Wednesday: Homeward Bound

We insisted on packing last evening so it was up, breakfast and be on the bus by 9.---- Well, we pulled out at 9:03 and were at the airport by 9:40. The good-bye's continued, they sang to our guide, Nesha (Nenad) who was very courteous, enjoyed the music, knowledgeable and according to many of the girls, has a killer smile and is adorable. In fact, he played the roll of adoring big brother quite well. The choir knew he enjoyed their music, antics, and joy of living, and was always appropriate.

Free luggage carts (which should be everywhere!) and we were at the counter. Check in, efficient at usual, thank you Suzie.  Then, an hour of chatting, chaperones saying good-bye (Dan and Hannah and several other choir members get out at Munich; Cassy and I take a later flight to Athens from Beograd.)  It is quite a set of chaperones / counselors. Each one brought unique and essential skills.  All took the task of guiding and protecting your young singer very seriously. And we got to know and like each other!  They met each challenge thoughtfully, with the young people's needs foremost.  I was very impressed, and I have spent my life working with people who engage young people.

This is my last journal. Being a chaperone is a an opportunity to get to know these people and enjoy great music from the inside. Rehearsals are so instructive. Bob and Sue really do know how to guide, cajole, and teach. They are so detail conscious and involved with each aspect.  The choir members are in a mentoring situation with great talent. I appreciate having this opportunity and highly recommend applying to be a chaperine if you can find the time. Cassy leaves Ensemble (16!!) and I need to commit full time effort to Maybeck High School as Head Teacher, so this was the year for me and I got more out of it than I even thought possible. I think I got the best job on tour.  As your eyes and ears, I got to write to you each day, send along a few pictures and have a group of captive readers. In fact, Piedmont Choirs have added so much to our family's life, these young people are so important to Cassy and are becoming so to me, that I began to think of the journal as a present to these young singers who are too busy to take the pictures, collect the data and write it down, and to their families who are not here. It was quite wonderful spending this time with such an intelligent, skilled group of singers who love music and who are so accomplished at producing their own, who understand a great deal about group and individual interactions, and who care very deeply, even letting it show sometimes, about each other and making great music.

I appreciate very much your emails and passed on all messages. The flight just left with your loved ones.  As you know they will be arriving on flight 458, Lufthansa, SFO at 6:40 pm.  It was hard to watch them go; however, we told them that the whole country was so excited about their return that they are planning a fireworks show for soon after they get back.  Please make sure someone lights the fuse.