Thanks for a great conference call

Dear YPAS Travelers, Family and Friends,
it was great talking to you all this evening and please do not hesitate to contact us via email to info@incantatotours. com with questions you may have and we will be happy to answer them individually or if of interest to all, make them a topic on this blog.
Warmest, Sandra for all of us at Incantato Tours

Times

I surely hope you all are better at math than I (Sandra) am. Not only will you be dealing with the time difference between your home time in the US and Europe, but also experience GMT for Spain which puts you six hours ahead of Louisville (EST) and WET for Portugal which is five hours ahead. In addition, you will be part of the big switch - Day Light Savings Time DSV as the clocks in Spain & Portugal are switched back an hour on March 29, 2009. Before I confuse you even more, check out the following site for Spain and Portugal. However, the best advise I can give you, is just to forget trying to figure out what time it is back home while you are abroad. Unless you want to call someone in the US, all that matters is what time it is where you are.

A special request from the Spanish Choir to the YPAS singers: Please learn Como La Flor

The singers of the Joven Coro de la Fundación Príncipe de Asturias are very very excited to meet the YPAS Touring Concert Choir. Their director, Maestro José Angel Embil (pictured on the right) just told our Incantato Concert Managers how much they are all looking forward to singing together. His group is currently rehearsing "A Song of Eternal Love" by Richard Burchard and they are asking you now to also learn a song that is very popular in their region: Como La Flor. Dr. Glasscock will share the score with you all soon.
For more information on this wonderful Spanish Youth Choir, click here. And this link takes you to the director's biography.
Here is a clip of the adult choir Coro de la Fundacion Principe de Asturias performing with orchestra for the Royal Family. And you may also enjoy this one.

Daily Itinerary - Here are some of the Highlights

There is lots to see to do and last not least many wonderful places to sing in - here are the day to day highlights of the 2009 YPAS Performance Tour to Spain & Portugal. A detailed itinerary with times will be made available to all of the participants as well as the families of the singers before departure.

March 26 - Overnight flight to Europe: Sit back, relax, talk, eat etc - enjoy the ride on Delta Airlines to arrive in Spain the morning.
March 27 - Arrival in Madrid: Meet your Incantato tour managers Katia and Stefania, your first set of drivers and coaches and then explore the capital city of Spain first on the bus, then on foot. After check-in to your tour hotel (this information has been emailed to all of you and is available again upon request, but will not be displayed on the blog), meet your local guides a panoramic tour. It will give you an overview of Madrid's many highlights: Plaza de España (Monument of Cervantes and Don Quijote), Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral - where the choir is singing High Mass on April 3, Calle Mayor and Plaza Mayor (Old Madrid), Puerta del Sol, you will see the Prado,Thyssen and Reina Sofia Museums (from the outside), Atocha Railway Station, Retiro Park, Bullring Ventas, Paseo de la Castellana (Modern Business Madrid), Plaza de Cibeles
Gran Via (Main street). There will be photo stops, short walks and the opportunity to stay downtown for exploring in your chaperone groups. Return to your hotel for dinner and your first overnight abroad.
March 28 - Head to charming Segovia: The city tour and a visit to the Alcazar are followed by free time and a special welcome dinner (we wanted you to be awake and well rested to really enjoy it, thus the timing for today instead of yesterday).
March 29 - Via Leon to Oviedo: Two singing opportunities await you today - first a recital at the magnificent Cathedral de Leon, than your first formal concert joined by singers from the Joven Coro in Oviedo. After this special performance which is already advertised on local radio and TV, the YPAS group will eat dinner together with the Spanish singers, their teachers and some family members - a wonderful opportunity to get to know each other better.
March 30 - Now it is time to explore beautiful Oviedo, one of the many gems Spain has to offer. Here are some of the highlights of the city tour with local guides: Orientation drive of the city center, followed by a visit to the market of Oviedo (El Fontán) and the Old Quarter (Town hall, medieval streets, the old "Camino de Santiago" crossing Oviedo etc), and a tour of the Cathedral of Oviedo (El Salvador). You will continue North via the beach town of Luarca - and some time to take a dip in the Med, to the pilgrimage town of Santiago di Compostela. All in all, a very relaxing day with lots of beautiful countryside to take in.
March 31 - Get to know Santiago di Compostela: In the morning, you'll take a guided city tour of Santiago's highlights with local guides: The panoramic driving tour will show the city and monuments located outside the center; followed by a walking tour around the main squares, streets and monuments of Santiago, including an in-depth visit of the Cathedral with a stop at the tomb of Saint James. The YPAS Touring Concert Chois is the featured guest performer for this evening's High Mass and there may well be 500, 1000 or even more people in the cathedral when you sing.
April 1 - Time to say good-bye to Spain, for two days: Off to Portugal you are, with your first stop being Oporto. A guided city tour of Oporto's highlights: Visit the Clérigos Tower, the ancient prison, in the city center see the Main place, Praça da Liberdade, passing along the railwaystation S.Bento, with the very interesting tiles covering the walls, and take a look at the Cathedral of Porto. Walk down to the Ribeira river, along the medieval streets and reach the old harbour. Optional visit to a Port Wine Cellar Continue on the bus to the pedestrian street Santa Catarina, to visit the market Bolhão and the most famous Café of Oporto: the Majestic. The choir has the opportunity to present a recital at Lapa Church, then you'll continue to Lisbon for dinner and overnight.
April 2 - Lisbon in-depth: Explore the capital city of Portugal with your local guides through a panoramic drive, then continue to Belém and visit the Monastery of Jerónimos, the Tower of Belém and Monument of the Discoveries. The bus tour is followed by a walking tour of to the old city quarters ending at the Cathedral where YPAS is the featured guest choir for High Mass. After plenty of free time, prepare for your second formal concert at the Estrela Basilica.
April 3 - Back to Spain for one more special performance and a very fun farewell: Relax as you ride back to Madrid today for another invitation to sing High Mass in an amazing venue, the beautiful Almudena Cathedral. Then it is party-time at a traditional Flamenco restaurant. Check out the following clips we found on Youtube: Flamenco 1, Flamenco 2. Better bring your dancing shoes!!!
April 4 - Will be the day to say good-bye to Europe as you return home to Louisville.

