Hodonín, Czech Republic

Saturday, May 30, 2015

On Saturday, May 30, the Concert Choir arrived in the charming city of Hodonín, located in the Maravian region of Czech Republic. Known for its wine production and folk traditions, Hodonín was the birthplace of T. G. Masaryk, the first President of the Czechoslovak state. It was also the home of Gustav Mahler for several years.

Representatives from the choir were warmly welcomed at a reception with the town’s Vice-Mayor, Mr. Salajka, and the town’s Public Relations Deputy, Mr. Holûsek.

The evening’s concert took place at the Church of St. Lawrence, and was very well attended by people from the area.

Church of St. Lawrence, Hodonín, Czech Republic

Fountain on the square in Hodonín

L to R: LeeArron Klosterman, Dr. Roderick George, Dr. Melinda Doyle, Vice-Mayor Mr. Salajka, Public Relations Deputy Mr. Holusek, Calliope Pettis, Blane Freeman, Jesus Loyola, Sami Anselmo

 Following the concert, the choir enjoyed a three-course meal with a Folklore Dinner Show at the Templars’ Cellars in Čejkovice. We continued on to Budapest, Hungary today, after a brief stop in beautiful Bratislava, Slovakia.  While in Bratislava, the choir enjoyed free time to eat some of the local food and shop for handmade souvenirs.

Our first stop upon arrival in Budapest was the Hungarian State Opera House, where we were given a guided tour of the beautiful venue. Some choir members were fortunate enough to purchase tickets to the evening performance of Faust. Others returned to the hotel where we enjoyed a three course meal and some down time after several days of travel, sightseeing, and performing.

A Full Day in Prague

The Concert Choir had a very long Friday in Prague, starting with a walking tour of Prague Castle, which is the official residence of the President of Czech Republic. Montevallo students got the incredible experience to sing several pieces in the vast and ancient St. Vitus Cathedral.

In the evening, the choir gave a joint performance with Antifona Prague Youth Choir in historic Hlahol Concert Hall. After the performance, students exchanged thanks and several even established contacts for future visits to the city. The day ended with a river cruise along the Vltava. Just as the group was disembarking the vessel a strong rain shower passed through the city, drenching the entire group. Several minutes after finding shelter under a large structure the students began impromptu singing. One could say the choir gave a second informal performance to end the day!

The choir will leave Prague tomorrow for a long bus ride to the border town of Hodonín, which is situated in the southeast corner of Czech Republic. Check our blog again for updates!

Itinerary

Tomorrow is the day!

Excitement is high as we prepare for our trip. Choir members returned to Montevallo yesterday for final rehearsals before our Wednesday evening departure from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, GA.

Below is a brief outline of our itinerary:

Wednesday - Thursday, May 27 & 28:

• 11:17 p.m. - departure from Atlanta on Delta flight #84, arriving at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris at 2:00 p.m. (local time)
• 6:15 p.m. - departure from Air France flight #1582 arriving at Prague Ruzyne International Airport at 7:50 p.m.
• Hotel: Motel 1

Friday, May 29 - Prague

• Tours: Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Town Square
• Concert: Hlahol Concert Hall
• Dinner cruise on the Vlatava River

Saturday, May 30 - Hodonin

• Travel to Hodonin 
• Concerts: Spa Amphitheater (informal) Church of St. Lawrence (hotel)
• Folklore Dinner Show

Sunday,  May 21 - Budapest

• Travel to Budapest via Bratislava
• Tour of Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest
• Hotel: Lion's Garden Hotel

Monday, June 1 - Budapest

• Guided Tour of Budapest
• Concert: Belvarosi Szent Mihaly Templom (formal)

Tuesday, June 2 - Vienna

• Travel to Vienna via Eisenstadt
• Tour Mozarthaus and Haus der Musik
• Explore City Center
• Hotel: Star Inn Hotel Wien Schonbrunn

Wednesday, June 3 - Vienna

• Guided tour of Vienna 
• Concert: Peterkirche Wien (formal)
• Provide Service music for Holy Mass at Votivkirche

Thursday, June 4 - Vienna

• Tour Schonbrunn Palace 
• Concert: Imperial Chapel in Schonbrunn Palace (informal)

Friday, June 5 - HOME

• 10:05 a.m.:  Depart for Paris, Air France flight #1139; arrive 10: 05 a.m.
• 1:55 p.m.: Paris to Atlanta, Air France flight #668
• 5:10 p.m.: Arrive in Atlanta

WELCOME HOME!