Day Six - Charlotte

This morning began with the boys singing during the morning service at St. Peters Episcopal Church. Following the service the boys made their way to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. What a great museum! The boys had so much fun being a pit crew, driving the cars and learning about the evolution of the cars, equipment and track.

In the late afternoon the boys traveled to Aldersgate Retirement Center where they participated in their chapel service. The staff and residents at Aldersgate were so thankful the boys were there to sing as part of their chapel service. Following the service the boys spent some time chatting with the residents before heading to dinner, generously provided by Aldersgate.

The boys arrived back at the hotel relatively early and began packing. They met back in the breakfast room for some time of reflection and sharing, as well as a few other last-night-of-tour traditions. The evening ended with some sandwiches and Italian ices. Off to bed for a morning at Discovery Place in Charlotte and the long drive home.

Day Five - Charleston

Today started with a pirate tour of Charleston. The boys learned about the history and influence of pirates in Charleston, the south, and the Caribbean. Bob, the pirate guide's parrot, joined the group at the end. The tour ended at Tommy Condon's Irish Pub where the boys enjoyed fish & chips, shrimp & grits, shepard's pie, and burgers for lunch.

Following some last chance shopping at the market, the group gathered at Liberty Square before boarding a ferry for Fort Sumter. It was nice to sit down for the 30 minute boat ride before arriving at the fort. A park ranger gave the history of Fort Sumpter and the boys were off exploring the nooks and cannons. Dolphins were spotted out in the harbor. The day ended with a drive to Charlotte, North Carolina where they stayed for the night.

Day Four - Charleston

Today was the day around which this tour revolved - the prestigious Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina. The morning began with a brief stop at the Charleston Visitor's Center where the boys so impressed an employee with their courtesy and maturity that he inquired about their performances - and showed up.

At 11:00am the boys performed a short preview concert in Marion Square for passers by, market vendors, and several parents who made the trip to see their boys. The choir was very well received by an enthusiastic crowd.

Next, the boys headed out in their small groups for some shopping and lunch. The pirate store was a favorite! The group gathered at the Circular Congregational Church for the 2:00 performance by the Jacksonville Children's Choir. This gave the boys some time to be in their performance space and rest in the air conditioning for a little while. At 4:30 the boys took the stage for what was easily their best performance this tour, and likely one of the best tour performances in the last decade. To say the crowd was moved by their music would be an understatement - there were tears in many an eye. They finished to an immediate, genuine standing ovation, and the compliments the boys received themselves after the performance were incredible. Members of the Chattanooga Boys Choir should be so proud.

The evening wrapped up with a little more shopping and dinner at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company.

Tomorrow, a day of sightseeing in Charleston and an evening drive to Charlotte, North Carolina.

Day 3 - Savannah

The day began early with a drive from Jacksonville to Savannah, where the boys met their tour guide, Ted. An exceptionally knowledgable guide, Ted led the boys on a scavenger hunt around Historical Savannah, the boys searching for clues to answer questions. In spite of the constant drizzle, the boys had fun and learned about Savannah's history. A member of the choir at Christ Church, Ted was able to give the boys an inside tour of the historical church where John Wesley served.

The rain cleared and the boys traveled to the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum where they performed a few songs in the rotunda for the staff. A volunteer whose father served as a surgeon during WWII lead the boys on a captivating tour of the museum. They learned about the bravery and heroism of those who serve.

Following the visit to the museum, the boys has dinner at The Lady and Sons restaurant owned by Paula Deen. Can you say butter! Ho cakes, cheese biscuits, fried chicken, ribs, pork, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, Mac an cheese, collard greens, baked beans, green beans and more!! Not to mention banana pudding, peach cobbler and chocolate chip gooey butter cake for dessert! Yuuuum!

A short trip to Charleston and a good night sleep before a busy day with two performances for the Spoleto Festival tomorrow.

Day Two - Jacksonville

Today began early with a short drive from the hotel in Tifton to the Jacksonvile Zoo. The morning and early afternoon were spent with giraffes, elephants, rhinos, zebras, monkeys, penguins, Komodo dragons, stingrays, ostriches and more. The weather couldn't have been better - in the low 80's with a nice breeze.

The boys had an early check in time At the hotel, allowing them to rest briefly and change before heading to Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church for their second performance. Preceded by an amazing handbell choir, the boys once again performed wonderfully to a full and appreciative crowd.

The boys settled into their hotel rooms, enjoyed a pizza snack and headed to bed to get some rest for a busy day tomorrow in Savannah.

Day One - Atlanta and Macon

The bus pulled away right on time and made it's way to Atlanta, Georgia. Arriving just in time for lunch, the boys enjoyed a quick bite and shopping at the CNN Center. The Inside CNN tour began with a ride on the longest free standing escalator up to the 8th floor where the boys took a picture behind a news desk and sang for the employees. They learned how the control room is run and got to see the newsrooms for CNN and HLN. Two shows were filming live while they were there, so they got to see the anchors and news directors in action.


Following the tour and a brief walk through Centennial Olympic Park, the boys headed to First Baptist Church of Christ for their first performance of the tour. The 7:00 concert was well attended and vert well received...they enjoyed hearing the boys and talking to them following the concert. And of course, the boys sounded amazing!

Wednesday morning has the boys traveling to Jacksonville, Florida for a visit to the zoo and a performance in the evening.

The last rehearsal

The 2012 Summer Tour Choir is ready to go! They are wrapping up their final tour rehearsal, packing their bags, and looking forward to a week of singing, sightseeing and fun. Follow them on their journey beginning Tuesday.