Great News - Award for Valerie

On Tuesday July 24, 11:30 am at Cape Spear National Park, the presentation of the Torch Bearer Award will be made to Dr. Valerie Long by the World Harmony Run organization, honouring her as this province's winner of this prestigious award and we invite you to attend and show her your support. "The Torch-bearer Award is an award which recognizes and honours individuals who have been of extraordinary inspiration and service to their communities". Valerie's work with HHMAC and Les MS is an indication of that inspiration to the community and we are proud to announce this award on her behalf.  

The international run will conclude at Cape Spear as the torch is passed and with a ceremonial run of 2 km to the finish line, and runners who wish to join are also invited to participate. T-shirts will be provided to all runners. Please email mrebidoux@mun.ca to register for the run and give her your size for the shirt. This is a public event so spread the word to your friends and colleagues. Runners are asked to meet at Victoria Park Day Camp at 10:30 to receive their shirts and, if you wish, you will be driven to the site of the run and then returned to Victoria Park at the end of the ceremony (approximately 12:00-12:30).

You will find a link to profiles of this year's Canadian recipients of the Torch-bearer award here:

http://www.worldharmonyrun.org/canada/torch_bearer/torch-bearer-awards-canada

Here is a link to a CBC (central NL) podcast where Valerie is interviewed regarding the Torch Bearer Award and she speaks about the Alta Pusteria Festival.

http://www.cbc.ca/centralmorning/

                                                             Congratulations, Valerie !!!!!!

Valerie with her Torch Bearer Award and the HHMAC
Cape Spear, NL July 24, 2012

HHMAC AND Coro Brinella from Genoa, Italy

Another lovely memory with our friends from Genoa, Italy (home of John Cabot).  Now they have two connections with Newfoundland !!!!

Taken during the Alta Pusteria International Choir Festival
San Candido, Italy

You Tube - Alta Pusteria International Choir Festival

Here is a link to a video tape posted on YouTube of the 15th Alta Pusteria International Choir Festival Parade, San Candido, Italy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1Mqr0maS14

HHMAC was very visible in our red and with our Canadian umbrellas. What a proud bunch we were that day, carrying our Canadian flag and our HHMAC banner.

Hello from Coro Brinella, Genova, Italy

Here is an email that was sent to one of our choir members along with a picture of the choir Coro Brinella from Genova, Italy. Paula has translated their correspondence into English for us.

The choir wrote in Italian:

Buongiorno Paula e buongiorno a tutto il vostro coro,
vi ringraziamo molto per le foto che ci avete inviato, sono veramente belle. La nostra l'abbiamo già pubblicata su facebook. Anche a noi ha fatto molto piacere conoscervi al Festival in Alta Pusteria, tutto è stato molto interessante e divertente. Credo che sul sito del Festival si potranno ascoltare le registrazioni dei concerti. Un grosso saluto da tutto il Coro Brinella.

Anna Prini (choir secretary)
And now in French:

Paula Bonjour et bonjour à tous de votre choeur,
Merci beaucoup pour les photos que vous nous avez envoyés, sont vraiment
très belles.  Nous avons déjà publié sur le Facebook.  Même pour nous a été très heureux de vous rencontrer lors du Festival à AltaPusteria, tout était très intéressant et amusant.  Je pense que le site du Festival peut être entendu des enregistrements  de concerts en direct.  Un grand bienvenue de partout dans le Chœur Brinella.
Anna Prini (choir secretary)

English translation:

Hello Paula and hello to all of the HHMAC.

It was very nice to meet you. Thank you for the beautiful picture. We posted it on our Facebook page.
We were very pleased to meet you all.

Anna Prini (choir secretary)

Here is a link to Coro Brinella's Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Coro-Brinella/141645269216235

Coro Brinella in San Candido
Alta Pusteria International Choir Festival
Choir formed in 1998 ( same as HHMAC)

Sunday - July 1 - Vienna, Austria

                                                                       Happy Canada Day !!!!! 

