Wayzata Women’s Chorus Wales Trip

Photo: Courtesy of Elaine Ambrose

The Wayzata Women's Chorus performing at the English Methodist Church in Llangollen, Wales.

A week of warm weather surrounded by cheering fans, flowers and music may just be a midwinter night's dream, but for the Wayzata Women's Chorus, it was an exciting reality. Last July, the 28-member group competed at one of the world's most prestigious music and dance festivals: the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddffod in Wales. The chorus placed fifth in the classical female choir category, and was one of only four U.S. teams invited to perform.

Here's a look at some of the memories from its members:

 FIRST IMPRESSIONS

“Driving in the bus up to the grounds, the entrance was just beautiful. It was like going to the Olympics! There was a beautiful silver harp statue and the banners were so colorful. It just felt like we'd been working so hard all spring, and [now] we're finally here! It was a dream in our minds and we didn't know what to expect, so to be there and see it in person was just incredible.” –Deb Morem

“[My first reaction was] ‘Oh my gosh! Oh, we’re here!’ It's a dream come true. And the ambiance of the grounds; knowing that there are people here from all over the world who we're sharing this experience with. It was overwhelming.” –Lenore Miller

“I think the biggest reaction I had was when we walked into the tent where the stage was. That tent seated three, four thousand people. That was when it really hit me what a big deal this was and how lucky we were to be included in this." –Dianne Fischer

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

“Traveling to Wales and singing at the 65th Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod was sort of like participating in a musical desideratum. I felt like I was experiencing my greatest dream, even though I wasn't aware that I had it! Perhaps that was one of the best parts of it—that I learned so much about myself. The stage at the Eisteddfod was framed both front and back with constantly changing 6- to 10-foot-high rows of arranged flowers. Standing between those rows of flowers sent me into sensory overload. All I could think of was, 'Where Have All the Flowers Gone?' sung by Peter, Paul and Mary. And I thought, 'Here's where all the flowers have gone! Who knew? Llangollen, Wales!' Concentrating on my music was really difficult at times." –Elaine Ambrose

[On meeting a group of Sardinian singers who were not part of the competition] "When they started singing, [one singer] had tri-tones. It was wild how low he could get; we've never heard that before—and it was such a different sound. Then when the other three held back, one would come up and then come right in with this tone and start harmonizing him, and not the kind of harmonizing we think is so beautiful. It's hard to describe what it was like. Then the tenors came in and it was just absolutely glorious. I had goosebumps on top of goosebumps! Later on after they sang for us, we saw them again, and before that they were very proper, but by then they all gave me a hug and said how much fun it was that they could perform for our choir and how warm our chorus was to them.

There was another group when we were going to sing and they were sitting in the audience. We found out they were a signing choir, and they don't have a category for them in the competition, but they were hoping if they came out to the grounds and signed that they would make a category for them. That was very, very touching and they were just lovely. We stood and watched them and encouraged them. It was a surreal experience. It was like everybody, even if you didn't know the people, were all for you. It wasn't like a competition; it just evolved into something beautiful.” –Carole Birch, choir director

Share this Article

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•