RPSINGS is going INTERNATIONAL!
Normandy Choral Festival
June 28 - July 6, 2023
Open to all of RPSINGS including families, community members and Alumni. This trip is an "outside of school" trip sponsored by our booster club as an optional event.
----------
Day 1 - Wednesday, June 28, 2023 - DEPARTURE USA
The journey to France begins by boarding an international flight to Paris.
Day 2 - Thursday, June 29, 2023 – ARRIVE PARIS
Arrive in Paris today and enjoy a panoramic tour of the city. You will see many of the iconic sights of Paris including the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the artistic Left Bank neighborhoods, and the Seine River. Welcome Dinner and overnight Paris.
Day 3 - Friday, June 30, 2023 – PARIS
Following breakfast this morning, you’ll have a rehearsal with Dr. Cameron LaBarr followed by a guided city tour that will include a visit to the Louvre. One of the largest art museums in the world, the Louvre is located on the Right Bank of the Seine. It houses 35,000 objects from prehistoric times to the 21st century. The Louvre is housed in the Louvre Palace which began as a fortress built in the late 12th century under Philip II. It is home to many famous pieces of art including the Mona Lisa. You'll also visit the Eglise de la Madeleine, a 19th-century Roman Catholic church located between the Place de la Concorde and the Palais Garnier. Built over a span of 80 years, it was initially intended as Napoleon's tribute to his victorious army. Fauré's Requiem Mass was premiered there on January 16, 1888. This mass for the dead is considered one of Fauré's masterpieces and one of the most beautiful Requiems of the 19th century. After your city tour, enjoy some time at leisure. In the evening you'll have a 2nd rehearsal. Dinner and overnight in Paris.
Day 4 - Saturday, July 1, 2023 – PARIS / NORMANDY
This morning, depart Paris and transfer to Normandy. There will be a stop at the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer. This cemetery which overlooks the Normandy landing beaches honors American soldiers who died during World War II. You will take part in a wreath laying ceremony at the Cemetery and have time to explore the museum which documents this monumental event in world history. Continue to Caen for dinner and an evening rehearsal. Overnight in Caen.
Day 5 - Sunday, July 2, 2023 – CAEN & FESTIVAL GALA CONCERT
This morning you'll visit the Peace Museum in Caen followed by some time at leisure to explore on your own. The Peace Museum has three memorial gardens. The American Garden, the British Garden and the Canadian Garden are dedicated to the three main allied nations involved in liberating France. Overall the Museum commemorates World War II and the Battle for Caen. You'll have a mid-afternoon dress rehearsal followed by dinner. Tonight you'll perform the festival gala concert. Overnight in Caen.
Day 6 - Monday, July 3, 2023 – CAEN / TOURS
Transfer today from Caen to Tours with a guided tour en route of Mont-Saint-Michel, an island 1⁄2 mile off the coast of France that is accessible during low tide. The Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey has been protected as a French historic monument since 1862. Around its base are medieval walls and towers above which rise the clustered buildings of the village with the ancient abbey crowning the mount. One of the more popular tourist attractions in France, Mont-Saint-Michel was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. Continue to Tours for dinner and overnight.
Day 7 - Tuesday, July 4, 2023 – TOURS
Enjoy sightseeing in the Loire Valley today that will include entrance to the Châteaux Chenonceau and Chambord. The Château de Chenonceau spans the river Cher and is one of the best-known châteaux of the Loire Valley. Château de Chambord is the largest château in the Loire Valley and was built to serve as a hunting lodge for Francis I. In the evening you'll perform an individual concert in Tours. Dinner and overnight in Tours.
Day 8 - Wednesday, July 5, 2023 – PARIS
This morning you'll transfer to Paris and take a guided excursion to Versailles upon arrival. The Palace of Versailles was the principal royal residence of France from 1682 under Louis XIV until the start of the French Revolution in 1789 under Louis XVI. This royal château was originally built in a country village which has now become a wealthy suburb of Paris. Composed of the Palace, the gardens, the Park, the Trianon estate and several buildings in town, the Estate of Versailles spreads over more than 3 square miles. Return to Paris for the afternoon at leisure to explore the city on your own. Farewell dinner and overnight in Paris.
Day 9 - Thursday, July 6, 2023 – PARIS / USA
Transfer today to the airport in Paris to begin your journey back to the USA, taking with you lifelong memories of exploring and performing in France.
