Day 9-- To Pelham, GA & Home!

For our final day of Tour ’09, we had to get on the road early to make the long drive from New Orleans to Pelham, GA for an evening concert. Long travel days give us a chance to catch up on sleep, have Bible Study on the bus, finish the Spades tournament, talk, sleep, write inter-bus mail to each other, read, sleep, listen to I-pods, and even work on the website (thanks to 3G!). We look forward to the occasional Truck Stop or Rest Area to move around a little (or play Frisbee if you are a teenage boy!), and we anxiously anticipate our lunch break, taking turns asking Glenn “when are we gonna eat?”

As it turned out, our lunch stop was in Mariana, FL, Glenn’s hometown, so we had the privilege of getting to visit Glenn’s childhood home where his great-aunt and great-uncle currently live. They came outside for a “mini-concert” of about 4 songs that the youth can sing a cappella. What a treat! Later, the good people at FBC Pelham enjoyed the full concert and treated us to a delicious BBQ dinner afterwards.

Daily Journals

Last night we sang at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. We got there kind of early so after setting up we just sat around drinking water. I was supposed to play preservice so I got settled in and used to the piano. All of a sudden, Glenn and some other youth came walking out of a room carrying another piano. I was like, “What?” So as it turns out, Glenn wasn’t happy with the piano I was on. They soon got it figured out because we started singing right after the switch. We opened a little differently by singing about 4 songs standing around the listeners instead of just one. I liked it like this because we could watch the rest of the choir and it sounded pretty neat. The concert went well and the church was gracious enough to feed us after. They were so excited about feeding us a “real New Orleans meal” that they fed us jambalaya.
-Hannah W.

Day 8-- In New Orleans

Happy Birthday, Hannah! Wednesday morning after Bible Study, Hannah was surprised with a Birthday Beignet! We then visited a few souvenir shops before having a fun cooking lesson and lunch at the New Orleans School of Cooking. We enjoyed making and eating Crab & Corn Bisque, Jambalaya, Pralines, and Bananas Foster. We then went to the Poydras Home, a very nice retirement facility, where we enjoyed time to meet the residents before performing a concert for them. The youth then had about an hour and a half break before going to perform a concert at St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

Daily Journals

Wednesday night we held a concert at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. As we do at every concert, we go and talk to the audience. I looked around, saw about 20 people, and started talking. We had about 20 minutes to talk, so I made my way around the room until I saw an elderly (there you go Glenn) couple. The woman was in a wheelchair and the man was right beside her helping her get situated. I thought to myself, “Oh no, is she going to be deaf?” If you have ever experienced it, talking to deaf people is a really hard task. But when I looked into her eyes, I saw youth and spirit like she was 25 years old again. Her husband’s eyes were the same way. So I introduced myself, talked about the choir a little and her husband pointed to the program and started talking about “Bridge Over Troubled Water”. So, I started explaining New Voice to them and it was like that song triggered a thousand memories. So they started talking, ninety-to-nothing. You could tell they had been together for a while, and that they were made for each other. They both picked at each other and made jokes and even sometimes completed each other’s sentences. So during the concert, New Voice was called down to sing their songs. And while we were singing “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, I sneaked a peak at the couple. I saw them holding hands and singing along with us and the woman gave me a really big smile as the man gave me a thumbs up with his free hand. I almost started laughing right then. After the concert, I went back to the couple and they started giving us so much praise. It felt like I was at home because they reminded me so much of my Grandma Sue and Grandpa Terry. I think that concert was the best we ever had, just because of that couple.
-Aaron T.

Day 7-- Seguin, TX to New Orleans, LA

Tuesday is a travel day, with approximately 7 hours spent on the bus. Everyone finds plenty of ways to keep busy and entertain themselves. We enjoyed a break/lunch stop in a mall food court in Beaumont, TX. Upon arriving in New Orleans, Taylor H. met us at the hotel just in time to go to dinner. Glenn took the seniors out for a special evening while everyone else walked around the French Quarter and to the Riverwalk in search of food.

You know you are in Texas when there is a tractor on display inside the Mall instead of a car.

