The Chattanooga Girls Choir

An Open Letter to the Parents from Our 1997 Tour Director, Sara Kuhn:

July 17, 1997

Dear Friends,

What a trip! We had a wonderful time, and our girls learned so much. I have some terrific memories--of the girls gathering in the middle of the Lufthansa plane on our way overseas to sing for the passengers, Ed with his pitchpipe in the middle, girls straining to see him as they sang; of the girls at their first European breakfast, served cold cuts and cheeses; of their reaction to the time warp in this part of the world, where development seemed to have stopped about 1940; of the care the Czech people take of their things, things which we find out-of-date and in poor shape from overuse, but they are all they have. I was fascinated by the beautiful architecture that the Czech people take for granted, lovely old buildings with moldings and carvings and even paintings all over, some in poor repair simply because there is no money. I hope your daughters have told you about the buildings-and about Old Town Square in Prague, with the famous clock that we used as a meeting place, and St. Wenceslas Square, which even had a McDonald's and a Dunkin' Donuts. I enjoyed watching the girls realize how fortunate they are, as more than one of them mentioned she was thankful for modern toilets, water fountains, and air pollution laws!

The concert at St. Vitus, with all the choirs participating, was breathtaking. Charlene and I were the chaperones on duty that day during the long rehearsal (where the girls were thrilled to be one of the few choirs that knew the music well!), and I'll never forget all these American teenagers and children strewn over the grounds of the garden, picnicking and waiting to be put in the proper order for the processional. They were dressed in concert attire, which meant satin and taffeta evening dresses, tuxedos, blazers-all leaning against walls, sitting on the ground or the steps, eating sandwiches, fruit, and candy! Even the girls were grateful for our washable, comfortable uniforms! After the concert, there was a wonderful party complete with folk dancing and audience participation in a beautiful reception hall.

Friday was competition day, but we went sightseeing first, back to the old city. Then we returned to the hotel to get dressed. We waited in a classroom in the Marsarykova Skola for our turn. The senior girls showed their leadership by giving a pep talk to the Choir, and we all responded with the silent cheer; be sure to have your daughter demonstrate, because that "pump it up" gesture became a hallmark. No one was allowed to be in the competition room with the choir, but Carlene Kidwell turned pages for Penny, so she heard, and Charlene and I had our ears pressed to the door in the hall. You would have been proud! They sang well! And they knew it; they felt good about their performance.

After the competition, we went back to Prague, where our super guides, Karel and Michaela, showed us more of the lovely city. Many puppets were bought, and when we met at the Jan Hus statue, it was fun to see all the girls learning to make them walk. We took the subway back to the hotel, but we were too late to make the connecting bus. Some of my favorite memories of this trip concern this night. First, there were many groups who had had the same idea, and the bus stop was crowded with Americans and Czechs, all waiting for a later bus, which would not contain us all. About three of the Czechs were young men who had been drinking, and they were quite interested in our girls. Picture an elephant herd protecting its young; that's what we looked like, as all the girls went to the center of the circle formed instantly by the adults, all of whom were facing out. This happened instantly, with no discussion or comment from anyone! Then Karel told the guys to take off, or the equivalent in Czech, and things were back to normal. However, we still had no bus! After some discussion, Karel, Michaela, and I decided that we had best walk to the hotel, a matter of about 15 or 20 minutes. Karel knew the way and knew shortcuts. I had a flashlight in the ever-present green bag, and so we took off, on sidewalks, across fields, through construction sites, across empty highways. Imagine my face when I stood in the middle of a four-lane, watching as the girls crossed, only to see that the Minnesota choir and another choir were also following Karel! I asked Roy Masterson to videotape the sight of about 200 people streaming across the highway, all following us! Fortunately, Karel did know the way, and we were back in the hotel in about 15 minutes-we and our followers!

Saturday meant more rehearsals at the Marsarykova Skola. Have your daughter describe that school for you. I suspect she has a new respect for the amenities in her own school. Particularly ask her about the blackboard, the lockers, and about the chairs (or lack thereof) in the auditorium! By this time, some girls were so tired they literally fell asleep in the rehearsals. At the concert for the competition winners that night, our girls understood why the South African Choir and the Singing Sons of Florida had won. As one told me, "They were great, just great! I feel good to have been able to be compared to them. I know we can be that good if we work at it, and so that gives us something to shoot for."

Sunday the girls sang the mass at St. Antonin's Church in Prague; the Church was overflowing, and the girls sounded great. Afterward, the congregation encircled the choir as they stood on the steps, singing. Ed taught the audience to clap in rhythm to "The Storm is Passing Over," and they loved it. There were several children under five who stood next to Ed while he conducted; one little boy about three was quite enthralled. Ed picked him up and helped him conduct; what a smile resulted! Afterward, the little boy took a bow with the girls.

We went back to rehearse again for the big concert at Smetana Hall that afternoon. Smetana is named after a famous Czech composer, and it had only recently been refurbished. The building is astounding in its beauty; every room is more elegant than the next. After the concert, which again was well-attended, there was an extravagant party there for all the participants. That's where your daughters exchanged names and addresses with others from different choirs, danced, ate, and in general had a glorious time.

Monday brought us to Budapest, where we really enjoyed ourselves, free from the pressures of competing and rehearsing. We visited a castle outside of Budapest, complete with torture chamber and a magnificent view; a Basillica, the center of Catholicism in Europe, where the girls sang to the tourists; a little Medieval town, shops of all sorts lining the cobblestone streets, where more souvenirs were bought, especially embroidery; Heroes Square, which features statues of kings of Hungary who have resisted invasions (poor Hungary, invaded over and over for its strategic location on the river, and always losing, recovering, and then being invaded again); and old town Budapest itself. The Seniors had their night out in Budapest at a jazz café with Ed and Sharon. Finally, we went to the Catholic Youth Center to meet the Cantate Choir, members of whom we had hosted in Chattanooga several years ago. The Cantate Choir, led by Ferenc Sampscon, is fabulous. Each choir sang, and we learned that rhythmical clapping is the Hungarian equivalent to a standing ovation! The most fun was when Ed and our girls taught the Hungarian choir and their director how to dance to "Siyahumba," just as the South African Choir had taught us. Even Maestro Sampscon tried it, and their choir members couldn't believe he could smile, let alone move! There was a reception for us, and then we returned to hotel for Skit Night, a Girls Choir tradition.

I am sure you realize that the trip did have its frustrations -- not enough buses, buses that weren't big enough to hold us and our equipment (ask Randy Ford about his trip to Budapest escorting our equipment; in fact, ask if he can play the piano!), heat, rehearsals that were too long, delays. We even had some discipline problems, which the Board had to handle upon our return. But all of that has already faded for me. Prague and Budapest are now wonderful memories, as I hope they are for your daughter.

Affectionately, Sara

Last update: 9/19/99

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