Open to all of RPSINGS including families, community members and Alumni. This trip is an "outside of school" trip sponsored by our booster club as an optional event.
----------
Day 1 - Wednesday, June 28, 2023 - DEPARTURE USA
The journey to France begins by boarding an international flight to Paris.
Day 2 - Thursday, June 29, 2023 – ARRIVE PARIS
Arrive in Paris today and enjoy a panoramic tour of the city. You will see many of the iconic sights of Paris including the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the artistic Left Bank neighborhoods, and the Seine River. Welcome Dinner and overnight Paris.
Day 3 - Friday, June 30, 2023 – PARIS
Following breakfast this morning, you’ll have a rehearsal with Dr. Cameron LaBarr followed by a guided city tour that will include a visit to the Louvre. One of the largest art museums in the world, the Louvre is located on the Right Bank of the Seine. It houses 35,000 objects from prehistoric times to the 21st century. The Louvre is housed in the Louvre Palace which began as a fortress built in the late 12th century under Philip II. It is home to many famous pieces of art including the Mona Lisa. You'll also visit the Eglise de la Madeleine, a 19th-century Roman Catholic church located between the Place de la Concorde and the Palais Garnier. Built over a span of 80 years, it was initially intended as Napoleon's tribute to his victorious army. Fauré's Requiem Mass was premiered there on January 16, 1888. This mass for the dead is considered one of Fauré's masterpieces and one of the most beautiful Requiems of the 19th century. After your city tour, enjoy some time at leisure. In the evening you'll have a 2nd rehearsal. Dinner and overnight in Paris.
Day 4 - Saturday, July 1, 2023 – PARIS / NORMANDY
This morning, depart Paris and transfer to Normandy. There will be a stop at the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer. This cemetery which overlooks the Normandy landing beaches honors American soldiers who died during World War II. You will take part in a wreath laying ceremony at the Cemetery and have time to explore the museum which documents this monumental event in world history. Continue to Caen for dinner and an evening rehearsal. Overnight in Caen.
Day 5 - Sunday, July 2, 2023 – CAEN & FESTIVAL GALA CONCERT
This morning you'll visit the Peace Museum in Caen followed by some time at leisure to explore on your own. The Peace Museum has three memorial gardens. The American Garden, the British Garden and the Canadian Garden are dedicated to the three main allied nations involved in liberating France. Overall the Museum commemorates World War II and the Battle for Caen. You'll have a mid-afternoon dress rehearsal followed by dinner. Tonight you'll perform the festival gala concert. Overnight in Caen.
Day 6 - Monday, July 3, 2023 – CAEN / TOURS
Transfer today from Caen to Tours with a guided tour en route of Mont-Saint-Michel, an island 1⁄2 mile off the coast of France that is accessible during low tide. The Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey has been protected as a French historic monument since 1862. Around its base are medieval walls and towers above which rise the clustered buildings of the village with the ancient abbey crowning the mount. One of the more popular tourist attractions in France, Mont-Saint-Michel was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. Continue to Tours for dinner and overnight.
Day 7 - Tuesday, July 4, 2023 – TOURS
Enjoy sightseeing in the Loire Valley today that will include entrance to the Châteaux Chenonceau and Chambord. The Château de Chenonceau spans the river Cher and is one of the best-known châteaux of the Loire Valley. Château de Chambord is the largest château in the Loire Valley and was built to serve as a hunting lodge for Francis I. In the evening you'll perform an individual concert in Tours. Dinner and overnight in Tours.
Day 8 - Wednesday, July 5, 2023 – PARIS
This morning you'll transfer to Paris and take a guided excursion to Versailles upon arrival. The Palace of Versailles was the principal royal residence of France from 1682 under Louis XIV until the start of the French Revolution in 1789 under Louis XVI. This royal château was originally built in a country village which has now become a wealthy suburb of Paris. Composed of the Palace, the gardens, the Park, the Trianon estate and several buildings in town, the Estate of Versailles spreads over more than 3 square miles. Return to Paris for the afternoon at leisure to explore the city on your own. Farewell dinner and overnight in Paris.
Day 9 - Thursday, July 6, 2023 – PARIS / USA
Transfer today to the airport in Paris to begin your journey back to the USA, taking with you lifelong memories of exploring and performing in France.