Travel Tips - Cell phones in Europe

First of all, please ask yourself DO I REALLY REALLY NEED MY CELL PHONE while traveling through Spain & Portugal. And some of the parents and guests will right away say yes as they need it to stay in touch with work, but dear singers and younguns on the tour, please give this question some serious thought and hopefully you come to the conclusion that you do not need your phones while traveling with friends and family. Taking your cell phone abroad is very costly and for some of you with non-GSM phones or a provider that does not offer international services abroad, you may even have to buy a new phone and in our opinion that is not really worth it. You can buy local phone cards in Spain and Portugal for a fraction of the per minute cost when using your US cell abroad and contact your loved ones this way too. You can also send emails home from internet cafes and sometimes even the hotels. Don't forget that Incantato together with the YPAS Tour Reporters maintains a tour blog to update all your friends and families about your tour. Last not least, there is SKYPE and other free or very low cost call services over the internet that allow you to keep in touch on a budget.
In addition, our Incantato Tour Manager Team carries cell phones and you will be given your tour managers' numbers so that you have them just in case. In addition, Incantato Tours provides two Spanish cell phones for your chaperones - one per coach. We also provide your family staying behind with a US number other than the office phone where an Incantato team member can be reached in case of an emergency and this person knows how to get in touch with the group at all times too.
Here are some helpful websites for those of you that need additional information on cell phone use abroad:
Ehow
Cellhire
Ezine

Travel Tips - Baggage allowance

Dear Travelers, please find below a very detailed information on the baggage allowance for your upcoming flight with Delta. There is no charge for checked bags on international flights as long as your suitcase is within the weight limit. Remember, you are only allowed ONE checked suitcase per person coming on your Incantato Tour plus ONE small/normal size carry-on as luggage capacity on the bus is limited. On the way home, you may check in two pieces if necessary (for those shoppers among you), but if we cannot fit them on the coach to the airport, you may have to put access luggage in a taxi cab and pay for that expense yourself.
Now, read carefully:

You can carry on one bag plus one personal item per passenger as long as it:

Weighs less than 40 pounds (18 kg).

· Does not exceed 45 inches when you total length plus width plus height.

· Fits easily into our SizeWise® unit (approximately 22"x14"x9").

· Fits in an overhead bin or underneath the seat in front of you.

Here are some examples of personal items:

· Male or female purse

· Briefcase

· Laptop computer (All laptop/computers must be carried aboard and cannot be checked. For information about Delta's battery-saving system for laptops, visit Connectivity)

· Camera case

· Diaper bag

· Items of a similar or smaller size to those listed above, such as Portable Electronic Devices.

These additional items are okay to carry on and don't count towards your allowance:

· Food items for immediate consumption

· Assistive devices such as wheelchairs or crutches, provided passenger is dependent on them

· One box or bag of duty free merchandise

· A coat or jacket

· An umbrella

· One item of reading material

There may be more limits to carry-on baggage based on available space and additional restrictions on certain flights.

