We were due a lie in after the late night coming back from Macau, so we were given a whole 45 minutes extra in bed. After yet another big breakfast we walked across the road (very convenient) to the cultural centre for a rehearsal ahead of the big meeting with Slatkin/The boss/Incredible conductor/maestro Slatkin. Theo Peters was quick to point out that the Eton Music page actually has more followers than Leonard (or Lenny to close friends) on twitter but we could only speculate as to whether he would live up to the furore which we had built up around him.
With a fairly standard warmup from Ms Kemp we began to rehearse the Bernstein. It became immediately obvious that this was no ordinary rehearsal- all tempo markings were the same as Slatkin’s (the Slat’s) recording and we were frequently reminded that we would have to be looking up 80% of the time and that he expected us to “get stuff just like that *click of fingers*” This would obviously be no mean feat. It was also clear that Mr Johnson was a long-time fan of Slatkin- as we would later find out. Most worrying in that rehearsal was when Mr Johnson pointed out someone’s “extreme unmusicality” on one of the soaring lines from the second basses- all members of the engine room (of which Isaac Cowley cannot really claim a part – he is a first bass after all) obviously denied such horrific action. The investigation continues.
It was time for our independent, free time, lunch at leisure where we could explore the many culinary options on offer in this beautiful city. We were given two options which we should attend in groups: either McDonalds (culture!); or Café de Coral, basically Chinese McDonalds (oh the culture!). It was obvious that we were under extreme time pressure- we only had an hour and a half till we had to be back for the rehearsal- so the logic behind the decision was clear. However, a few people had their own ideas, namely half the choir, who went for some lovely dumplings in a nice little place next door. The other half of the choir visited McDonalds where I’m told that Wilki Dent had a bit of trouble carrying his coke- instead of washing down his burger with the drink he instead decided to wash the floor with it!
Nevertheless, after we had forced down our dumplings at high speed (and Alex Coley, after his questionable sleeping techniques yesterday, now demonstrated an entirely new way of eating noodles- hardly using chopsticks or any other utensil at all…) the whole choir convened on the ground floor of the mall where our numbering off caused mass alarm- we were asked to move by security while other shoppers gave us a wide berth.
To the surprise of many, Will’s girlfriend (no not his friend from the girl’s school) suddenly turned up. She is from Hong Kong after all. He couldn’t help but have a date put into his calendar only for the two-option rule to force them into a romantic fast food feast. How picturesque!
We returned to the Cultural Centre where we were lucky enough to sight Slatkin rehearsing the orchestra before our grand entrance. Excitement was high and we were all on edge- just how incredible would he be? We took our places in the hall. The conditions were not ideal: Lenny was sat what seemed 100m away from where we were sitting; and Mr Goode’s piano playing (a similar distance away) was barely audible above the large choir, bolstered by the addition of a few sopranos and our other esteemed guests.
It was a fairly standard rehearsal with Mr Slatkin but I was particularly overawed with the business like manner with which he was able to recount all the details of the piece which he wanted improved. We reacted well and managed to overcome most of the difficult aspects to the rehearsal although on a few occasions in the last movement, we sang so flat that Mr Johnson would later say that he would have nightmares about it.
After the orchestra joined, we then had another similar rehearsal the most awkward moment of which came when Slatkin asked his assistant in the audience how it sounded, but Mr Johnson, keen to express how well we were singing and unaware of the other man, said “great, great” and gave a thumbs up much to the amusement of us all. Indeed, we and Mr Johnson must have made an impression with the big dog, head man, Leonard Slatkin as he was summoned (“the maestro wants to see you”) for a quick meeting after the rehearsal. Apparently, he was very complimentary of our efforts and requested to practice an encore for the night. We can only assume that Mr Johnson asked for an autograph or selfie in return.
We had a leisurely afternoon either sleeping or relaxing by the pool. It was during this time that I was honoured enough to have an exclusive interview with the elusive ‘Alex’s iPhone.’ He asked to have his identity hidden for legal reasons.
What made you decide on that specific name for your phone?
No comment
What’s your favourite tie?
Quack quack. (the duck tie)
Are the rumours true that you are F blocker Alex McGinn?
I can neither confirm nor deny these rumours.
Is that a no?
No comment
How many photos of Isaac Cowley do you have on your phone?
No comment
END
Enlightening stuff there.
It was then that we came to one of the highlights of the tour- dinner on a ship which would take us around Hong Kong harbour. This was a great occasion and under instructions for “smart casual…no trainers” we all arrived ready to go in the lobby (there was a perfect numbering off too). Not quite all however, Isaac Cowley decided that baggy shorts and trainers was acceptable but whatever, maybe he’s just trying to get a mention in the blog…
We boarded the boat, questionably named Rainbow Star (?), and began to drive through the harbour towards our mooring. It was on this journey that we snapped many, many pictures of the sunset, received a photography lesson from the fountain of knowledge George Vines and worried that Jack Finnis might be getting drunk on 7UP.
We then got onto dinner. It was immediately obvious that this was going to be some great food when Tom Pickard was heard saying “it’s well decent.” Indeed, it was. We sat on deck for the next hour while F block and similarly sized Theo Peters, on a serious sugar high from all the soft drinks, began to talk louder and louder. After a delicious trifle we motored back to the harbour, viewing the lights show which was really impressive though strange without any musical accompaniment. After disembarking we had two perfect numbering offs within the space of 5 minutes and were in high spirits as we walked back to the hotel for a good night’s sleep.
A huge thank you must also go to the Salata’s for hosting us- it was a great evening!
Eton College Chapel Choir Tour 2019 