Or at least on the cruise ship Mighty Viking. That’s how we’ll get to St. Petersburg. It’s an overnight boat, three beds in a cabin. Restaurants on board, and a casino. If you win, you have to give half to KSB.
This is way fun. Boys, you’re going to looooooooove it.
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I have arrived in Rattvik, THEE place to be for the mid summer festival in Sweden. Thanks to our friend Karin, director of the Stockholm Boychoir, we have been booked at Stiftsgarden, a retreat hostel in Rattvik. The boys are going to be in SUMMER HEAVEN. Where do I begin? As hostels go, the accommodations are five star. There is a terrific dining hall, chapel for rehearsals, lounges to hang out. The property sits on the breathtakingly beautiful Lake Silijan, one of Sweden’s largest. It also happens to be the site for all of the mid Summer festivities in Rattvik. How awesome that we will be there to witness and take part in this century old tradition of marking the longest day of the year. Oh yes, the boys will be dancing and singing around the maypole. We’ll be learning all of these customs come the new year as we prepare for this tour.
And talk about outdoor summer fun. There’s swimming in the lake, a trampoline, a football pitch (I don’t even know what that is), a volleyball area, a playground, canoes, table tennis, bicycles, kick scooters (I’m afraid to ask), hiking trails (Nordic walking poles provided!), and a jetty that, well, jetts out way into the lake.
We have a Saturday night concert planned in one of the most beautiful churches I’ve ever seen – grand like a Cathedral but a charming Scandinavian way. We also will take part in an outdoor Sunday service.
Umm…hate to sound like the boys, but this is going to be AWWWWWWESOME.
More later…
Venue for KSB Concert in Rattvik
Aerial view of Stiftsgarden
The lake in Rattvik – swimming!
Jetty. Walk boys! Do not run. Walk!
Don’t know what this is – but KSB will find it!
Arlanda Airport in Stockholm, Sweden is everything you imagined that perfect picture of a Scandinavian airport to be. Modern, but not sleak – contemporary with a nod to mighty Nordic history.
Free Internet AND carts. We love Sweden!
And there’s free internet and free carts. Can you imagine that at JFK! Not!
Waiting for my luggage and picturing what it will be like the next time I’m here. With scores of KSB boys asking now long until the luggage belt starts moving, when they can change money, where the bathroom is, when can the start shopping, and most importantly, are there McDonalds in Sweden. (Hopefully no)
More later…
14 year-old singing sensation Bobby Hill will rush from airport on Sunday, direct from international solo debut in Indonesia, to Bucks County concert to sing Bernstein solo
Bobby Hill singing with Keystone State Boychoir
Bobby Hill, veteran member of Keystone State Boychoir (KSB) who impressed Pope Francis and the world with his unscheduled, a cappella rendition of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Pie Jesu at the Festival of Families, will land at Philadelphia International Airport on Sunday morning (10:45am, Delta Flight #4002, Terminal D) and will make a mad dash to sing the famous boy solo in the second movement of Leonard Bernstein’s beloved Chichester Psalms. The piece is one of several songs featuring KSB on a program being presented by Bucks County Choral Society under the direction of Dr. Thomas Lloyd. The concert will take place Sunday, Oct. 25 at 4:00 pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 5175 Cold Spring Creamery Rd, Doylestown, PA 18902.
This past Monday, October 19, Bobby flew with his father Jerry and KSB music director Steve Fisher to Jakarta, Indonesia after a five star hotel there offered to bring him over to sing at the wedding anniversary of a prominent Indonesian businessman and his wife. “I never thought in a million years I would be “the wedding singer” halfway around the world,” says Bobby. “But then again, I never thought I’d perform for the Pope either. The singing was fun, but the best part was definitely the hotel. I had my own room, and I didn’t even have to pay for room service.” “I know I’m biased, but my boy knocked it out of the park,” says Jerry. “When he sang the Ave Maria, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house, including mine.”
It has been a whirlwind for Bobby since he was thrust – literally – onto the international stage. “There was an unexpected transition and the Festival of Families producers didn’t want the Holy Father sitting there looking at a set change,” says Fisher. “I’m so glad they asked if I had any ideas. We’ve known for some time at KSB that Bobby’s voice was special and deserved to be heard by a larger audience. We never imagined just how large it would become – and it continues to grow. With not only his talent, but his cool under pressure, as well as his poise in meeting the pontiff, it’s no wonder Bobby captivated millions of hearts around the globe. Everywhere he goes, whether here in Philly, or New York, or Jakarta, people stop to ask for a selfie.”
Accolades and offers for Bobby, as well as KSB, to sing have poured in from every continent – even Antarctica, where the Keystone State Boychoir made history in 2009 as the first choir to perform there. Andrew Lloyd Webber himself has called Bobby’s performance for the Pope “absolutely stunning.” Webber, one of the most successful musical theatre writers of our time (Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats, Evita, Phantom of the Opera, School of Rock) has offered to accompany Bobby and KSB on the piece at a soon-to-be-announced NYC event.
