“The Minnesota Orchestra’s five-city tour to South Africa in August 2018 was one of the most important musical and emotional experiences of my life. To feel, to see and to hear how the audiences celebrated with all of the performers deeply touched my heart. Another highlight of the trip was to see the young musicians of the South African National Youth Orchestra and the Cape Town Youth Philharmonic playing together with the Minnesota Orchestra musicians. I am sure that we all are going to remember the sound of those side-by-side rehearsals forever. I am incredibly grateful to Classical Movements for such a huge job to make this tour happen. All of the preparation–including the commissioning of a new work–to perform in sold-out concerts is indescribable. What an incredibly memorable trip…thank you, thank you, thank you!”
-Osmo Vänskä | Music Director, Minnesota Orchestra
“What a trip: music, social work, scenery, pioneering performances in Swaziland, food, drink, and history! Johan, our guide, was terrific.”
–Dr. Thomas Duffy | Professor of Music & Director of Bands, Yale University
“Thank you for your tireless energy and enthusiasm over the past few weeks. You have made our festival experience truly amazing and we have some wonderful memories. We can now say we ‘have been everywhere!’ I look forward to seeing you at the future Classical Movements festivals.”
-Rachel Walker | Choir Member, Daley Road Singers, 2012
“This tour was such a success that I wish to make this trip to South Africa a regular rotation for future choral tours. We feel confident that we can continue to learn and enrich our experience in this beautiful country in the capable hands of Classical Movements.”
–Gisele T. Becker | Director of Choral Activities, George Washington University Singers, 2009
“You did such a spectacular job of following the ever-moving target in the months before the trip, finding us the venues we needed and working with us to make the tour the enormous success that it was. And then once the tour began, there you were, always thinking of how to improve things, quietly taking care of the problems, form lost tuxes to too-many Delft passengers. There are many smiling YAC faces as a result of your hard work and great competence.”
–Sherry Agar | President, Yale Alumni Chorus Foundation, 2007
“The Children’s Chorus of Washington has just returned from the 2010 Ihlombe! South African Choral Festival, and choristers, chaperones and staff all agreed that this was the most enriching and life-changing tour we have taken. The shared concerts with the other international choruses and the South African choirs were musically exciting. We at CCW are grateful to Classical Movements for having the vision to plan and carry out all the details that made this such a memorable tour.”
–Joan Gregoryk | Music Director, Children’s Chorus of Washington, 2010
“I am amazed at how many sights we were able to see, places we were able to visit, and great meals we were able to share, quite apart from the gathering of the choirs and their musical experiences together. Tour guides were wonderful. You all do an excellent job. Thank you.”
–Heather Keith | Staff, New Zealand Secondary Students Choir, 2008
“You just don’t know how exciting it was working with the kids of the two choirs from the USA namely the St. Mark’s Choir from Texas and the Miami Children’s Choir. It was one of the most enjoyable sessions we have ever had. Classical Movements is making leaps and bounds in promoting not only music but cultural diversity, sharing, and appreciation of humanity. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.”
–George Mxadana | Director, Imilonji kaNthu Choral Society, 2011
“I have toured many countries, but never have experienced such a professional relationship with a tour organization. Memories of a perfect itinerary, round-the-clock assistance, unforgettable memories of cordial encounters, impressive landscapes, and great concerts remain with us.”
–Christoph Bachmann, Founder & Director of Choirs, Jugendchor Konservatorium Winterthur, 2011
“South Africa is an extraordinary destination for choral music, and the team at Classical Movements helped us create an unforgettable trip. The musical collaborations and the extra musical experiences were superb. The great beauty of the country, the wild life, the high standards of hotels, meals and venues and the warmth of the people were better than we could have wished for.”
–Jeffrey Douma | Music Director, Yale Alumni Chorus, 2007
