UBC University Singers and their Incantato Barcelona adventure: Sunday 24th

A Sunday in Barcelona can be fulfilled in many different ways, and there is so many options that it can be confusing.. unless you are in great hands that show you, assist you and help you like Rosalía, our Incantato Tour Manager, who loves the UBC University Singers.

Picasso design at the Cathedral Square, Barcelona Incantato

Sunday morning started with a walking tour through the Gothic quarter of Barcelona: the imposing Cathedral and its cloister, San Jaume square and the Generalitat Palace, the medieval royal castle and of course the taste and uniqueness of a wonderfully preserved middle age quarter, with roman foundations, that host a variety of handicrafts, art, antiques, chocolates and pastry shops. All this to end up at Santa María del Pi Church, a 13th century jewel of the gothic arquitecture, with a wonderful rosewindow and very good acoustic, where UBC University Singers sang in the Main Holy Mass for an impressed public.

Santa María del Pi Church, Gothic Quarter, Barcelona

After this, the private motorcoach took the UBC Singers to the centrally located H10 Casanova Hotel, where they could get in normal clothes and get ready for many other options.

UBC University Singers: a wonderful smile!

After having visited already Montjuic, Park Güell, Borne and Gothic districts, Ramblas, Catalunya square, Passeig de Gracia, Sagrada Familia.. with local guide and Incantato Team, everyone was ready for the last afternoon in Barcelona.
Most of the group made it to the Picasso Museum, where they got free entrance. Others went for some food in local nice tapas spots, many went to the Barceloneta beach, or just did some good shopping at Ramblas and Borne districts.

The end of the day was happy and long: a dinner in the very famous "Segons Mercat", were Incantato has provided a wonderful tapas experience with local fresh products in a wide variety of warm tapas. There, the UBC University Singers, all looking great and dressed up, had a wonderful experience.

It was so moving also for Incantato Tour Manager Rosalía and their driver, to whom they performed some songs. There, the girls from UBC University Singers enyojed a "surprise" medley that the male section of the choir performed during dinner, which was prepared and kept in secret till the last moment.

The last day in Barcelona was another non-stop day, full of good moments, music and wonderful memories that will last forever.

For more pictures and updates, you can also check in our facebook by Incantato

UBC University Singers will make their way home tomorrow, and we will be missing them!

"Alegria!" Concierto Coral Marina HS Choir y Coro de Cámara del Conservatorio Prof de Música de Oviedo

Concierto Coral "Alegría"
El concierto, broche final del Programa de Intercambio entre ambas formaciones, incluirá obras corales de ejecución conjunta, como “Pastor que estás en el monte”, con arreglos de Manuel del Fresno y Luis Ruiz de la Peña, o “Yonder Day”, espiritual tradicional. Además, el Marina HS Choir interpretará un repertorio variado: desde el Renacimiento (Lasso, Moore…) y el Clásico (Mozart), hasta música zambia o de los años 50. El Coro de Cámara del Conservatorio Profesional de Música de Oviedo,dirigido por Juan M. Cue, interpretará también una selección de coros de la zarzuela barroca española, "Acis y Galatea" del compositor español Antonio Literes, obra cuya puesta en escena esta prevista para el próximo día mes de junio en el Teatro Filarmónica de Oviedo, dentro del proyecto Espacio Escénico del Conservatorio Profesional de Musica de Oviedo. El Marina HS Choir estará de Gira por España y Francia en el mes de abril de 2012. En esta gira organizada por Incantato, ofrecerá también recitales en París, Burgos y Madrid. El Coro, integrado por 20 cantantes del Programa de Música de la Marina HS de California, está dirigido por el Maestro Eric Graham. El Instituto Marina HS tiene un reconocido programa de formación musical, y sus siete agrupaciones corales ofrecen anualmente un amplio programa de conciertos, habiendo actuado en la prestigiosa Golden State Choral Competition, en San Francisco, Nueva York, Seattle, Vancouver, Victoria, además de varios Festivales corales. (CSULB Chamber Invitational, Chapman Invitational, USC Chamber Invitational, Cerritos College Festival, Riverside Community College Festivals). , incluirá obras corales de ejecución conjunta, como “Pastor que estás en el monte”, con arreglos de Manuel del Fresno y Luis Ruiz de la Peña, o “Yonder Day”, espiritual tradicional. Además, el Marina HS Choir interpretará un repertorio variado: desde el Renacimiento (Lasso, Moore…) y el Clásico (Mozart), hasta música zambia o de los años 50. El Coro de Cámara del Conservatorio Profesional de Música de Oviedo,dirigido por Juan M. Cue, interpretará también una selección de coros de la zarzuela barroca española, "Acis y Galatea" del compositor español Antonio Literes, obra cuya puesta en escena esta prevista para el próximo día mes de junio en el Teatro Filarmónica de Oviedo, dentro del proyecto Espacio Escénico del Conservatorio Profesional de Musica de Oviedo. El Marina HS Choir estará de Gira por España y Francia en el mes de abril de 2012. En esta gira organizada por Incantato, ofrecerá también recitales en París, Burgos y Madrid. El Coro, integrado por 20 cantantes del Programa de Música de la Marina HS de California, está dirigido por el Maestro Eric Graham. El Instituto Marina HS tiene un reconocido programa de formación musical, y sus siete agrupaciones corales ofrecen anualmente un amplio programa de conciertos, habiendo actuado en la prestigiosa Golden State Choral Competition, en San Francisco, Nueva York, Seattle, Vancouver, Victoria, además de varios Festivales corales. (CSULB Chamber Invitational, Chapman Invitational, USC Chamber Invitational, Cerritos College Festival, Riverside Community College Festivals).