Just two weeks before the Pope’s arrival in Philadelphia, KSB and sister choir Pennsylvania Girlchoir were asked to perform at the Festival of Families concert given in his honor. What no one could have predicted was that Bobby would get a once in a lifetime chance to sing a solo for perhaps the most well known, beloved person alive while millions watched around the globe. The event’s emcee, Mark Wahlberg, reacted to the solo by giving Bobby a bro hug, declaring “that is the voice of an angel.” The Hollywood star then went on to share what Bobby had whispered in his ear – “I loved you in Ted.” This prompted a public mea culpa from Wahlberg directly to the Holy Father for making a movie “not appropriate for a boy that age.”
“Bobby’s been offered countless engagements over the last two weeks – from New York to LA, from scientific bases in Antarctica to luxury hotels in Indonesia,” adds Fisher. “Yet, he’s exactly the same today as he was before he walked out on that stage. He’s certainly enjoying the ride. Who wouldn’t? But he’s got a heart of gold and has really been quite awed and humbled by the experience. We’re all proud to know him. Now we just have to hope that 48 hours of flying in six days, a whole lot of jet lag, and quite a bit of room service won’t affect his singing. But we know from recent experience that Bobby can come through in a pinch.”
Tickets to the Sunday, October 25th concert are available on the Bucks County Choral Society’s website (buckschoral.org) or can be purchased at the door.
(Media can visit our Media Resource page for background information, high resolution photos, and more.)
Publication quality photos of Bobby Hill singing with Keystone State Boychoir:
http://www.keystoneboychoir.org/wpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/LH2_0391-2.jpg
http://www.keystoneboychoir.org/wpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/LH2_0633-73.jpg
I’m currently 36,000 feet in the air heading towards Stockholm Sweden to begin a pre trip for the KSB 2016 Concert Tour of Sweden and Russia. I fly into Aurlanda Airport and then immediately board a train for Rattvik, four hours outside of Stockholm.
Rattvik, Sweden! A destination on the KSB 2016 Sweden and Russia Concert Tour itinerary
This is the Swedish countryside, and THEE place to be during the annual Scandinavian summer solstice celebrations. How cool that we’ll be there for it! Our good friends at the Stockholm Boychoir have arranged a very cool place for us to stay, as well as a concert and an outdoor service.
More later…
I’m currently 36,000 feet in the air heading towards Stockholm Sweden to begin a pre trip for the KSB 2016 Concert Tour of Sweden and Russia. I fly into Aurlanda Airport and then immediately board a train for Rattvik, four hours outside of Stockholm.
Rattvik, Sweden! A destination on the KSB 2016 Sweden and Russia Concert Tour itinerary
This is the Swedish countryside, and THEE place to be during the annual Scandinavian summer solstice celebrations. How cool that we’ll be there for it! Our good friends at the Stockholm Boychoir have arranged a very cool place for us to stay, as well as a concert and an outdoor service.
More later…
Bobby Hill singing with Keystone State Boychoir
Bobby Hill, who stunned the world with his soprano voice at the Festival of Families in the presence of Pope Francis, will perform at two sites visited by the pontiff during his visit last month. Bobby will be joined by fellow members of the Keystone State Boychoir (KSB) and its sister choir, the Pennsylvania Girlchoir (PG).
On Saturday, October 10, 2015 at 7:00pm, Bobby and his fellow choristers will sing for inmates at the Riverside Correctional Facility, 8151 State Road, Philadelphia 19136. “When I saw the pope on TV visiting that prison, I thought it would be cool for my choir to sing for inmates since they need cheering up,” explains 14-year-old Hill. “But I didn’t think it could ever happen. But then I never thought I would sing for the pope. He was so nice and even gave me rosaries. So this is a way to thank him, by giving back.”
On Sunday, October 11, 2015 at 2:30pm at the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter & Paul, Bobby and the choirs will sing at the Children’s Sabbath, an annual ecumenical service focused on the needs of children in our city. At 2:00pm, Bobby will have the opportunity to meet another celebrity, Sister Mary Scullion of Project HOME, at her now-famed grotto outside the Cathedral. Scullion will be the main speaker at the Children’s Sabbath, which is open to the public. “I’m so pleased these talented young people have agreed to join me at this event,” says Sister. I was there to hear Bobby sing live that night, and along with the Holy Father and millions of others, was so moved by his singing. His desire to fill the lives of the less fortunate with the joy of music is even more inspiring.
Bobby Hill singing with Keystone State Boychoir
Two weeks before the pope’s arrival, the Boychoir and Girlchoir were asked to perform at the Parkway concert given in his honor. What no one knew, including the young singer himself until just five minutes before he walked on stage, was that Bobby would get a once in a lifetime chance to sing a solo for perhaps the most well known, beloved person alive. “There was an unexpected transition and the producers didn’t want the pope to be sitting there looking at a set change,” says Bobby’s choir director Steve Fisher. “I’m so glad they asked. Bobby’s voice deserves to be heard.” With his talent, as well as his poise in meeting the Holy Father, Bobby has captivated millions of hearts around the globe.
