Canada in October 2008

This past October, with changing leaves and falling temperatures, the St. Andrew’s Academy Choir was heading north on another tour. And not just any tour. This one made a few firsts for the choir, who had been to the Southeast, to the southern West Coast, and in the Midwest. This tour included the Northwest of the United States, and Vancouver Island in Canada. Victoria, BC, was the furthest-away destination for this most recent trip, where the choir led evensong for about 300 people at the beautiful Church of our Lord, built in 1876.  The congregation seemed to enjoy the service, and the choir received many invitations to sing around the country. When not singing, the group toured Victoria, ate at a few local restaurants, and even got some studying in.

The choir also led services in Shoreline, Washington, a suburb of Seattle; in Portland; in Redding; and in Grant’s Pass, Oregon. At most locations, grandparents, cousins, siblings, parents and friends of the choristers who lived nearby joined the other congregants. Students and teachers alike were pleased to see far-away loved ones on this tour.

For the seniors on the trip, especially, Father Foos arranged some college visits. In Seattle, they toured Seattle Pacific University; Portland featured Multonomah University and Lewis and Clark College; and in Eugene, Oregon, they sat in on classes at Gutenberg College, and even sang for the student body.

The trip was a success, but one complaint was voiced a few times. What was it? “We didn’t eat any Canadian bacon!” So perhaps the choir will have to visit Canada again sometime.

This article was published in the May 2009 edition of The Standard.