Daily Journals

As we walked down the colorful streets of New Orleans exploring Jackson Square and the French Quarter, I realized the cornucopia of different cultures that reside in this city. The French, the Creole, the Cajuns, and a variety of other Americans of all races were combined to make the distinct New Orleans flavor. This trip provided insight into the many different people God has created. I realized if everyone was the same, life would be stagnant and uneventful. Diversity is a gift which is brought together under the beautiful heart of God.
-Cassie H.

This was my first choir tour and I had a lot of fun. I think I’m going to keep on with choir until my senior year.
-Macy M.

Day 6--The Alamo to New Braunfels, TX

After a busy day yesterday, Monday is just for fun. This morning the youth were able to sleep late, visit the Alamo or go to the Riverwalk to eat and shop. The afternoon will be spent at the Schlitterbahn Waterpark in New Braunfels, TX.

Daily Journals

On Monday, June 8th, we went to the Schlitterbahn Waterpark in New Braunfels, TX. We arrived there around 3:00 and stayed until 8:00. We all split up into groups. There were 2 parts of the park, Schlitterbahn East and West. My group consisted of Woody, Daniel, Obi, Will, Caleb and myself. We had loads of fun. The rides were tons of thrill. The first half of the day, we stayed at Schlitterbahn East. Our favorite ride was the Soda Straws. It was really fast. But around 5:30 we took a shuttle bus to the other park. We all had a fun time at both parks.
-Brian C.

The Riverwalk (in San Antonio) was amazing. Our hotel had an exit that opened right onto the Riverwalk. It was so much fun to be allowed to go out to dinner and have time to shop. My group went to dinner at this amazing steakhouse and we had so much fun.

-Rachel H.

Day 5--In San Antonio

Sunday is not a day of rest on Choir Tour. Our amazing youth performed 3 times today in 3 very different venues. First, they participated in the morning worship service at Woodland Baptist Church. The church then fed us a delicious lunch which Josh said was the best lunch he'd ever eaten on Tour (high praise because we've had some good ones!). The next stop was Morningside Meadows Retirement Community. When Glenn apologized for going over the 30 minutes we were given, everyone emphatically told them to keep singing. Our 3rd very warm reception of the day came after a brief tour of San Fernando Cathedral, the oldest Catholic Cathedral in the U.S., when the choir performed there during a very special evening mass similar to our Deacon Ordination. Everything was beautiful, from the golden altar to the fantastic acoustics.

Daily Journals

When I was met with the thought of singing at Woodland Baptist Church, intimidation immediately set in. Randy Edwards, the minister of music, is a great director who founded Youth Cue, the organization I went to Mexico with last summer. He was the director on that trip so it should not come as a surprise that I wanted us to do very well. I think we did! The church service was exactly like ours at FBC Forsyth and I felt very comfortable singing for the people there. They fed us a very good lunch (the brownie and ice cream was my favorite though!). But the most exciting thing for me was getting to reunite with a lot of my friends that went to Mexico in San Antonio who go to that church. It may be the highlight of my tour.
-Emily G.

On Sunday, we performed at the Morningside Meadows Retirement Community. We had a very good concert there. All of the residents enjoyed our concert and were very appreciative of us coming.
-Jennifer M.

The Catholic Church was very cool. I go to a Catholic Church, but it was a lot different. They had a 24kt solid gold altar! They were having a ceremony for the 3rd year of training for the deacons. They have to train for 5 years! They also had a program that had the whole mass in it. I think it was cool to be going to the oldest Catholic Cathedral in North America. It has gone through floods and fires. All in all, it was a wonderful experience.
-Caroline W.

Day 4--To San Antonio

After getting to sleep a little later on Saturday and dropping by the local Starbucks for a little breakfast, the choir provided a very touching noon-time concert at the Star of Hope Women's Shelter in Houston. Our youth enjoyed playing with the kids at the shelter so much that we had to check for stow-aways getting back on the bus. We then stopped for lunch at a locally-reknowned Mexican restaurant before making the 3-hour drive to San Antonio. At our hotel, we jumped off the bus and onto a boat to tour San Antonio by way of the river. Finally after free time for dinner on the Riverwalk and swimming in the roof-top pool at the Hyatt, groups gathered for their evening Examen time.