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Checked Baggage

You can check your BAG free of charge.

The bag must:

· Weigh 50 pounds (22.5 kg) or less.

· Not exceed 62 inches when you total length plus width plus height.

If you have a bag that exceeds these allowances, see Excess Baggage.

Exceptions:

Some packages, sporting goods, musical instruments, and fragile or bulky items may require special handling. For more information on special items, see Special Baggage.

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General Conditions of Acceptance

Delta will accept your baggage for transportation, subject to the following conditions:

· All baggage is subject to search.

· We reserve the right to refuse baggage whose size, weight, character, or condition is unsuitable for transportation on the particular aircraft which is to transport it or which cannot be accommodated without harming or annoying passengers.

· Baggage check-in requirements, which vary by airport, must be met. Please review Airport Check-in Requirements for details.

· Baggage must be checked in at a Delta designated city or airport office.

· Your name must be on your luggage.

· Baggage will not be checked to a destination that is not on a passenger's itinerary.

YPAS Concert Choir Repertoire for Spain & Portugal

Adoramus te Gasparini
Cantate Domino Pitoni
Eli eli Deak-bardos
Set Me as a Seal Clausen
Tenebrae facta sunt Ingegneri
Hush, Somebody's Callin My Name Dennard
Down to the River to Pray Curry
Saints Bound for Heaven Shaw/Parker
Shenandoah Erb
Arioso Bach
Witness Halloran
Weep O Mine Eyes Bennett
Song of Eternal Love Burchard

Travel Tips - What to pack/Baggage allowance

Dear Travelers, please find below a link to very detailed information on the baggage allowance for your upcoming flight with Delta. There is no charge for checked bags on international flights as long as your suitcase is within the weight limit of 50 pounds. Remember, you are only allowed ONE checked suitcase per person coming on your Incantato Tour plus ONE small/normal size carry-on as luggage capacity on the bus is limited. On the way home, you may check in two pieces if necessary (for those shoppers among you), but if we cannot fit them on the coach to the airport, you may have to put access luggage in a taxi cab and pay for that expense yourself. Please go to the following Delta website for detailed information on what is considered a carry-on and a checked bag, but please keep in mind that we can only fit ONE checked bag per person on the coach.

For most people, packing is the most difficult part. The solution for many is to just pack as much as you possibly can into your suitcase and backpack, says our youngest and very well traveled team member Ember: "But you'll be thanking me later when you don't break your back from having to carry everything on your own. Don't do it!" Her advise: "Pack as lightly as you can. The best way to get it all to fit nicely into your suitcase is to fold it nicely and then roll it tightly. It can all fit into your bag like a puzzle."
Keep in mind, however, that many cathedrals have a dress code and will not allow you to walk in if you are wearing tank tops or shorts. A scarf is a good solution to this code. And shorts should always go to your knees (both for Ladies and Gents). Incantato also plans a farewell dinner for the tour groups, so bring something comfortable and dressy.
Here are a few things that Ember thinks are essential to have to be comfortable with what the weather brings, and with the weight of your bag - remember, we allow only one checked bag per person and a small carry-on such as a bag pack or small duffel. Yes Ladies, you may have a small purse in addition, gents a camera case is fine too, but again, you will be the one carrying it all from the bus to the hotel and vice versa, so better test if you can move all your travel belongings without needing to make two trips or help from someone else.

Ember's packing list (just a suggestion and a very good one!)

• Light rain jacket
• Umbrella
• An adapter plug/converter (if bringing electronic devices)
• Camera and batteries or charger with adapter
  
• At least two pair of jeans/pants, ladies may want to bring a couple skirts or dresses too
  
• 1 or 2 pair of shorts
• a sweater or two
  
• Plenty of shirts, including a polo or two and at least two dress shirts (Europeans dress much more formal than Americans)
• Plenty of undergarments and socks for daily changes
• A watch, make-up and jewelry if applicable (carry -on any valuables)
• Choir music and attire
  
• Don't forget shoes, we recommend a maximum of three pairs (tennis shoes, maybe sandals, dress shoes). Bring nice concert shoes, but make sure that you will be able to walk long distances in them. Europeans do not wear flip flops other than to the pool or at the beach.
• Put all liquids that are in your carry-on into a zip-lock bag. And remember the 311 rules.http://www.tsa.gov/311/
  
• All scissors, fingernail clippers, etc. are better packed in your check-in luggage along with liquids over 3 ounzes. Bring enough contact lense solution and prescription medication that you may need for the whole duration of the trip.
  

If you forget anything there are plenty of little "pharmacies" where you can by shampoo, toothpaste, etc.

