Greece

Among the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Ephesus, where Saint Paul lived and evangelized, the Greeley Chorale did some evangelizing of our own. We sang the spiritual "All My Trials" in the grandest amphitheater we had ever seen. 

We opened our tour concerts with the Greek National anthem, and included the beloved Greek pop song, "Never On A Sunday".

On a cruise ship sailing to Greek islands, we entertained fellow passengers with Broadway show tunes, opera, and jazz, sung by soloists Michael Foerster, Anita McSwain, guest artist, Greg Gerbrandt, and a jazz group directed by Denise Ford. Other soloists in Greece included, Judy Atkinson(fiddle), Linda Johnston, Grace Kim, Jeff Walthall, Larry Scovil, Patty Darrough, Chad Young, Maggie Hayes, and Duane Franzen. 

​

Joining the Chorale in a concert, was a Greek choir directed by their Russian conductor. We all sang my personal favorite, Rachmaninov's "Bogoroditse Devo".

​

More memories of our Greek tour include: Going on a four hour train trip from Athens to Thessaloniki through many tunnels and with views of Mt Olympus. I enjoyed swimming as a refreshing break from the summer heat near Patras, with a view of the magnificent Rio-Antirio Bridge, and at a popular beach on the island of Rhodes. Our favorite dinner was outdoors at the foot of the Acropolis in Athens, and included fresh salads and baklava for dessert. At Kalambaka, near the monasteries of Meteora, we were entertained by Greek dancers and we were invited to dance with them. It's not Greece without dancing!

​

A bittersweet memory of our Greece tour was that for Chorale veterans of many international tours, it was our last time traveling with our beloved conductor, musical director, mentor, and friend, Carl Gerbrandt.