A glimpse of Spain during the holidays

As you know, Spain is one of Incantato's favorite destinations and in 2011, we proudly brought the University of Miami Frost Chorale to this wonderful country. Now let us share some holiday traditions with you: On December 22 almost everyone in Spain takes part in the Christmas Lottery, and prizes are celebrated in style out in the streets. Christmas Eve (December 24) and Christmas Day (December 25) brings families together. Traditional dishes such as lamb and sea bream are prepared, along with seasonal desserts such as turrón (rich sweet made with almonds), polvorones (crumbly shortbread) and marzipan. Many attend Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, to commemorate the birth of Jesus.

December 28,  the Day of the Santos Inocentes, where people play pranks on each other similar to those of April Fools’ Day. Novelty items purchased at street markets add to the entertainment. Bid farewell to the year with the New Year’s Eve celebrations on December 31. Tradition has it that you have to eat 12 grapes one by one, in time with the striking of the clock at midnight on December 31. If you manage to eat all the grapes on time, you are in for a year of prosperity and good luck. People  also gather at the clock towers in their towns or cities (usually found in the main square) to toast and welcome the new year. Puerta del Sol Square in Madrid is a popular place to spend New Year's Eve. Thousands of people decked out with hats and squawkers joyfully toast in the New Year. Celebrations continue throughout the night at hotels, bars and clubs throughout Spain.

Another tradition is found in Alcoy, where young and old alike anticipate Christmas and the arrival of the Three Wise Men with special excitement. On the Sunday before January 6 (Epiphany), a  children’s parade called “les Pastoretes” (the little shepherds) is held. Children dressed up as shepherds parade with their flocks to give gifts to the new-born Baby Jesus. Excitement builds until January 4 when the Royal Envoy reads a royal proclamation announcing the coming of Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar, The Envoy is accompanied by “les Burretes,” small donkeys that carry letterboxes where the children put their letters to the Three Wise Men.

Finally, when night falls on January 5, the Three Wise Men make their spectacular entry into Alcoy, riding camels and loaded with presents. Torch bearers (antorcheros) light the way as the Wise Men ride through the streets of the town. Christmas carols fill the air as the royal pages (“les negres”) hand out presents to the children.

Here are some links for additional information on:
Holiday traditions in Spain, New Year's Eve in Spain, the Three Wise Men visit 
In 2012, Incantato Tours is honored to be sending the Western Reserve Academy Choir and Ensemble to Spain as well as the Marina High School Touring Choir.