Travel Tips - Money Matters

Money is a delicate subject. The exchange rate at the moment is not too bad and has been pretty stable for the last few months (1 Euro= $1.27 to $1.37). And yes, it is possible to travel in Europe on a small budget. The best way to use your money is to have a debit card; this allows you to withdraw money from any ATM machine with only being charged a small withdrawal fee. The fee differs between banks. Be sure to call your bank before your departure to tell them where you are going and for how long so they won't freeze your account. The debit cards given by the bank has the compatibility of Visa, MasterCard, however, Visa is the most widely accepted worldwide. If you bring cash, you can exchange it but you will lose more money as they charge for their services. Most places in Europe won't accept traveler's checks anymore. Also, be prepared to pay for water and a fee for restroom use (between 30 to 70 Euro cent). Last not least, there are no free refills on soft drinks in Europe which is why most Europeans ask for little to no ice in their drinks.
Remember that two meals daily are covered as part of the YPAS Incantato Tour - breakfast and usually dinner, sometimes a lunch instead. In addition, we suggest you have some spending money available and our recommendation is around 12 to 15 Euro per day for the meal not included, snacks, drinks, postcards, some souvenirs. It is not imperative that you have this amount of money. There are many ways to lower your expenses such as:
· Most restaurants have menus outside so you can check their price range.
· Venture off the main roads to find a restaurant. These usually have more character, better food, and better prices.
· Bring your own water bottle. Most places have good and safe tap water to fill up with.
· Buy food from the "convenient" stores. You don't have to sit down in the restaurant for every meal.
· Shop around for souvenirs; many stores have the same things on sale for very different prices. Sometimes you may even be able to use your haggling skills for a real bargain. This is particularly true when buying from street vendors. But be careful, if it is too much of a bargain, you may not be buying a real fancy bag, but just a knock-off - Versaze instead of Versace ; )

Travel Tips - Voltage Converters & Transformers

Voltage differences in the world are not so shocking!
Voltage in the world differs for each country 220 volt or 110 volts. Plug shapes, plug holes and plug sizes are also different in each country. Some countries like USA and Canada run on 120 volt 60 cycles (60hz) and most of the worlds run on 220/240 volt 50 cycles (50hz). This difference in the voltage can be solved by using an appropriate voltage converter. These converter devices are usually available at superstores and over the internet. While you can also buy them overseas, we recommend purchasing them before you leave if you need them - some items such as ipods, laptops, cameras may only need an adapter plug. This website gives a very detailed overview.

An original composition by a special guest on the YPAS Tour: Composer Richard Burchard wrote A Song of Eternal Love

Composer Richard Burchard is a dear friend of the Youth Performing Arts School Touring Concert Choir and Director Dr. S. Timothy Glasscock. "They've performed and/or premiered many of my choral works so I am having developed a great relationship with them", Burchard explains. For the 2009 Performance Tour to Spain and Portugal, he composed a new work: A Song of Eternal Love. "I wanted this work to be something special which is also why I chose to write the text myself. I think the words resonate with everyone allowing each singer and listener to experience them in their own way. The piece was translated into Spanish by my colleague and friend, David Domine."
A Song of Eternal Love with have its European premiere on March 29, 2009 in the Chamber Music Hall of the Oficina Municipal de Congresos of Oviedo as the YPAS Choir will be joined with singers from the Youth Choir of the Prince of Asturias Foundation.

About the composer:
Richard Burchard is Associate Professor and Music Department Chair at Bellarmine University in Louisville, KY. He teaches Composition and Arranging, Music Technology, Music Theory
and World Music. Burchard also teaches in the KIIS Program (Kentucky Institute for International Studies) in Salzburg, Austria.
Burchard's music consists primarily of choral works including over thirty commissioned pieces. His compositions have been performed throughout the United States and Europe having had world premieres in Salzburg, Austria and Rome, Italy. In 2006 Burchard released his first CD of original choral music, New Music for Choir, featuring ten new compositions. In addition to choral music, Burchard composes experimental and ambient electronic music specifically for modern dance companies and Internet media companies and was named the Kentucky Music Teachers Association Commissioned Composer for 2008.
Visit www.richardburchard.com for more information and music samples.

AMOR ETERNO - Eternal Love

The YPAS 2009 Tour to Spain and Portugal has now a concert theme: Amor Eterno - Eternal Love is the title for the two highlight performances in Oviedo and Lisbon.

