The alumni chorus has departed for Japan! Click on the button below to see photos submitted live from the tour. The latest update was on May 7, 2018.
Building on the happy circumstance of a string of eleven collaborations between alumni of the Harvard Glee Club and the “Old Boys” of the Kyoto University Men's Glee Club—especially 2016's very successful San Francisco week—we are pleased and excited to announce the next set of concerts in this series that began in 1990. Mike McGaghie '01 has agreed to reprise his inspiring conducting gig. We'll perform in two cities this time: Kobe and Takamatsu (across the inland sea on Shikoku), Thursday, 3 May 2018, and then Sunday, 6 May 2018.
Alumni Chorus Ten-Night Rehearsal and Concert program
Cost per person in shared room: $1,690*
Cost per person in single room: $2,990*
Includes:
7 nights at Kobe Crowne Plaza Hotel including breakfasts
3 nights at Takamatsu Clement Hotel including breakfasts
* Prices do not include round-trip US-Japan airfare.
Member Dues
$550.00 Alumni Chorus Member Dues paid to HGCF will cover Cambridge rehearsals with lunch, conductor travel expenses, music/supplies, mailings, rehearsal and concert venues, two post-concert receptions, concert recording, group photo, commemorative gift, as well as the May 4 group transfer from Kobe to Takamatsu including a tea ceremony at Takamatsu’s Ritsurin Garden. Accompanying family members will be quoted a price for the receptions, group transfer, etc., and this will be paid directly to HGCF. Scores will be sent to you—some by mail, others digitally via email—only after we have received payment of your member dues. Please pay your dues promptly so that you can begin learning your scores well in advance of our Cambridge rehearsals.
There are limited scholarship opportunities available for younger alumni for the Alumni Chorus tour. Please email info@hgcfoundation.org to inquire.
Cambridge Rehearsals
Alumni Chorus rehearsals will be convened in Holden Chapel on two weekends prior to the concert trip.
Saturday, February 24
9:30am-5:00pm (lunch included)
Sunday, February 25
9:00am-1:00pm
Saturday, March 24
9:30am-5:00pm (lunch included)
Sunday, March 25
9:00am-1:00pm
2018 HARVARD GLEE CLUB ALUMNI CHORUS ITINERARY
Thursday, April 26
HGC AC members depart from home to Japan
Friday, April 27
Arrive in Japan at an Osaka area airport (OSA is regional code):
Kobe Airport (UKB) (only one evening flight from Tokyo)
Osaka Itami Airport (ITM) (40 minutes from Kobe)
Osaka Kansai International (KIX) (1 hour, 5 minutes from Kobe)
By train from a Tokyo airport or elsewhere in Japan
Transfer on own to Kobe hotel adjoining Shinkansen bullet train station (instructions will be provided)
Check into Kobe hotel for 7-night stay
Planned hotel: ANA Crowne Plaza Kobe at Shin-Kobe Station
Note: St. Michael’s Cathedral is two stops from Shin-Kobe station by Kobe subway
Saturday, April 28
9:00-11:00 am: HGC AC solo rehearsal at St. Michael’s Cathedral (tent.)
Afternoon/Evening free
Sunday, April 29
Morning/Early-Afternoon free
3:00-5:00 pm: HGC AC solo rehearsal at St. Michael’s Cathedral (tent.)
Monday, April 30
9:00-11:00 am: HGC AC solo rehearsal at St. Michael’s Cathedral (tent.)
3:00-5:00 pm: HGC AC solo rehearsal at St. Michael’s Cathedral (tent. if needed.)
KGC will arrange half-day excursions for spouses/family/friends during rehearsal
Tuesday, May 1
Free Day
Optional full-day Himeji Castle & Sake Factory Excursion - $120 per person
(KGC members and family also invited)
Included: bus, guide, admissions to castle and sake factory
Not included: lunch
The hilltop Himeji Castle was built in 1346 - with its 83 buildings, it is considered the finest surviving castle in Japan
Wednesday, May 2
1:30 pm-3:30 pm: HGC solo rehearsal at St. Michael’s Cathedral
4:00 pm-7:00 pm: HGC-KGC joint rehearsal
Alternate activities offered if sufficient non-rehearsal time
KGC will arrange half-day excursions for spouses/family/friends during rehearsal
Thursday, May 3
Concert in Kobe, followed by Welcome Party at church (times to be announced)
Friday, May 4
Check out of Kobe hotel in morning
Joint transfer for KGC and HGC AC groups from Kobe to Takamatsu by charter bus, arranged by KGC AC
Lunch stop (on your own)
Visit Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu (for all HGC and KGC singers and guests)
1:00-2:00 pm: sightseeing in the garden
2:00-3:00 pm: tea ceremony in the garden
Check into JR Hotel Clement Takamatsu for 3-night stay including breakfast
Saturday, May 5
Rehearsal day at Rexxam Hall (Rehearsal Room) (www.kenminhall.com) - Time to be announced
Optional visit to Noguchi Museum, time permitting
Sunday, May 6
Morning rehearsals (joint and solo) at Rexxam Hall Rehearsal Room
2:00 pm-4:00 pm: Takamatsu concert at Rexxam Hall
5:00 pm-7:00 pm: Post-concert reception at JR Hotel Clement Takamatsu
Monday, May 7
End of performance itinerary
Morning check-out from JR Hotel Clement
For those with time, morning HGC/KGC International Exchange at Fujii Gakuen High School in Marugame (near Takamatsu)
HGC AC members start home (arriving home the same day) or begin extension
Option 1 (flight to Haneda): there are 13 flights a day from Takamatsu (TAK) to Haneda, from which there are now numerous flights to the
Option 2 (flight to Haneda, with connection to Narita): there is frequent non-stop bus service from Haneda to Narita (as of January 2018, there are no Takamatsu-Narita flights scheduled for May 7)
TOURING OPTIONS DURING REHEARSAL & CONCERT WEEK:
These are things non-singers may wish to do during free time while singers rehearse:
From Kobe (by train): Shin-Kobe to Kyoto is 28 minutes by Nozomi
From Takamatsu: ferry to Naoshima and/or Teshima for Benesse Art Site
Noguchi Museum near Takamatsu only open Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Various sights in Takamatsu, such as more extensive visit to Ritsurin Garden
OPTIONAL PRE- AND POST- CONCERT TOURING OPTIONS:
We are pleased to be able to offer opportunities for exploring the beauty and culture of Japan with both a pre-concert tour and post-concert tour extensions. Click on the link below to download more information.
ALUMNI CHORUS PRE AND POST EXTENSION TOURING OPTIONS
If you are interested in learning more about the tour or have any questions, please email jgiessler@hgcfoundation.org.
Also, if you prefer to download all of the information on this page in a single PDF document, please click HERE.
