Thirty one members of the Kickapoo High School Choirs have spent a week in Italy together. We’ve toured great Cathedrals and Basilicas together, seen great works of art, music and literature, cities that predate the founding of our own by country by hundreds to thousands of years. We’ve eaten in restaurants where ordering food was as difficult as understanding what we were eating. Our students rehearsed great music with other musicians from around the United States under the direction of Dr. LaBarr from Missouri State University. They have sung in Cathedrals in Orvieto and Siena as well as the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi and St. Peter in Vatican City. 

It’s been a lot of action, learning, moving, packed into a week in a foreign land. Now, as you look back over your pictures, journals, and memories of this week please remember what made this all possible. You may think of Dr. LaBarrs' development of the festival and conducting. You may consider Mr. Cornelius’ effort in putting the trip together. You put in work in the end of the school year with Mr. Nimmo on the music. Perform Internationals wonderful planning. Your parents, or yourself, having the financial ability to pay for the experience. None of these people can take credit though, to do so is a swing and miss. Please understand that those people, events, and financial components are only the tools that made things happen. Like building a great Cathedral they are the tools and workers who built it but without the stone and marble they have nothing. 

 MUSIC is what made this experience possible, and nothing more. Like building a Cathedral cannot happen without the stone and marble your experience here could not have happened without MUSIC. It is your learning of a craft and dedication to singing that brought this opportunity to you. Without MUSIC this would have been a simple sight seeing tour and you would have seen the great places and things that you saw. With MUSIC you experienced these places and things in a way that others can not. It will be hard for you to fathom that others do not understand when you explain your experiences here, even those who’ve been here themselves, because MUSIC sets your experience apart. MUSIC will continue to open doors to experiences for you the rest of your life if you allow it. 

Thank you for allowing us to share this musical experience with you and never stop singing. 

Arrivederci,

Mr. Cornelius

Well here we are at the end of another amazing trip. We are all have had a great time but we are ready for home, free water, and large cups of coffee. 

Today was another busy day. We started after breakfast with a tour of the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. All three were amazing. We were not able to take pictures in the Sistine Chapel. Japan actually owns the copyrights for this chapel so they have banned any photography, instead you can buy it in the gift shop. Pictures were allowed in the other two. When going through St. Peter's, we learned that there are no paintings in this building. Everything that was created on the ceilings and walls were done with mosaics so color won't fade and pictures are permitted. 

After our tours we broke out into groups. Some decided to go have lunch and do some shopping, some wanted to take more time in the Basilica, and a large group of us went to the top of the dome of the Basilica. Most walked the 551 steps to the top to get a panoramic view of Rome. The first stop was half way up and a view on the inside of the dome to the Basilica below. The second stop was the top and outside for the views. Breathtaking views and even though it was 5:30 am at home, some kids took the opportunity to call or FaceTime with their families from the top. Then another 551 steps to the bottom. 

After returning to the hotel for a short break and to freshen up, we loaded up and headed to city center of Rome. There we did a walking tour with our tour guide Luca to see the Pantheon, the Trevei Fountain (throwing a coin from your right hand over your left shoulder into the fountain means you will one day return to Rome), and the Spanish steps (actually a gift from France for people to travel to church). Shopping in an upscale neighborhood was also enjoyed during this time.

Dinner tonight was another 3 course meal of pasta, salad, pork, potatoes, and fruit for dessert at Restaurant Re Deli Amici in city center. Then off to the hotel for one last night. 

The kids have been great. We have received many compliments from people on how polite they were and how prepared they were with the music. This has truly been an experience of a lifetime for these kids and the chaperones.

Tomorrow we head home. See you soon Springfield!
Caio, 
Kristin 

Good evening from Assisi! Unfortunately we have limited access to internet so I will update the blog when I can. Between the access and just pure exhaustion last night, I will catch you up now on the past 72 hours.

We left KHS at 4:30 am Saturday morning to begin this amazing adventure and it has been just that.

Arriving at the KC airport at 7:30, we got checked in, baggage checked and through security with ease. Had a bite to eat, loaded the airplane, and had a very quiet and comfortable ride to Atlanta before loading again at 3:20 for a very LONG but uneventful flight landing us in Rome at 7:40 am Sunday morning (12:40 am Springfield time). Most of us took some short naps on the plane to prepare for the days ahead.

By the time we got through passport checkpoints and baggage claim, we met our tour guide Luca and boarded the bus, off for a day of Italian adventures.

Our first stop was a small town called Orvieto. Many towns in Italy are built at the top of large hills and rocks which made it hard to attack and Orvieto is just one of these examples. To access the town, we had to leave the bus, take a 2 minute tram ride up the mountain before boarding a shuttle bus to take us to the top. We spent a couple of hours exploring this ancient city and giving an impromptu concert at the Duomo di Orvieto (Duomo - cathedral, di - of, Orvieto).

After boarding the bus again, we headed for the hotel, freshened up and headed out for dinner at Stalla di Assisi. Here in Italy they traditionally serve 3 course dinners, the first being a pasta dish, the second is your meat or fish and vegetable, followed by dessert or fruit. Last night we started with a large piece of lasagna, followed by salad, chicken, and panini sandwiches, then a dish of rich chocolate pudding for dessert.  We were full. We were happy. We were exhausted!

Day one wrapped up with time at the hotel, many enjoying a beautiful panoramic view of Assisi from the hotel decks then off to bed for a good night sleep.

Day 2 started with a buffet breakfast at the hotel and back on the bus at 9. Today we have discovered the city of Siena enjoying a guided tour including the ancient Siena Cathedral which included a room of original musical manuscripts of Gregorian Chants. The architecture and paintings these cathedrals are amazing!

We spent free time in Siena for lunch, shopping, and exploring the beautiful city full of ancient architecture and stories.

Tonight concluded with dinner at the hotel where we joined 3 other choirs here for the festival including Dr. Cameron LaBarr and Missouri State as well as Ivo Antognini who is the composer of several of the pieces the choir will be performing this week. Some of the kids headed to the swimming pool after dinner while others play games or just sit and socialize.

It has been an extremely exhausting day but filled with so many stories and memories made. For those of you who have never been to Italy, it is exactly how you picture it. The ancient buildings, the narrow streets, it is all exactly like you see in pictures and movies. It is absolutely beautiful!

Tomorrow is another fun filled day and I look forward to updating the blog as soon as I can. Until then, know that all the kids (and adults) are having a wonderful time and are exhausted by day’s end. Another great group of kids to travel with from KHS!

Day 2 pictures still need to be loaded. You can catch us live on Facebook when we perform as we are able to record. Watch The Kickapoo Choir on Facebook!

Buona Notte (Good night),
Kristin Cornelius