About the YPAS Touring Concert Choir and Director Dr. Glasscock

Dr. S. Timothy Glasscock is finishing his eighth year at The Youth Performing Arts School, where he functions as the Director of Vocal Studies and teaches Vocal Development, Repertory Choir, DuPont Manual Chorus, Concert Choir, and Chamber Choir. He also serves a Production Director to the musical productions. As Artistic Director of The Louisville Chorus, the Southeast United States’ longest-thriving choral arts agency, he is a well-known figure in artistic circles in The U.S. With a Bachelors and Masters degree in music from The University of Louisville and a Doctor of Musical Arts from The University of Kentucky, his experience is wide and varied. Dr. Glasscock is in demand nationally and internationally for conducting and guest solo performances. His biography can be found on the World Concert Artist Directory, and he is a member of the Conductor’s Guild, American Choral Director’s Association, Kentucky Music Educator’s National Conference, Chorus America, The College Music Society, National Pastoral Musicians, and various other professional organizations.

The Youth Performing Arts School Touring Concert Choir consists of vocal majors and other singers admitted by audition only. This ensemble covers a wide variety of music from all periods of musical history. Renaissance motets, baroque cantatas, classical masses, romantic and 20th century choral/orchestral masterworks—all these genres and more comprise the core repertoire of the touring ensemble at YPAS.
This choir has performed at the cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, France, at St. James Episcopal (first musical position held by Leopold Stokowsy) in London, Rochester Cathedral, Cathedral of Saint Mark’s in Venice, Italy, Chiesa Santa Maria Maggiore, and Sancta Susanna, the American parish in Rome, Italy, The Haydnsaal at Esterhaze, Mirabell Gardens, and various other prestigious venues throughout Europe. The choir has sung for presidential inaugurations, television commercials, sung back-up for touring world-famous performers, and made commercial CD recordings alone and with professional arts organizations. Each Spring, the Concert Choir performs a major work in cooperation with The Louisville Chorus. These collaborations have included the Durufle, Mozart, and Brahms requiems, Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem, and Serenade to Music, and will be performing Haydn’s Creation in April.
Nearly 80% of YPAS vocal graduates go on to pursue a career in the arts, and each year 90% of those attending college go on to major music departments across the country with full or near-full performance scholarships. The Youth Performing Arts School ensembles have consistently received distinguished ratings and can be found performing throughout the Louisville-metro area all year long

The Youth Performing Arts School (YPAS) founded in 1977, is a part of the Jefferson County Public School District and serves students in grades nine through twelve. As a magnet school under DuPont Manual High School, YPAS has diverse student population from throughout Jefferson County exhibiting talent and interest in dance, drama, technical theatre, vocal music, instrumental music, and piano. Further classes are offered in musical theatre, music theory, and jazz improvisation. At the heart of the YPAS facility is an 886-seat formal proscenium theatre with excellent acoustics and state-of-the-art production equipment. In addition, a 200-seat experimental theatre provides a more intimate setting for chamber presentations, dramatic works, and non-traditional productions. Facilities include a suite of ensemble practice rooms, dance studios, a costume shop, a scene shop, drama studios and other enhancements exceeding those found in many college settings. A computer lab and a fine arts library round out the resource-rich environment available to students of this school. YPAS has enriched the cultural and educational environment of Louisville and the Commonwealth with graduates earning scholarships to universities and conservatories throughout the nation.
You can also check out YPAS on wikipedia
The school's website is also very informative.

Want to be a tour reporter? - Apply now

Hello singers, this is a special offer for you.
Want to earn some extra tour spending money? Do you like to write?
An Incantato scholarship has been made available to give students a little extra spending money while they are overseas. All that we ask is that you post pictures and write a few blogs about your experiences during your YPAS tour. You can be a reporter for just one day or several days. The daily time commitment will be at least an hour.
If you are interested, write 150 words as to why you are looking forward to your travels with your group and please use a quote from another student.
Submit your entry to Dr. Glasscock and e-mail us a copy by February 22^nd. If you have any other questions or need advice, please contact Ember at – ember@incantatotours.com

Here are some ideas for blogging while you are overseas.

• Your flight overseas, how was it?
• Your first impressions of the land, is it flat? Are you close to the beach?
• Your hotel, what does it look like? How is it different from a typical American hotel?
• What kind of activities did you do and what did you learn?
• What is a typical dish of that region?
• How difficult is it to understand the language?
• Did you have any special cultural exchanges?
• How did you feel during your performances?
• How did the music move you in that venue?
• What did the cathedrals, churches look like and what period were they built in?

There are so many topics to touch on, please use your imagination.

Welcome on board Father Jim

Dear all, please welcome the newest addition to your tour: Rev. James Hackett, also known as Father Jim, just booked his flight to join you all on the upcoming journey to Spain & Portugal. We surely are thrilled he is on board.