Sunday, July 1, 2012 was a VERY special and unique Canada Day for us. After yet ANOTHER wonderful breakfast we boarded our coaches to drive to Schonbrunn Palace. This palace is the summer residence of the Austrian Imperial family, the Haftburg's.  Maria Theresa (Empress of Austria) mothered 16 children with the most noted one being Marie Antoinette. This grand palace was the back drop for our Canada Day performance where tourists from many countries enjoyed our singing. Choir members handed out Canadian Flag pins and flags to various people who were in the courtyard.  One male tourist asked a choir member if all women in Canada are this beautiful? We'll let you answer that question!
After our performance we had a guided tour of the palace..... outstanding. A vision of grandeur and opulence! We were then treated to lunch with desserts to die for.

Back to the hotel for free time to pack and prepare for the long journey back home.

Many Thanks from Your Bloggers

We said our final good-byes to Austria and this tour. And now a final good-bye from your bloggers. We hope you enjoyed this blog as much as we have enjoyed sharing our experiences with you.

Saturday - June 30 - Vienna, Austria

Saturday was a free day without a set itinerary where we were greeted to a wonderful cool day of 37 degrees Celsius. Everybody explored Vienna on their own. Some returned to the Old Town or Mariahilferstrasse for more retail therapy.... Last Call for Souvenirs.

The most special part of Saturday was the Farewell Dinner at Buschenschank und Weingut Wolff where we were served a delicious Austrian Heuriger featuring locally produced Hengl wines and traditional cuisine. We were entertained by a local violinist and accordion player who enlivened our evening with many well known melodies. We needed little encouragement to join in and add our rendition of each chorus. Did we mention that the free flowing wine assisted in our exuberance.....

While waiting for the bus we performed another flash mob of Fare Thee Well and Jack while local diners video taped our performance. What a wild ride home on the coaches.

Friday - June 29- Vienna, Austria

We woke yet to another breakfast buffet (Yes we were eating again !!!) After a hearty breakfast we boarded our coaches for a bus and walking tour of the beautiful city of Vienna (population 1.5 million people). We viewed the grand buildings on the Ringstrasse, the colorful facade of Hundert Wasser village, the maginificent Hofburg Palace, St. Stephen's Cathedral with its soaring spire (located in the centre of Vienna) and Figarohaus (where Mozart lived when he composed Marriage of Figaro).

Later that day we toured the Vienna State Opera House, the soul of Vienna. We were treated to a guided tour of this wonderful building which was originally opened in 1869 with the performance of Mozart's Don Giovanni. We were able to have a glimpse of backstage where many great performers have walked before.

In the evening we were treated to a performance of the Vienna Mozart Orchestra in the magnificent Golden Hall. The orchestra performed in historical costumes of Mozart's era. Much to our delight, in such a formal setting, the audience was engaged from the direction of the conductor. We were clapping in time to Mozart and Strauss.... unbelievable and most enjoyable. This conductor had the audience participating very much like our own Valerie Long.

Home to bed and looking forward to our next day.

Thursday - June 28, Vienna, Austria

We said good-bye to Salzburg and boarded our coaches en route to Vienna. We made a detour to Melk which included a guided tour of the Abbey. Unfortunately, just as we arrved the bells tolled and the monks were called to prayer, so not a Monk in sight!!! So, we explored the Abbey and viewed the living quarters of the Imperialist and the magnificent library of the Monks. From the top of the Abbey we got our first glimpse of the Danube River. The Abbey is still inhabitat by 30 monks, however has been home to anywhere from 8 to 90 monks.
After the tour we boarded our coaches and took a 5 minute ride to the Danube River Station where we departed on a one way cruise from Melk to Krems. This route was included in the UNESCO World Heritage list for its exceptional beauty and we were not disappointed. Highlights along the route included a dramatic view of Melk Abbey from river level, the Schonbuhel Castle and the town of Durnstein with its blue tower. This cruise lasted approximately 90 minutes and the temperature  was a balmy 32 degrees celsius. Needless to say a lot of sunscreen was used and yes you guessed it......... beer and wine was a necessity. Cheers !!!

We disembarked the river boat and were whisked away to the Mercure Vienna Westbahnhof hotel were we were to spend our last 4 nights.