Westminster Abbey, Parliament, and Big Ben
Thursday, July 8
Depart the United States for an overnight flight to London's Gatwick or Heathrow Airports. Complimentary beverages, snacks, dinner, and breakfast will be included in your flight.
Friday, July 9
Arrive in London, England where an ICMF staff member and official blue-badge English guide will meet your group for the transfer to Oxford via our private deluxe motor coaches. Upon arrival, check into your accommodations, unpack and rest. Evening welcome dinner in the Medieval Dining Hall of Wadham College for all festival participants and observers. Oxford is known as the "city of dreaming spires", a name that reflects the breathtaking skyline filled with pinnacles, towers, domes, and spires which span every architectural style since the eleventh century. Oxford University is actually a compilation of some 40 different colleges each with its own chapel, dormitories, eating hall, classrooms and quadrangle. (Overnight in Oxford)
Saturday, July 10
Orientation meeting for all participants and observers 9:00-10:00 (Holywell Music Room). Festival Chorus and Orchestra rehearsals 10:00-12:00 and 2:00-5:00. All rehearsals, master classes and recitals will take place in the Holywell Music Room, reputed to be the oldest music building in Europe. It was specifically designed for musical performances and, with its pipe organ and chandeliers, is as exciting to the eye as it is to the ear. The Holywell Music Room was the site of performances by both Handel and Mozart. It is just a few steps from Blackwell's Music Store, home to three full floors of music, compact discs and books. (Overnight in Oxford)
Sunday, July 11
Optional morning transfer to Coventry Cathedral for morning Eucharist, Warwick Castle and Stratford-upon-Avon ö birthplace of William Shakespeare. Coventry Cathedral fell victim to Nazi bombs in November 1941 and was reduced to a blackened shell. The new cathedral was built next to the hollow shell of the old in only six years and was completed in 1962. As you look at the remains of this once-great church, notice that small remnants of stained glass are still attached to the empty windows. The modern style of the new cathedral is beautiful, but still controversial in England. The large gilded cross above the altar contains the original Cross of Nails made from three medieval nails collected from the ruins of the old cathedral. Its large stained-glass windows, altar tapestry ("Christ in Glory"), and overall architecture give testament to the message of the reconciliation of man in Christ. Warwick Castle is the finest medieval castle in England and is built on a cliff overlooking the river Avon. It was once home to the fifteenth-century earl of Warwick, who during the War of the Roses, was known as "the king maker". The castle now houses one of the best collections of medieval armor and weapons in Europe, as well as furnishings and paintings by Rubens, Van Dyck and other masters. Twelve rooms are devoted to a wax exhibition by Madame Tussaud. (Overnight in Oxford)
Monday, July 12
Chorus and orchestra rehearsals 9:00-12:00. Lecture by Dr. David Stutzenberger 1:00-2:30. Rehearsals 2:30-4:00. Evening recital by Amy Cofield and Dr. G. William Bugg at 7:30 p.m. (Holywell). (Overnight in Oxford)
Tuesday, July 13
Chorus and orchestra rehearsals 9:00-12:00. Lecture on Haydn's The Creation by Dr. Howard Irving, University of Alabama-Birmingham, 1:00-2:30. Chorus and orchestra rehearsals 2:30-5:00. Evening free to relax and explore. (Overnight in Oxford)
Wednesday, July 14
Rehearsals 10:00-12:00 and 2:00-4:00. Evening concert by the University of Tennessee Festival Chorus, Dr. David Stutzenberger, conductor, in Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford (7:30 p.m.). Christ Church Cathedral is the college's 800 year-old chapel and has been Oxford's cathedral since the time of Henry VIII. It is famous for its fan-vaulted ceilings, spectacular acoustics and the famous men and boys choir. The quadrangle of Christ Church is the largest of the university and is called Tom's Quad" by the locals after the 6’ ton bell which hangs in the gate tower. Careful not to reset your watch by the clock here, as it stubbornly sets its own time calculated by its distance from the Greenwich Meridian. (Overnight in Oxford)
Thursday, July 15
Early morning transfer to London for a half-day panoramic sightseeing tour. Sights will include Buckingham Palace for the Changing of the Guard (weather permitting), St. Paul's Cathedral or Westminster Abbey, the Tower Bridge, and the Tower of London including the Crown Jewels. Lunchtime concert by the University of Tennessee Festival Chorus in the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London. Afternoon and evening free. Overnight at the beautiful Strand Palace Hotel in the Covent Garden district of London ö within a short walk of theatres, shopping and the London nightlife. (Overnight in London)
Friday, July 16
Morning free. Afternoon transfer for the chorus and orchestra rehearsal in St. John's Smith Square 2:00-5:00. Festival Chorus and Orchestra performance of Haydn's The Creation at 7:30 (SJSS). St. John's Smith Square is one of London's premiere concert halls. Originally built as a church in 1711, it was virtually destroyed during a bombing raid of World War II. Although the walls remained standing, the roof was completely destroyed and the church remained open to the sky for almost 30 years! In 1969, the building was reopened as a concert hall with a recital by Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge in the presence of H.R.H. Princess Margaret. Lady Diana, Princess of Wales, was one of the more frequent members of the audience here as well as a generous benefactor to St. John's. Included dinner following concert. (Overnight in London)
Saturday, July 17
Entire day free to shop (Harrod's is not to be missed!), explore, or do a brass rubbing at St. Martin-in-the-Fields church ö England's official brass rubbing center. While in the catacombs of St. Martin's enjoy their wonderful English tea and pastries. Or visit one of London's famous museums ö the Victoria and Albert (famous for its section of musical instruments and fashion), the National Gallery, or the British Museum. Tonight is free for an optional evening at one of London's many theatres. Currently playing are the musicals Oliver!, Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, Rent and Les Miserables. If a more quiet evening is your style, enjoy a concert or a nice dinner at one of London's sumptuous restaurants. (Overnight in London)
Sunday, July 18
Morning transfer to Salisbury. This ancient market town is home to Salisbury Cathedral, famed for its tall spire ö the tallest in all England. It is also home of one of the original copies of the Magna Carta. The Cathedral Close (the name for the grounds surrounding the Cathedral) is expansive, offering the viewer a thrilling perspective on the immensity of the church. The Cathedral and Close are still surrounded by an impressive cathedral wall. Over one of the gates (St. Ann's) Handel gave his first public concert in England. After lunch in Salisbury, we will stop at Stonehenge for a visit to one of the world's most ancient mysteries. Built in orientation to the rising and setting sun, the exact purpose of this monument has baffled scholars for ages. (Overnight in Oxford)
Monday, July 19
Festival Chorus rehearsals 9:00-12:00 and 3:00-5:00 (Holywell). Chamber Music Concert in Holywell Music Room, 7:30. Farewell dinner for all Festival participants and observers. (Overnight in Oxford)
Tuesday, July 20
Morning free to pack and buy those last souvenirs. Festival Chorus and Orchestra rehearsal in the Sheldonian Theatre, 1:00-4:00 p.m. Festival Chorus and Orchestra Farewell Concert in the Sheldonian Theatre (7:30 p.m.). The Sheldonian Theatre is the first and most ornate building of the English architect, Sir Christopher Wren (who also, by the way, designed St. Paul's in London). It is where the impressive Oxford University graduation ceremonies (conducted entirely in Latin) are held. After the concert, all participants will enjoy a farewell reception. (Overnight in Oxford)
Wednesday, July 21
Early morning transfers to Heathrow and Gatwick airports for departure to the United States. Bid farewell to new friends and thrilling musical memories while making plans to join ICMF again next year in Canterbury, England!