Voca Lyrica... Down Under
Up and Down the River
By Cathy Johnson
This should really be subtitled “Up and Down the Globe” as an intrepid 48 travelers from the continental United States ventured from the Northern Hemisphere (up) to the Southern Hemisphere (down) in what can only be titled “The Voca Lyrica Odyssey,” albeit the condensed version.
“An intoxicating evening of choral artistry,” opined Virginia Kerwin, when asked for her response to the experience of performing in the Sydney Opera House on July 3, 2007. What words can describe the feeling of your own group’s individual performance on that famed stage, coupled with the finale where we joined voices to form a chorus of over 500 voices. Surely it was an opportunity that comes along once in a lifetime.
Unique in all the world, one of the most recognizable buildings ever designed, the Sydney Opera House, which was our goal and our destination, did not disappoint. The soaring roofline pointing up to the heavens, the expanses of windows with their incomparable views of Sydney’s gorgeous harbor, the ambiance of the performance space – it tends to render one at a loss for words. Who along on the trip did NOT take at least one photo of this famed building?
Spending time with all of the singers, spouses, traveling companions and supporters was a fun thing to do, but one sub-group was a bit unique. My complete set of siblings made the Australia trip, and each one played a special role in the “production.” My sister Barb White “joined” Voca Lyrica for this concert expedition, sister Ann Applegate volunteered her considerable talents as group accompanist, sister JoAnn Bugbee was pressed into service as Ann’s page turner, and brother Tony, who took a “memorable” photograph of Voca Lyrica in New York, looked to repeat his feat in Sydney. Husbands Monte Johnson and Phil White completed the “family excursion,” definitely a trip to be long remembered.
The Land Down Under did not disappoint. From the disconcert of having traffic coming at you from the “wrong” way,” to the wonder of seeing evergreen trees right next to palm trees, add the unfailingly polite and upbeat Aussie attitude – “G’day” and “No worries, mate” - always spoken with that enchanting lilt, Australia is a place most of us would visit again, in spite of the 14-hour flight, to see the rest of what this delightful country has to offer.
Rarely do you get 48 people to agree on anything, much less to travel harmoniously together for 11 days. Guess what? We did. Granted it wasn’t total harmony as there were a few “timing” issues, but what musical group doesn’t experience those? Just follow Denise’s directions, get on “the coach” and we’ll be off, particularly if there’s “retail therapy” on the itinerary!
An A+ perfect trip? Of course not. There were travel delays for a number of the group, some late luggage (see below) for several others, a purse theft, and a death in the family which necessitated an early return for one couple, but overall, when you consider all that could have happened and didn’t, the overall grade is pretty good. Ask any of us about the difference between Qantas Airlines and U.S. domestic carriers, and you’ll get an earful!
L is for luggage. And oh, how wonderful it is to have your luggage arrive at your destination when you do. The lesson learned here? Listen to the director: “Pack your music, your duster and your top hat (a prop) in your carry-on. Everything else is replaceable at our destination.” Truer words were never spoken. When three of us (finally) arrived in Sydney and our checked luggage didn’t, we needed black tops and pants to wear under our dusters. And the sisters of Voca Lyrica came through with extras from their suitcases and….the show went on.
Indigenous people in both Australia and New Zealand were a source of great fascination and wonder to all of us. The didgeridoo music of the Aboriginal culture and the chants of the Maori people spoke to our musical souls and became an integral part of our visit “down under.” Not just CD’s came back with us, but a couple of didgeridoos, too, with the firm conviction of “I am going to learn to play this” as soon as I learn circular breathing!
And New Zealand….for the final three days of our odyssey. What beautiful landscape, what welcoming people, what a captivating experience of a traditional Hangi dinner, cooked the traditional way using geothermal steam! It was delicious, and thanks to Chief Bill, we got to enjoy it! Our time in New Zealand (and Australia) was all too short, but it was still “the trip of a lifetime” and a privilege to represent Big Rapids, Michigan, and the USA in Voca Lyrica’s odyssey “down under.”
**********************
About the author: Cathy (Brakora) Johnson is a lifelong resident of Big Rapids. She is ready to embark upon her 34th year of teaching at Big Rapids High School and considers it a privilege to be a member of Voca Lyrica.