Daily Journals

Our concert today took place at one of the nicest facilities of its kind, Star of Hope Women and Family Emergency Shelter located in Houston, Texas. This concert has been our most spiritually effective performance thus far. Black, while, mixed, young, old, Mexican, Asian, heavy, skinny, pregnant, poor—a unique plethora of people in need were all in the same room, listening to the Good Word. Tears, serenity, and peace were only a few emotions that were visibly obvious on the faces of a very captivated audience. Today the choir really got a taste of our purpose and mission.
-Laura C.

We ate at a very traditional Mexican restaurant called “Ninfa’s” I am very honored to say that it was wonderful and I felt at home! Lots of the youth did not like the authentic food and graced Kasey, Josh, and me with about 4 extra plates of food!! I’m overfed and extremely satisfied! The tour is going amazingly well! Thank you so much FBC family. We love and miss you!
-Laila B.

Day 3--To Houston, Texas

Friday began with a 2-hour boat tour of the Louisiana Bayou. Everyone enjoyed getting an up-close look at the local wildlife while driving through the watery roads of the Cyprus swamp. Later on the long bus ride to Houston, everyone participated in the daily Bible Study led by Josh. In it, we are exploring the question "What are we here for?" and trying to learn the purposes for not only this Tour, but also for our lives.

The next stop was at the Texas Childrens' Hospital where New Voice performed in the dialysis unit and the full choir sang in the hospital lobby. Afterwards, everyone was able to unwind at the local mall before heading back to the hotel (a very nice one! Thanks, Glenn!) where they could enjoy the pool and hot tub and have Examen time.

Daily Journals

Today while on our swamp tour, the guide asked our group of kids to sing- 11 youth plus Josh sang Bless His Holy Name. I think it may have rivaled the performance of the full choir last night at Prejeans! Try to imagine it for yourself so that you can get chill bumps too: we’re in a quiet, wooded part of the swamp, searching for gators, with our Jesus-witnessing guide filming the performance, and a small choir of angels sing praises to our Lord!
-Ms Sarah

Today we toured the swamplands in Louisiana. This is the first time I’ve been on choir tour as well as the first time I’ve toured a swampland. As the 14 people in our group piled into the rickety boat that would be our only life support against the hungry alligators, I prayed we wouldn’t sink. The tour turned out to be extremely enjoyable. We saw alligators basking in the sun, great blue herons, and thousands of dragonflies. It gave me a different perspective of all the beautiful things God has created in this world. From the graceful dragonfly that protected us from mosquitoes, to the mighty alligators that allowed us to get close enough to take a picture, these creatures were magnificent and amazing.
God Bless,
-Cassie H.

Day 2--To Lafayette, LA

Thursday started with a little rain and a long ride from Fairhope, Alabama across Mississippi to Cajun Country in Louisiana. The youth sang beautifully for the residents of the Camelot retirement center, then enjoyed some free time around the hotel before going to an authentic Cajun restaurant called Prejeans.

Daily Journals

On 6/4/09, we sang at a Retirement Center. It was a two-part retirement center. There was a nursing home on one half of the building, and then on the other side of the building was an Assisted Living apartment complex. When we started to sing to all of the people, there were instant smiles everywhere. You could tell by just the sounds of their voices that we lightened up their life. That is my favorite part of Choir Tour. I love singing to old people that know our songs and they sit there and sing with us.
-Aaron T.

After an hour or so of playing frisbee or swimming in the hotel pool or just hanging out talking, we ventured to a locally-reknowned restaurant where we enjoyed delicious, spicy Gumbo, fried crawfish, catfish, shrimp and even alligator. (And in case anyone didn't know, Glenn likes shrimp!) Back at the hotel, everyone broke up into small groups for Examen time where we get to discuss the highs and lows of our days to search for spiritual direction.

-Ms Kristy

Day 1--To Fairhope, Alabama

Students had a warm welcome in Fairhope as the church treated everyone to a wonderful and members hosted the choir in their homes.

Daily Journals

Each day choir members and chaperones will be telling a little about their experiences in Daily Journals. They can comment on anything from their first impressions of Tour to spades games to concert performances to stays in host homes and hotels to Bible studies and all the fun activities along the way. Check back for updates each day as well as pictures and a slideshow, a new feature added so that you can enjoy more pictures than ever from the trip! Isn’t technology wonderful!
-Ms Kristy

A host home mom commented on what a good group of kids we have—well-behaved and they all used their manners.
-Ms Michelle

The host homes were a lot more fun than I thought they would be. I’ve never been on Choir Tour, but it is a great experience so far.
-Caroline W.

