In June 2000, forty people participated in a tour of China with the Santa Barbara City College Concert Choir...The tour was a great success.
Our first day in China was a busy one. The students took walking tours of Tianamen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven. This day of sight-seeing was followed by a performance at the Beijing Theatre to an appreciative audience.
The next day saw the choir ascending a portion of the Great Wall. This magnificent site was a highlight for many on the trip, especially the tour leader, who managed to make it to the top in record time! For the few who actually climbed to the peak of this section of the wall, a short performance was given at the very top. It was an enthusiastic group to say the least. After an exhausting clime, the students visited the Ming Tomb.By the third day, the students were getting adept at a few Chinese phrases, mainly ³I do not want to buy² became their favorite. During our bus travel, our expert guide, Ada, gave the students a wealth of information about the history and culture of China. She, and other guides, also gave the students lessons in Chinese.The students became friends with our many guides and Chinese people. On our last day in Beijing, we visited the pandas at the Beijing Zoo, the Summer Palace and lake,and finally an exchange performance at the Peking Opera School.The students marvelled at the spectacle of Chinese Opera, with its combination of singing, speaking,
dance and martial arts. This was an amazing opportunity to exchange with other performers in China. The following day, after a short flight to Suzhou, we visited an Embroidery Institute and a Silk Factory. Later in the evening the choir prepared another concert, this time at the grandiose Peopleıs Congress Hall, which was filled to capacity, nearly 1000 people in attendance! The concert of mostly American music was received very enthusiastically. A large banner reading ³Welcome Santa Barbara City College Singers² hung across the stage. Following the concert, large bouquets of flowers were presented to myself and Josephine Brummel. Also, many singers were deluged with requests for autographs from young audience members. Were given a similar reception at all the performances. Also in Suzhou, the students visited a traditional Chinese garden. Reminiscent of Japanese gardens, this lush area was a tranquil respite from the large cities in which we travelled.
By now the students are also getting very adept at bargaining for their purchases, and the shoppers were given a chance to show their true colors. In Suzhou, the Venice of China, we took boats down the Grand Canal in a tour of the city. 
The following day we left by coach to Shanghai, a truly cosmopolitan city. Here students were given a chance to explore the Bund, the section on the waterfront that looks like 1930ıs Austria, and later the Shanghai Museum. This fascinating city was a favorite among most of the group. At the Childrenıs Palace,the students were given a tour of the classes in original instruments, dance and choir that were offered to the children. The following day in Shanghai, the choir visited the Jade Buddha Temple, the Yu Yuan Garden, and the Childrenıs Palace. At the Childrenıs Palace, the students were given a tour of the classes in original instruments, dance and choir that were offered to the children. The students fell in love with the children of China who were very happy to meet us and practice their English skills.
The following day in Shanghai, the choir visited the Jade Buddha Temple, the Yu Yuan Garden, and the Childrenıs Palace. They were also excited to show off their dancing skills. The level of discipline in these children was phenomenal. The last day in Shanghai, the students had a chance to eat Mongolian Barbeque, and later took an excursion to the Shanghai Conservatory for a presentation of traditional instruments. They gave their final performance of the tour
at the Shanghai Conservatory, this was by far their finest performance, and was a terrific way to end the tour. That evening the students were treated to American food at Tony Romaıs, a welcome relief to all the Chinese food! In short, the trip was an unforgettable experience that the students will carry with them for the rest of their life. The accomodations were excellent, the guides were expert, the people were fascinating, and the choir rapport was just wonderful. They represented the college well with great spirit. It was a very successful tour, and I would have a hard time thinking of any way the trip could have been better presented.
