[NOTE:  Several family members, all who happened to be mothers, traveled with us on this England tour.  Here is the perspective from one of them, Kathi Judge.]

After experiencing a Drake Chamber Choir tour to England, I feel like a Marine---The Few, the Proud!  It was a privilege and an honor to accompany this group of exceptional musicians and especially this group of wonderful human beings on their tour through England.
    
As I look back and reflect on the trip, several things compete for the most memorable experiences and I would like to share my top 10 with you.
The choir’s very first casual concert in St. George’s Chapel—hearing their extraordinary rendition of The Three Kings, watching the reaction of the people who were listening, and especially seeing the wonder and awe in the faces of the choir!  
The overwhelming beauty of the Cathedrals, Chapels and Abbeys… Ely, Salisbury, Coventry, St. Paul’s, St. James, St. Martin in the Fields, St. James Picadilly, Bath and Westminster.
The quiet holiness of the simpler spaces like St. Nicholas Parish Church in Witham, and the Salisbury Methodist church.
Getting to experience much of the “MOST AMAZING BIRTHDAY EVER!!!!!” with my Madeline.
Watching the students jump for joy together.
“Les Miserables”, on stage, in London, WOW.
Finding our room or the lobby at the Red Lion Inn using different routes each time and never meeting anyone else or the ghost. (Thank goodness!)
Getting acquainted with members of the group in casual, formal, game-playing, picture taking, meal sharing times--what a pleasure!
Viewing from a distance the ethereal Stonehenge with an unbelievably clear blue sky and the snow accenting its avenue.

And the most overriding joy of my trip was being invited to hear the always lovely and at the last concert exquisite music the students were able to deliver.  Many times the conditions were not ideal, or warm, or comfortable, but under Aimee’s direction (or spell as one audience member suspected), beautiful and transforming music was produced!  Congratulations to you all!

Thank you seems like a simple phrase to express the strong sentiments that I feel after returning to the real world.  Allowing me to have this experience, to share it with all of you and in particular with my daughters Melissa and Madeline, and with my mother, has been one of the greatest gifts of my life.  That being said, I humbly repeat, “Thank you” with tears in my eyes and love in my heart.

                                     You have no idea how sincerely,
                                     Kathi Judge