Tag: Leipzig

  • 2019 Tour | Day 7 – Leipzig

    2019 Tour | Day 7 – Leipzig

    We were lucky to have a bit of a later start today, leaving the hotel at 9:30 for a walking tour of Leipzig. On the tour, we saw quite a few prominent places including the university, the stock exchange, and some of the stunning buildings, along with some statues of Bach and Mendelssohn. 

    After our tour we headed to St. Thomas church; the last resting place of Bach. While there we were invited to sing in a short prayer service. We then sang a 20 minute concert for the people inside the church. Followed by a more intimate performance of the Bach Aria around the grave of Bach. Which was in the center of the sanctuary inside the church. 

    Outside the church, there was a string duo busking. (The same duo that some of the youth choir had met the night before.) They recognized the group and asked us to sing as a whole choir with them. We sang what we could remember of Ave Maria and were very we received by passers by. 

    Pearson then asked the violinist if he could play her violin, she agreed and was cheering him on the whole time. 

    After our performance with the string duo, we went back to the square in which our hotel was located. The group then had free time for the entire afternoon before dinner. We broke off into groups with our chaperones for lunch, and some additional sight seeing, although a few groups went on a walking tour of Leipzig with our tour guide Gabi and Ms. Strome. 

    After the free time, we went for a delicious steak and chicken dinner. We all made bets on whether it would be steak or chicken, and were pleasantly surprised to find both!
    The chaperones took us on a detour on the way back to the hotel and stopped us in a green space where Josh led us in some tag games and campfire songs.
    On the way back to the hotel there was a man who asked where we were from and got very excited when we said Canada. He said he has friends in Canada and that he spoke French. So we spoke with him in French then sang a song for him and he was so thrilled. He told us that he will remember this day forever, I think most of us will as well.
    Today was a great day in Leipzig and we can’t wait to head out to Berlin! 

    Hannah, Kalika, and Gabriel. 

  • 2019 Tour | Day 6 – Leipzig

    2019 Tour | Day 6 – Leipzig

    The choir started the day off bright and early to travel to Ohrdruf to visit the house Bach stayed in with his brother after his parents had died. It was  a a little windy, but the cooler weather was very welcome! After a short time in the square we once again hit the road traveling now to Arnstadt!

    Once we arrived, we took a short walk to the first church Bach had worked in, as the organist! In the year 1703 Bach traveled to Arnstadt to inspect the churches organ. The choristers can attest to how gorgeous the organ is, the photos just dont do it justice.

    Next we were off to Weimer! After some free time in the towns main square, we started our guided tour, observing some of Weimers most famous buildings and houses; including the very famous Elephant hotel!

    Our long day ended in Leipzig, with everyone checking into the beautiful hotel, and having some free time for dinner in the square! We can certainly verify that the bratwurst in Germany is like no other.

    We are both joyed and sorrowed to say that baby Bach, our beloved mascot for the trip, fell back in love with his home town of Eisenach, and decided he would take a leave of absence from the group to catch up with some old friends, he will be missed, but we wish him all the best! 

    Gute Nacht!