After Bobby sang at the Festival of Families concert on September 26th, emcee Mark Wahlberg hugged Bobby, and then declared, “that is the voice of an angel.” The Hollywood star then went onto to share what Bobby had whispered in his ear – “I loved you in Ted.” This prompted a public mea culpa from Wahlberg directly to the Holy Father for making a movie “not appropriate for a boy that age.”
It has been a whirlwind for Bobby and his family since he was thrust – literally – onto the international stage. Accolades and offers have to sing have come in from every continent, including Antarctica, where the Keystone State Boychoir made history in 2009 as the first choir to perform there. Andrew Lloyd Webber himself has called Bobby’s a cappella rendition of the famed composer’s Pie Jesu “absolutely stunning.” Webber, one of the most successful musical theatre writers of our time (Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats, Evita, Phantom of the Opera, School of Rock) has offered to accompany Bobby on the piece at a soon-to-be-announced NYC event.
“I’m so proud of Bobby,” says Fisher. “He’s been offered countless engagements over the last two weeks, and yet the event that has him the most excited is the prison concert. But that’s Bobby. He’s exactly the same today as he was before he walked out on that stage and inspired everyone. He’s a ham for sure. You’d have to be to do what he did. But he’s got a heart of gold. We’re all proud to know him.”
For media inquiries, please contact Leanne Clancy at lclancy@greenestreetfriends.org.
click the images above to view and download a publication quality version
Keystone State Boychoir and Pennsylvania Girlchoir members at the Parkway venue on Friday, September 25, in preparation for their performance to an audience including Pope Francis with Juanes and the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Festival of Families. Read the story here.
What a week!
The Gala Concert last night was breathtaking! Still can’t stop thinking about their stellar performance. Most impressive was the Haydn “Laudate Pueri”which sounded pretty rough on Day 1 but was truly outstanding at the concert.
This morning we said our final goodbyes to any group still on campus. It was a little emotional since we’ve made such wonderful connections with these groups! I think we’ll all carry this experience close to our hearts for many years to come.
The beautiful Oregon coast.
After a not at all chaotic check-out, we boarded the bus for a day-long trip up the coast and then into Portland.You may be thinking, “what’s the big deal about the coast? How different can it be from the Jersey shore?” Well, it’s a lot different- just ask your singer when you pick them up tomorrow!
Exploring the coast.
The whole group.
The singers had a blast exploring Florence, Newport, and Lincoln City- all beautiful and unique coastal towns. It was the perfect way to end our time here in Oregon. Many singers expressed how much they enjoyed their time in Oregon and some were even talking about looking at college out here (Parents: if you’re worried about the distance, know that out-of-state tuition is around 16K! Maybe some extra incentive….)
Always a photo op.
Once back in Portland, we headed straight to the airport to catch our red-eye back to Philadelphia. We are tired but excited to go home and sleep in our own beds!
Freedom!
More photos may come later next month when we get them from PICFest and other groups in attendance, but this is our official last entry for #PICFest2015! This experience has been incredibly enriching and rewarding for our singers and we know they’ll be talking about it when they get back home!
Goodnight from Delta flight #503!
Another short post today. We have an early morning departure and we all need the extra sleep! More to come this evening!
The giddiness ensues on our final day at PICFest.
We were all giddy today when we realized that we had had our final rehearsal the night before and all that was left before our evening concert was a short church performance and some free time!
The singers did a wonderful job at the church service the morning. The parishioners were thrilled to have them there and were so complimentary on their performance and their behavior.
Reese sings the “I am His Child” solo!
After lunch we had some free time to head to the U of O bookstore which doesn’t sell books so much as it sells U of O gear. I won’t give too much away, but I think our parents can expect some yellow and green gifts in the near future…
Mr. Conlon’s chap group.
Too cool for school (bus).
Following our shopping escapades, we went back to our dorms to change into formal attire and relax for a bit before a light dinner and our concert.
The PICFest Choir!
The Gala concert was fabulous! Everyone was dressed in their formal attire and we all looked great standing on the risers together! They also sounded good. It sounded like several months of rehearsal went into those pieces as opposed to the actual several days we spent!
Boys waiting for the bus to pizza.
Pizza was next on the agenda! We all headed to a pizza joint on the river for way too much pizza and dessert.
And then came our goodbyes! The hardest part of all was saying goodbye to all the friends we’ve made here, especially our friends from the Philippines. We’ll all stay in touch be we very much hope we’ll be meeting them again someday (Did you get that, Mr. Fisher????).
The prompt was “extreme enthusiasm.”
Tonight we packed up and have are ready to head out bright and early tomorrow morning for our day trip to the coast then on to the Portland airport to fly home.
More details about our Gala Concert tomorrow plus the coast!
