Day 9: Farewell Day of L. A.

With Sunday this weekend our last full day in the USA started. We were able to sleep in and start the day with a late breakfast.

While Paula, Vincent, Almuth, and Moby visited the Getty Art Museum, the rest of the choir left for the beach around 11 o'clock by bus. Our first destination today: Venice! Here at the beach, we had one last chance to enjoy the sunny weather and the Pacific Ocean. While some choir members had lunch on the sandy beach, others took the opportunity to go swimming, watch surfers, take photos, shop, or sunbathe.

L. A. says goodbye to us summery

Then we went to the Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church where we prepared for our last concert in the USA. Singing from memory is already easier for us and we also decided to include the beautiful male piece 'Ave Maria' by Franz Biebl in the program.

While we were rehearsing, our bus driver Happy fought to free the bus, which had gotten stuck when we arrived. Unlucky Happy!

Our farewell concert started already at 4:30 pm, this time without a partner choir. Through short breaks, we were able to distribute our energy well and captivate the audience with our choir sound. When Whitacre's 'Leonardo' finally sounded, no one could stay seated: Standing ovation! This concert was also a successful conclusion of an impressive and instructive choir trip for us. With a heartfelt 'Farewell from the Forest', our 'Goodbye' resounded through the church, moving some to tears.

Afterwards, we went to the Santa Monica Pier, where a well-deserved meal awaited us. At Bubba Gump, we had cheeseburgers, fish fillets, salad, wine, beer, and chocolate cake to conclude. We enjoyed the last time together in the evening before heading home the next day.

We look back gratefully on an unforgettable week that we will never forget in our lives.

Report: Franziska Kiefel | #ljcgoesus #ljcontour #saechsischerchorverband #simplysaxony