Fulminant Finale for COTS in Caldiero - Standing ovations in a very packed church

The Choir of the Sound ended its 2007 Performance Tour to Italy with a brilliant concert in the Duomo di Caldiero. With 500 people tightly seated in the pews and at least another 100 people standing in the back and even outside, the church was packed.

Singing as part of a local choir festival was quite an experience, especially after the Canadian Children’s Choir who was supposed to be featured third, showed up late. “It was an adventure singing with the Italian choirs”, director Judy Filibeck said afterwards. “They sang with great enthusiasm and welcomed us warmly.” Their voices filled the church several times over, and rumor has it that they could even be heard all over town. However, COTS showed how Italian they had become over the last few days and the audience truly appreciated being introduced to a truly fine choir. Again, the 52 singers from Seattle, WA moved the locals by singing beautiful music and ending with spirituals. The fulminant finale was a joined performance of “Signore alle Cime” with all 190 chorists surrounding the audience and many Italians singing along. The priest was not the only one with tears in his eyes, and once again a lot of the guests came up to thank Judy and the singers personally and complimented them on their concert. Local officials, including the Lord Mayor of Caldiero, presented COTS with several awards, repeatedly congratulated them for their performance and expressed their appreciation for the quality of the choir.

The long night – it was almost midnight then - concluded with an unexpected farewell snack in the parish hall consisting of pasta, panini and local wine. After saying goodbye to the kind local hosts who were thrilled to have a group come all the way from the US to their small town, the group gave a last impromptu concert for their tour managers Angelica and Ruah, the bus drivers Adriano and Graziano and Sandra from Incantato Concert Management.

While 30 singers continue their journey to Rome for a few more days on an extension tour, the majority of the group headed back to the US on July 4. Sleep deprived, but “molto contento”
“Our tour was a magnificent experience we will all remember for the rest of their lives”, said Judy Filibeck. “It will be hard going back to our American performance venues after singing in these amazing cathedrals.”

We hope you enjoy the following video clips (as they become available) from the COTS concert in Caldiero:
"Daniel"
"Signore"
"City of Heaven"
"Nata Lux"

Grande Finale for COTS - Choir performs at Duomo di Caldiero on July 3

Tonight, the Choir of the Sound performs at the Duomo di Caldiero.

The 52 singers directed by Judy Filibeck are the headliner for the highlight concert in the Soave Choir Festival. The Seattle group is a special guest of the Coro Città di Soave who is very much looking forward to meet them. The concert will also feature the Oakville Children Choir and the Coro Polifonico di Caldiera.

After a morning at leisure in Verona, COTS is now heading to Soave for a guided visit of a local cantina and some wine tasting followed by a joined rehearsal with the three other choirs. One of many highlights will be the performance of the Italian classic "Signore" by all four choirs under the direction of Mrs. Filibeck.

The day will conclude with a fun farewell buffet al fresco where all singers, their family and friends have an opportunirty to mingle, meet and enjoy local specialties together.

Tuscan Farewell Fun - Ruah sings for COTS

After exploring Cinque Terre on a full-day bus-boat excursion, the Choir of the Sound bid farewell to Tuscany where the group stayed for four nights on their 2007 Performance Tour to Italy with a fun feast on a agriturismo in high up on the hill in Monsummano Terme on July 1. Local specialties were served in the picturesque farm house and everybody had a great time.

As a special treat, Incantato Concert Management had engaged COTS tour manager Ruah who is also a renowned performer to give a short concert for the group from Seattle, WA. The passionate Italian singer and composer presented several folk songs and enchanted her audience with both her wonderful voice and powerful presentation. A guest of the choir was so moved that she composed a poem about the experience:

Orange Moon over Tuscany

Ruah singing romantic songs
melancholic nostalgic
people listening in awe
couples embracing
each other
everybody breathlessly
quiet now
even those
who laughed so loudly
before
nobody seems to be tired
though it was such
a long hard day
no escape from
the unyielding sun
so very very hot
the rocks hard and cruel
up and down
on swinging rails
watch your step
into the boats
held by sunburnt men
an endless path
into nowhere
seemingly
where on earth are we going
turned out it was all worth it
an estate like a fairytale
a fabulous dinner
now this unique concert
what a surprise

softer and softer
her beautiful singing…

Enjoy this short recording of Ruah's performance at Collina Toscana and join in the group's fun when this very talented performer talks about "Siena Serenades".