Pre-Tour Concert May 31, 2009

Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless

After many months of hard work and preparation, Choir Tour '09 kicks off with a concert at a shelter for the homeless in downtown Atlanta.

Tour Itinerary 2009

Below you will find an abbreviated itinerary including most information on travel and singing. In addition to this, we have daily Bible study and Examen as well as many other activities.

Wednesday, June 3
Forsyth, GA to Fairhope, AL
time on road – 6 hrs, 7 min
mileage – 392 miles

8:00 arrive at FBC (eat breakfast before you arrive)

load bus, seniors pick seats first

9:00 depart Forsyth

3:30 arrive Fairhope, AL

5:00 dinner at church

6:30 P.M. Concert at Fairhope UMC

7:30 go to homes

Thursday, June 4
Fairhope, AL to Lafayette, LA
time on road – 4 hrs, 30 min
mileage – 281 miles

8:00 arrive at church, load bus

8:30 depart church

2:15 arrive Camelot

3:00 Concert at Camelot of Broussard

4:30 depart

4:45 arrive Comfort Inn, unload luggage, freshen-up

6:30 depart

7:00 dinner at Prejeans Restaurant

9:30 arrive hotel

10:30 in room

11:30 lights out!

Friday, June 5
Lafayette, LA to Houston, TX
time on road – 3 hrs, 40 min
mileage – 229 miles

8:00 depart hotel

8:15 arrive Cajun Country Swamp Tours

3:40 arrive Texas Children’s Hospital

4:30 Concert in lobby

5:45 depart for hotel

6:15 arrive, check-in at Sheraton Suites, Houston

6:45 walk to Galleria for dinner

9:00 mall closes, walk back to hotel

11:30 lights out

Saturday, June 6
Houston, TX to San Antonio, TX
time on road – 3 hrs, 4 min
mileage – 199 miles

10:30 depart hotel

11:00 arrive Star of Hope

12:00 meal begins

12:15 Concert at Women and Family Emergency Shelter

5:30 arrive Hyatt Regency, check-in, unload luggage

6:30 cruise the river with Rio San Antonio Cruises

11:30 lights out

Sunday, June 7
San Antonio, TX
attire – Concert Attire until 6:00

9:00 depart hotel

9:30 arrive at church

10:45 – Sing in a.m. worship at Woodland Baptist Church

11:45 lunch at church

1:00 arrive retirement home, set-up risers/handbells

2:30 Concert at Morningside Meadows Retirement Community

4:00 arrive San Fernando Cathedral, tour Cathedral

5:00 Sing for Mass

6:00 depart for hotel, change into honey t-shirt, relax, dinner in groups

11:30 lights out

Monday, June 8
San Antonio, TX to New Braunfels, TX
time on road – 40 min
mileage – 33 miles
New Braunfels, TX to Seguin, TX
time on road – 35 min
mileage – 15 miles
attire – casual, (put modest swimsuit, towel, dry clothes in carry-on bag)

12:30 depart hotel

2:30 arrive Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort

8:15 depart waterpark (change into dry clothes)

8:50 arrive Comfort Inn & Suites

11:30 lights out!

Tuesday, June 9
Seguin, TX to New Orleans, LA
time on road – 7 hrs, 47 min
mileage – 506 miles

8:30 depart

5:45 arrive Holiday Inn Express

11:30 lights out!

Wednesday, June 10
New Orleans, LA

9:00 walk around French Quarter in groups

10:00 New Orleans School of Cooking

12:30 depart on bus

2:00 Concert at Poydras Home

6:30 Concert at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

7:30 dinner at church

11:30 lights out!

Thursday, June 11
New Orleans to Pelham, GA
time on road – 7 hrs, 7 min
mileage – 442 miles
Pelham, GA to Forsyth, GA
time on road – 2hrs, 30 min
mileage – 154 miles

7:45 depart

6:00 Concert at Pelham FBC

7:00 dinner at Pelham FBC

8:00 depart Pelham

10:30 arrive FBC Forsyth

Sunday, June 14
Forsyth, GA
attire – concert attire

9:30 warm-up in sanctuary

10:00 devotional warm-up in choir room

10:30 Home Concert at FBC Forsyth

12:00 Bid adieu to friends until August and Seniors forever! (not really)