childbirth, and secondarily of being burned in a kitchen fire (the wore heavy clothing and worked inside the fire pit 3 times a day - when their clothes caught on fire it could often be fatal) (thank goodness for microwaves). Then we went by bus past the USS Constitution (we're going there on Sunday) and to the Bunker Hill Monument (that's actually on Bleeker Hill). Many of the kids and a few chaperones walked the 291 steps (20 stories) up and back down the monument. For more info about the places we went today, check out: http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/visitor/visitor.html. Then we drove through Cambridge to Harvard Square - we popped out and half of us went to the Harvard souvenir shop and the other half did a quicky tour of Harvard Yard.

*1pm - lunch at Quincy Market. Yum, yummy and yum-o. There was a ton of different local dishes to choose from - the kids mainly ate 'safe' food (I saw a couple of Phillie Cheese Steak sandwiches) and some of the adults (me included) really enjoyed the local fare (I had a Lobster Roll and a Clam Bake... heaven!) - here's the link to the selection of food vendors in the Quincy Market at Faneuil Hall (The "Cradle of Liberty" - on the second floor of Faneuil Hall there is still a public meeting place - it's where John Adams and many others spoke often): http://www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com/dining3.html

*1:30pm - Then we went through town to Symphony Hall to hear the incredible BSO (Boston Symphony Orchestra). Known to be one of the world's most famous halls housing one of the world's best orchestras, this was a treat for one and all. We heard the Brahms Double concerto (for violin and cello) played beautifully by two soloist (the violinist played on a Stradivari) who were so passionate, so musical, so inspirational. Then the 2nd half of the concert was the 1 hour and 15 minute long Bruckner 7th Symphony. The program notes were great and it was a wonderful concert! We took pictures down infront of the stage after the concert. You can watch the enhanced video podcast of the concert (I think) at this site:
http://www.bso.org/bso/index.jsp?id=bcat5220002 - you can even read the program notes and more.

*4:30pm - Off to BU (Boston University) Tsai Performing Arts Center - after a snack, we listened to about 25 minutes of the Boston University Symphony rehearsed by David Hoose. They were working on an amazing violin concerto - Mr. Hoose was incredible with the students. It was a real 'pro' rehearsal - amazing to see the concentration, professionalism, focus, and discipline of a high level rehearsal.

5:30pm - Clinic at BUSFA (Boston University School of Fine Arts - pronounced 'Ahhts') with David Hoose. After what had already been an amazing day, we were astounded to be yet again amazed - Mr. Hoose worked magic with our group. Within about 30 minutes he had us sounding so much more musical, mature, and connected. It was a real inspiration to feel the success of such a clinic. After the clinic we had a panel of music majors (students at BUSFA) talk to us Q&A style about being a music student.

8pm - Fire and Ice - wow and wow - this place, as our trip coordinator put it, is like "Mongolian Grill on steroids". It was a great dinner. Here's the website for where we went: http://www.fire-ice.com/locations/boston.html

9:30pm - quick stop at... yes... we finally did it... Dunkin Donuts. Had to. To celebrate Kathy's birthday. We enjoyed (?) the donuts in her honor and we're all now upstairs getting ready for tomorrow (Heritage Festival performances, Salem Witch Museum, Fenway and some shopping, then the grand award ceremony in the evening).

Oh, and did I mention that though it was cold (in the 40's) it was clear as day - beautiful and sunny. We're sleepy, but happy - tummies happy, souls happy, bodies tired, and inspired as a group. I'll blog more tomorrow...
:)
~Ms. S