Day 5: Performance and Party!

This morning, singers arrived refreshed having slept soundly post-sauna and sausages and sleep. Our morning warm-up included birthday wishes for Carys (16) and Audrey (15), with songs in English and Estonian (our traditional choir birthday songs) as well as in Finnish. Carys loved her GF chocolate muffin and the thoughtful card sent from sunny CA. Audrey glowed in her new earrings during our concert also sent from USA with love.

Fully warmed up, Ensemble and Vox Aurea singers moved into full run-throughs of Echoes of Eureka in preparation for tonight’s performance. Daniel, our choreographer has added impactful movements and helped us understand their intentions. It’s really coming together and the singers are anticipating their Finnish debut.

We took a break for lunch, at our favorite nearby college cafeteria. The well-loved meatballs were featured again, but today there was also a pasta dish and a fluffy chocolate-raspberry mousse. Our vegetarian singers had a choice of 3 salads, potatoes and the most scrumptious “chicken” nuggets. After everyone had filled their bellies with this nourishing fare, we walked back to the church to run through Ensemble’s non-Echoes concert repertoire.

Our singers then went home to rest, eat dinner with their homestay families, and get dressed in concert uniform. By a happy coincidence, Vox Aurea’s concert uniform tops are almost the exact color of Ensemble’s, so together on stage - they look very cool, as you’ll see from concert photos.

We had a full house for the concert. The line was out the door even as they opened. Our own Bob and Sue were in attendance all the way from Gualala!

Asked for one-word reactions to the whole concert, Nico said “powerful,” Sophie said “spicy” and VA singer Immi said “fue!” (which is what the kids are saying these days instead of “fire”). “It was more impactful to do it with both choirs,” reflected Audrey. Keanna said, “it was interesting to have a new perspective that gave it a new depth.”

“The performance was so touching,” said the parent of a Vox Aurea singer. Many tears were shed as the singers performed “Why Should I Leave” as an encore. This title has more than one powerful meaning for us as tomorrow is our last day with Vox Aurea.

The Jyväskylä premiere of Echoes of Eureka done, all singers were invited by Isaac, Daniel and Nico’s homestay family to celebrate their achievement with a party. “It’s gonna be lit!” says June.