By Cathy Johnson
This should really be subtitled “Up and Down the Globe” as an intrepid 48 travelers from the continental United States ventured from the Northern Hemisphere (up) to the Southern Hemisphere (down) in what can only be titled “The Voca Lyrica Odyssey,” albeit the condensed version.
“An intoxicating evening of choral artistry,” opined Virginia Kerwin, when asked for her response to the experience of performing in the Sydney Opera House on July 3, 2007. What words can describe the feeling of your own group’s individual performance on that famed stage, coupled with the finale where we joined voices to form a chorus of over 500 voices. Surely it was an opportunity that comes along once in a lifetime.
Unique in all the world, one of the most recognizable buildings ever designed, the Sydney Opera House, which was our goal and our destination, did not disappoint. The soaring roofline pointing up to the heavens, the expanses of windows with their incomparable views of Sydney’s gorgeous harbor, the ambiance of the performance space – it tends to render one at a loss for words. Who along on the trip did NOT take at least one photo of this famed building?
Spending time with all of the singers, spouses, traveling companions and supporters was a fun thing to do, but one sub-group was a bit unique. My complete set of siblings made the Australia trip, and each one played a special role in the “production.” My sister Barb White “joined” Voca Lyrica for this concert expedition, sister Ann Applegate volunteered her considerable talents as group accompanist, sister JoAnn Bugbee was pressed into service as Ann’s page turner, and brother Tony, who took a “memorable” photograph of Voca Lyrica in New York, looked to repeat his feat in Sydney. Husbands Monte Johnson and Phil White completed the “family excursion,” definitely a trip to be long remembered.
The Land Down Under did not disappoint. From the disconcert of having traffic coming at you from the “wrong” way,” to the wonder of seeing evergreen trees right next to palm trees, add the unfailingly polite and upbeat Aussie attitude – “G’day” and “No worries, mate” - always spoken with that enchanting lilt, Australia is a place most of us would visit again, in spite of the 14-hour flight, to see the rest of what this delightful country has to offer.
Rarely do you get 48 people to agree on anything, much less to travel harmoniously together for 11 days. Guess what? We did. Granted it wasn’t total harmony as there were a few “timing” issues, but what musical group doesn’t experience those? Just follow Denise’s directions, get on “the coach” and we’ll be off, particularly if there’s “retail therapy” on the itinerary!
An A+ perfect trip? Of course not. There were travel delays for a number of the group, some late luggage (see below) for several others, a purse theft, and a death in the family which necessitated an early return for one couple, but overall, when you consider all that could have happened and didn’t, the overall grade is pretty good. Ask any of us about the difference between Qantas Airlines and U.S. domestic carriers, and you’ll get an earful!
L is for luggage. And oh, how wonderful it is to have your luggage arrive at your destination when you do. The lesson learned here? Listen to the director: “Pack your music, your duster and your top hat (a prop) in your carry-on. Everything else is replaceable at our destination.” Truer words were never spoken. When three of us (finally) arrived in Sydney and our checked luggage didn’t, we needed black tops and pants to wear under our dusters. And the sisters of Voca Lyrica came through with extras from their suitcases and….the show went on.
Indigenous people in both Australia and New Zealand were a source of great fascination and wonder to all of us. The didgeridoo music of the Aboriginal culture and the chants of the Maori people spoke to our musical souls and became an integral part of our visit “down under.” Not just CD’s came back with us, but a couple of didgeridoos, too, with the firm conviction of “I am going to learn to play this” as soon as I learn circular breathing!
And New Zealand….for the final three days of our odyssey. What beautiful landscape, what welcoming people, what a captivating experience of a traditional Hangi dinner, cooked the traditional way using geothermal steam! It was delicious, and thanks to Chief Bill, we got to enjoy it! Our time in New Zealand (and Australia) was all too short, but it was still “the trip of a lifetime” and a privilege to represent Big Rapids, Michigan, and the USA in Voca Lyrica’s odyssey “down under.”
**********************
About the author: Cathy (Brakora) Johnson is a lifelong resident of Big Rapids. She is ready to embark upon her 34th year of teaching at Big Rapids High School and considers it a privilege to be a member of Voca Lyrica.