The USA was RQ’s first long tour and, for a group of young boys, many of whom had never been out of Europe, the prospect of such a trip was truly exhilarating. It was quite a busy tour, without a boring moment, with even coach travel kept bearable with classics such as Wall-E and Star Wars. The plane journeys were relatively agreeable, and although jetlag was present on the first couple of days, we certainly appreciated the free time that we had to explore New York. The buzz of the Big Apple was perfectly displayed by limousine rides and a walk through Times Square.

All of our concerts were well received (New York, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Columbia, Charleston and Atlanta), with standing ovations on almost every occasion. Luxurious hotels were the finest that any current chorister had experienced; few had come across microwaves in the rooms. In all of our locations, we were met with extremely kind hospitality, with many of our meals being catered for by the churches in which we were singing. South Carolina had beautiful scenery, which was revealed by brilliant weather; a particular highlight was the Charleston Battery. At our final destination, we had an amazing time at the Georgia Aquarium. Whale sharks, exotic fish, rays, and much more were on all-too-vivid display.

For all of the choristers, it was a tour to remember, as the very best was made of two weeks abroad. From leaving Savile Road on a cloudy Mothering Sunday to returning in glorious April sunshine, it was a fantastic experience. EB