On Friday night we had our first full concert, a joint program with the Heidelberg Youth Choir, at the Heidelberg Music School.  The performance opened with hundreds of American and German young people singing South African welcome songs, led by Tabong, South African artist in residence at the school.   It was great fun to see his reaction as our boys absorbed the pieces so quickly – ones they had never heard before.  Fast forward to the end of concert, when KSB surprised Tabong with our South African medley.  How he beamed!  He was truly astounded.  He joined in with all of them even though he didn’t know our songs.  Of course he did!  That is the South African way! That is UBUNTU!  He told me afterwards that hearing our boys sing brought him home to South Africa. We plan to collaborate next year in South Africa.

The other highlight of the concert was when Alexander Minch joined us for some standard rep pieces. Now a grown man working for Lufthansa, Alex also beamed  as he “came home again” to sing with KSB.  He and his brother Konstantin sang with us for many years.  A million thanks to his mother Angela Wende, who did so much planning to make this tour a success.  She is serving as our Tour Manager, with us every step of the way.  ANGELA,WIER LIEBEN EUCH!

Yesterday, Saturday we travelled to Stuttgart to perform with the Hymnus Boychoir of Stuttgart.  They hosted us for a concert back in 2008 on our first tour to Germany. We then hosted them in 2014 in Philadelphia, and so this is a growing friendship that both choirs treasure. They took such good care of our boys – especially the Hymnus choir moms who made sure our boys had plenty to eat at every turn.  Some things are universal!  A good opportunity to thank all of our parent volunteers for all they do for KSB – back at home and abroad. We have an amazing group of chaperones who are taking such good care of us.   To Jachai May, Linda Deis, Chris Day, Lori Flynn, Sarah Foster, Aimee Hydock, Susan Klein, Sarah McMenamin, Chris Simcox and Tom Wamser…VIELEN DANK!

Today, Sunday, we will perform in surely one of the most beautiful, unique venues in KSB’s history.  More later on that, as well as our truly profound experience yesterday with Inge visiting the railway platform from which she departed for Terezin.  The opportunity we had to share this sacred place with Inge is something that will stay with all of us for our whole lives.