Sensational Singing and Sightseeing in the States for Bel Canto

In the recent June - July school holidays, 32 Choir members of Hillcrest’s Bel Canto Excellence Choir, and five support staff, travelled to the USA to participate in an International Choral Festival.

The first stop of the Tour was Seattle, where the students were billeted with families from the Northwest. They enjoyed a weekend with their host families and participated in a combined concert with two of the Northwest girls’ choir.

From there, the group took a few days out to rest in Portland, and travelled to the beautiful Multnomah Falls, where they sampled delicious street food from the food trucks in Downtown Portland, and spent a little hard-earned cash in the Nike Factory outlet store.

Two days later it was time for some serious singing. The Pacific International Choir Festival ran for six days on the beautiful Oregon University Campus in Eugene. Five choirs from the US joined us as we participated in workshops, rehearsals and combined concerts. Bel Canto were very honoured to be asked to perform at a lunchtime concert of the highly respected Oregon Bach Festival, in the beautiful Hult Centre.

Some tears were shed on departing the festival, as the group farewelled their new friends... but there was still LA left to conquer. After a flight, a bus trip and a whole lot of traffic, the group made it to the Anaheim Hotel for a pool party and ‘smores night.’ Sightseeing in LA, and a day in Disneyland and California Adventure Park (on the 4^th of July!) was a fantastic way to finish the trip.

On the group’s last day in America, they had one final performance in Pasadena, at the ILC Am Artist school, for one of their favourite audiences that they performed to, before heading off to Santa Monica for an afternoon of sun.

Special thanks to the Colllege community and the Hillcrest P&F for supporting this incredible tour, to the parents who continue to support their daughters in the Choral Excellence programs, and for their fundraising efforts, and to the touring staff for their care and hard work before and throughout the tour.

Finally, to the 32 choristers who represented Hillcrest Christian College and our country so beautifully, through their singing and their genuinely positive and caring interactions with so many others. Congratulations, we are incredibly proud of you all!