US Gospel Tour 2012
Douglas Singers, Chicago.
We are now taking bookings for our 7th USA Gospel Tour.
The US Gospel Tour 2012 is for all of you who want to not only experience the African American church but want to participate in it. We will form a choir and sing at numerous events (on the 2009 tour the group sang at a neighbourhood festival in Chicago, on TV in Memphis and in churches and rehearsals with local choirs) — however, singing is voluntary and non singers are welcome. There are no auditions, and the tour is open to anyone who wants a deeper understanding of the black gospel tradition.
Once you have signed up, you will be given access to the tour wiki, where you can find detailed information about our destinations, travel tips, and scores and recordings of the repertoire we plan to sing.
The cost of the tour will be AUD 5750 (payable in 3 installments).
This includes:
— flights within the USA (starting from LA where we have our first meeting and rehearsal)
— twin-share accommodation in LA, Memphis, Chicago and New Orleans (single rooms will cost more)
— breakfast at the hotels
— ground transport
— some workshops
— entrance to the Civil Rights Museum, Memphis
— scores and mp3s of songs, and regular rehearsals and training from Tony
The price does not include your international flights to and from the USA.
Participants will also need:
— a passport (valid to 6 months AFTER you exit the USA after the tour)
— travel insurance
— ESTA visa waiver to enter the USA
— money for church collection plates, CDs and DVDs, shopping, nightclubs, red beans and rice, deep-dish pizza, shrimp étouffée, Abita Turbodog beer etc....
Itinerary:
Friday August 31: fly to Memphis. Evening free to explore Beale Street or whatever you fancy.
Saturday September 1: rehearse. Attend Memphis Music and Heritage Festival in the day, WLAC Stone Soul Picnic Festival in the afternoon, and participate in a program at Bethlehem MBC in the evening.
Sunday 2: attend service at Bethlehem MBC, share lunch with the church folk in the church basement; attend more of the Memphis Music and Heritage Festival. Possible evening service at another church.
Monday 3 - Wednesday 5: 3 days in Memphis - visit Civil Rights Museum, rehearse, attend choir and quartet rehearsals. Plenty of time for you to visit Gracelands, Stax Museum, Sun Studios, Gibson Guitar Factory etc.
Thursday 6: fly to Chicago. Attend choir rehearsal at a southside church.
Friday 7: Workshop with local music minister. Visit Center for Black Music Research.
Saturday 8: Rehearse. Attend Groovin' in the Grove community festival and quartet rehearsal.
Sunday 9: attend a dynamic quartet anniversary in the early evening, plus church in the morning
Monday 10: free day. Chicago architecture tours, art gallery, etc,
Tuesday 11: fly to New Orleans
Wednesday 12 - Saturday 15: New Orleans — churches, programs, rehearsals and workshops from local musicians
Sunday 16: Ebenezer MBC, Pressing Onward BC and other churches. Farewell dinner.
Monday 17: fly New Orleans-LA — and home.
Keep an eye on this page for more tour information and news.
For my report on the last Gospel Tour 2009, check my blog archives.
For a booking form or more information: ecoledefromage@gmail.com
+649 8177144