The scenery on the drive to Sacramento went from snow storm to sunny and warm.
Forgive me, many nights I’m unable to get a recap of the night’s concert on the blog due to lack of internet. I apologize, but I usually have to wait until we get to the church to post it.
The choir performing in Medford, Oregon
Last night’s recap:
Though battling with a tough acoustic situation at Ascension Lutheran Church, the choir was able to deliver a relatively flawless performance last night in Medford, Oregon. The church wasn’t exactly ideal for a choir because the pews were padded and the floor and alter were carpeted, absorbing noise and leaving a “dead” sound. In addition, the stage setup was slightly different and the mediocre sounding piano was behind the choir, making it hard for them to hear. The concert was consistent with the stellar show in Junction City, but the lack of hardwood floors, small space and overflowing audience made for a completely different night. By belting their voices louder and creating a space in the middle for the piano to be heard, they worked with the space given and delivered an enjoyable show.
Half of the choir as they sing on the aisle in Medford, Oregon
In regards to the poor acoustics, Ryan Schmidt, music education and church music senior, said it “definitely made the sound a little different but Dr. Duffy was always reassuring us that yes, they can hear us and yes, they do like the sound.”
From the back of the church, it sounded like the concert improved and got louder with each set; like they acclimated to the acoustics with each song. Schmidt said the fourth set went very well and was actually one of the best yet.
The choir as they sing on a church aisle.
“The crowd was very appreciative of our concert last night. You could tell by the looks on their faces that they were kind of soaking the music in,” Schmidt said.
Schmidt said the church members, as well as the host families, have been very nice and hospitable throughout the tour.
“I think on this trip especially, they’re really kind of waiting for our arrival and excited to host the Grand View choir,” Schmidt said.
I’d have to agree. I thought maybe Misty, my roommate, and I had just been getting lucky with great host families. But I actually haven’t heard any bad stories about host families and everyone seems to be pretty content with who they stay with.
Funny story – With the exception of last night, every host family we’ve stayed with has offered Misty and I pickled food. Pickled asparagus, pickled mushrooms, pickled herring, sweet pickles and homemade pickles (boy did those have a kick! You should have seen my face as I ate mine). It’s been quite the pickled trip for us!
Last night we stayed with Bruce and Jennette. We did not eat any form of pickles. We did, however, have the honor of looking through a very thick book of fly-fishing bait that Bruce lent us for the night. Because I’m a photographer, he figured I’d love the up-close and personal shots of bugs. I’m guessing no one else from the choir had the opportunity we did.
Anyway, we sure aren’t the only ones with great host families.
Sarah Jacobs, journalism sophomore, said, “They’ve all been really nice and really welcoming. It’s so cool to see that there are people that are open enough to take us into their homes and provide for us when we don’t necessarily have the means to do it ourselves.”
As I sat on the bus this morning watching the rain hit the window, I watched as Michael Tallman and Leif Strandskov said goodbye to their host family. They gave the bouncy second grade girl and her mom a hug before loading the bus. When Michael got on the bus, he showed everyone a picture the little girl drew for him. It said, “I heart singing, I heart music.” This is the same girl that sat in the front row, eyes tied to the choir for the entire 22-song set. This got me thinking, what an awesome experience for such a passionate girl. She got to watch an amazing choir perform and stay with two of the coolest, most eccentric guys in the choir. She will remember that forever. This makes me smile.
Michael Tallman with the picture a girl in his host family drew for him.
In other news:
• The Medford audience had three Grand View alumni. During intermission, I asked them to gather for a photo. Noticing they all looked to be around the same age, I asked if they knew each other. Shaking their head no, they introduced themselves. Turned out they all knew each other.
The Grand View Alumni in Medford, Oregon
• Michael Tallman is leading “Iowa Trivia” with 137 points. Matt Martz is in second with 90 points. Rachel is in third with 52 points.
Matt Martz raises his hand to answer a question in "Iowa Trivia." He is currently in second place.
• Monica Bollenbaugh is still nursing a cold/sinus issues but still delivers an amazing duet with Saul Schlegel, her boyfriend, at the end of “Hark I Hear the Harps Eternal”. I feel like they should be in a movie.
Monica Bollenbaugh and Saul Schlegal sing their duet at the end of the concert.
• Sarah Jacobs' mother and stepfather are in town to see the choir perform.
• Michael Tallman's grandparents are here for service as well.
• I like the song “Battle of Jericho” more and more and more and more every time I hear it. What a fabulous job the choir does with this song, as well as Dolli Pinegar hitting the high notes with perfection every time.
Our bus driver, Arnie, stays for every performance of the tour. He has been driving the choir bus on spring tour for longer than Dr. Duffy has been choir director. I'm still trying to talk him into letting me interview him.
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