Monday May 15, 2006
Departure from the USA via scheduled air service, including full meal, beverage service and in-flight entertainment. The destination is York, England, via the London airport.

Tuesday May 16, 2006 York
Groups arrive in York and check into hotels. Chorus members and non-singing participants gather for the Welcome Dinner with introductions, a brief orientation and local folk entertainment.

York - in AD 71, the Roman Ninth Legion built a fortress, Eboracum, later capital of the northern province. Here, in AD 306, Constantine the Great was proclaimed Emperor. In AD 866, the Vikings captured the city which became Jorvik. Scandinavian influence, custom and street names continued long after the Norman conquest. Medieval York, its prosperity based on wool, was a city of 10,000 people and forty churches, the richest city in the country after London.

Wednesday May 17, 2006 York
Morning guided city tour including entrance to both the York Minster and the Jorvik Viking Center, a walk along the walls which embrace the whole of medieval York, a visit to the Shambles (the most visited among many streets with overhanging timber-framed houses), the ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey (founded in 1086), and many other attractions. Rehearsals with Bob Chilcott, Bill Carroll and Welborn Young begin after lunch in the York Minster Chapter House. Non.singing participants may enjoy additional sight.seeing opportunities. Individual group dinners are followed by evening rehearsals.

Thursday May 18, 2006 York
Morning rehearsals. Afternoon tour options include excursions either to Selby Abbey or the Harrogate Pump Room Museum. Individual group dinners are followed by evening rehearsals.

Friday May 19, 2006 York
Dress Rehearsal in the York Minster with chorus and soloists in the morning. Afternoon free for seeing more of York, shopping, and preparing for the concert. Dinner on own this evening. Festival Finale Performance at the York Minster.

Saturday May 20, 2006 Edinburgh
Transfer to Edinburgh, Scotland. Upon arrival, enjoy a panoramic city tour, which will introduce us to the sights and layout of the city. We will see the castle, Royal Mile, St. Giles’ Cathedral and Parliament Hall in the Old Town, in addition to Princes Street, Charlotte Square and the Scott Monument in the New Town. Afternoon/evening at leisure.

Edinburgh - with its striking medieval and Georgian districts, overlooked by the volcanic sill of Arthur's Seat to the south and the Calton Hill to the north, Edinburgh is widely regarded as one of Europe's loveliest capitals. The city is famous for the arts (it was once known as the "Athens of the North"), a preeminence reflected in its hosting every year of Britain's largest arts extravaganza, the Edinburgh Festival. Its museums and galleries display the riches of many cultures.

Sunday May 21, 2006 Edinburgh
Participate/sing in morning service in one of Edinburgh’s churches or cathedrals. Afternoon guided sightseeing tour of Edinburgh. Tour Edinburgh Castle, which along with its rock, is probably the best known view in Edinburgh. It has been a royal residence since the 11th century, although the majority of buildings you will see are those resulting from its use as a military garrison. We will see the Honours of Scotland (including the Scottish Crown Jewels) and the Royal Scots Regimental Museum. Also visit Arthur’s Seat, Charlotte Square, St. Giles, John Knox House, the Royal Mile, Sir Walter Scott Monument, St. Andrew Square and other landmarks.

Monday May 22, 2006 Edinburgh
Full day excursion to Perth and Dundee. The former Royal Burg of Perth, located on the River Tay, retains the atmosphere of a country town. It played a prominent role in Scottish history and might have well become the capital had not James I been assassinated here in 1457. Dundee enjoys an almost perfect situation on the northern shore of the Tay. It is a busy seaport, and educational center and the capital of the Tayside region. Return to Edinburgh for overnight.

Tuesday May 23, 2006 Glasgow
Check out of hotel. Transfer to Glasgow via Stirling and Loch Lomond. Stirling has always been of paramount strategic importance. This is why it has enjoyed such a long and eventful history. The modern town is based around the castle and former royal residence, perched on a crag. The royal association began in 1124 and there have been several battles fought nearby since. Visit Stirling Castle, one of Scotland’s strongest and most impregnable fortresses. The castle’s rock has been fortified since the Iron Age, though what you will see today dates largely from the 15th and 16th centuries.

Midday recital in Stirling Castle. Continue on to the idyllic Loch Lomond, northwest of Glasgow, Britain's largest lake and according to Walter Scott "The Queen of Scottish Lakes". Enjoy a one-hour cruise on the lake, seeing the wonderful scenery surrounding it. Finally, arrive at the Glasgow hotel. Evening farewell dinner.

Wednesday May 24, 2006 Depart for home
Transfer to the Glasgow airport for the return flight to the USA. Return home in the evening of the same day.