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15th December 2012

Autumn Tour

It is time for a well-needed blog of our recent Libera tours. Haven’t done one in a while, so I need to blow the dust off the typewriter*. (An ancient writing tool.)

In the half term of our school days, we were looking forward to yet another trip to Ireland. Two boys especially looking forward to it were Alessandro and Anthony KM, awaiting their first trip away with the group.

We packed our bags, said our goodbyes and boarded our plane to Northern Ireland. It was weird because we were so used to l-o-n-g haul flights across the world, except now we didn’t have to go that far. It was a nice change. I still fell asleep though.

img_0686We landed, and booked into where we were staying. It was very nice, with plenty of space for us boys to unleash our energy. Unpacking the bags, seeing if there were enough bed sheets: we went through again the usual routine.

Upon being well rested, we woke the next day singing. Like literally, we had a quick rehearsal to make sure our voices were in tiptop condition. When we weren’t rehearsing, we had quite a lot of time. Plenty of rest and relaxation to balance out the hard work!

Most of our free time was spent in the grounds playing some table tennis, gathering around the old Nintendo 64 and a chance for the unlucky ones who had homework to get some of it done. Snooker and football (or soccer if you prefer) were also available, with a special Libera twist of silent football: we didn’t want to lose our voices of course. Silent football is rather interesting really, telling the other people on your team that you would like the ball, or that you did not think much of their recent pass, without speaking, means using special dance moves and hand waving.

Of course, the other free time is generally just before a concert, where we get to relax and rest, probably reading or playing various handheld games. That’s quite fun too, as the lazy people sleep and the rest link up through the handheld devices, and the next thing you know you have ‘Giant Libera Mario Kart’ on the go. It’s good because we’re nice and hyped up for the concerts.

Ah yes, the concerts. Our first one was at St Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral in Armagh on the first of November. After walking up the many many steps it was a lovely sight, and it had a brilliant acoustic. It was so much fun hearing our voices echo – that always makes things more interesting. As concerts go, it’s usually a sound check before we’re on stage, full show. This was Alessandro’s and Anthony’s first time performing, and they did a pretty good job!

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The concert went well, and it was lovely to perform again. The second concert we did was at St Peter’s cathedral in Belfast. It was very nice too, also equipped with a variation on acoustic. That was only the day after the first, so it was very exciting. We had some new songs and some that Libera haven’t performed for a while, like ‘Voca Me’. Tom DL had to sing a top D a couple of times in that – which is about our highest note ever unless you count the ones that went higher by accident.

When it comes to bedtime on nights where we didn’t have a concert, we usually spent them watching a film. We started the holiday off with many episodes of BBC’s Sherlock, which got my compatriots thinking a little. We watched many other films each night, which was a nice touch to the end of each day.

After the concerts were over, we could relax a little. In fact, Saturday was very interesting. We spent the morning going to The Titanic Exhibition, which I must say was truly fantastic.

We approached the star shape building, and we were greeted by a lovely Puss-in-Boots (it was world fairytale day or something like that) who meowed at us and led us through the building. We were first met by information on Ireland, the production of linen and things. This set the scene, as we moved on to a rather interesting rollercoaster-type ride which showed us how the Titanic was built.

We then moved on to an interesting section on life in the Titanic. Movies and diagrams on the different rooms, different roles, different jobs. It was a lot to take in. Next came the facts about all the rats, and the workers, the classes of stay. And finally came the Titanic wreck, with lots of us playing with computers looking at old hairbrushes and shoes from the sunken ship. I didn’t even know it had a twin ship called the Olympic: you learn something new everyday. A quick visit to the museum shop, and we said our goodbyes to the weirdly dressed tour guides.

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img_0944We had lunch, and then went on our next adventure. To the travel museum! Some of us had been here before in our last Ireland visit, however new exhibitions were put up since then. We went around most of it, but mainly spent a main proportion of the time playing hide and seek with all the steam trains. We saw the different cars too. The seats on the trains were pretty uncomfortable though; don’t know how they managed that back then. After our visit to the travel museum, we made our way back to dinner. After dinner though, it was time for some of the older boys to show off what they had been preparing in time for the evening: The legend of Johnny Longface.  The tale of a man with a horse’s head, complete with video and costume, ensured a lovely end to the evening. It had us running obstacle courses, taking our chances with card games, playing a form of ping-pong with cups, and of course having a go at the old ‘Longface’ quiz. After which all the teams had completed their tasks to receive clues on who Johnny Longface was, he being a member of the team. It was all good fun, and it left us willing to sleep.

We woke up Sunday, ready to do mass back at St Peter’s cathedral. That was really fun, as we got to sing with the cathedral boys choir. It was a pleasure to sing with them, and we had a chat with a few of them afterwards. We sing in a lot of churches, but this was quite special.
Finally, when it was all over, we packed our bags for the second time and headed back home. It was good fun going to Northern Ireland again, and it was a nice break in our school holidays.

So there you have it. But wait. The blog isn’t over yet.

We still have to talk about our concert down in London! Oh yes, the one at St. Georges Cathedral. We were all very excited to perform at home and it was even more special as some of our miniboys had their first taste of singing on stage, and they said they enjoyed it.

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After the concert ended though, it was time for an all-new celebration. We were all invited to Mr Roberto De Campo (OBE)’s celebration party for receiving his OBE. That’s Order of the British Empire. He is a good friend to us, and so we all went to celebrate with him.The food was laid out in platters, and there was a mighty fine cake with a shiny cake version of an OBE medal. We even got to meet the Philippine Ambassador. Good Job Mr. D! (That’s what we call him). Some of us even took platters of the little cakes home. We didn’t want to waste them.

So that was a nice end to our run of performances. And also and end to this update of the blog. Ah, the Christmas spirit is dwelling in the air. We can’t wait.


32 Comments on “Autumn Tour

Catherine
16th December 2012 at 2:14 am

Hi Libera, such a nice blog, thanks for sharing with us ! I’m glad to know you were having a good time. May God bless you and take care 🙂

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Winx
16th December 2012 at 9:22 am

Good Job Mr. Secret Blogger. 🙂 Thanks for the update boys. Congratulations Mr. D for the OBE. Keep it up guys. Have a wonderful Christmas and an awesome 2013! ^___^

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cede
16th December 2012 at 9:29 am

Glad you enjoyed your tour! and it was great seeing some pictures 😀

I miss everyone and I hope you’ll come back to the Philippines and perform 😀

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Mery Dewi Hutahaean
16th December 2012 at 10:03 am

Looks like it was a fantastic Journey. You guys should visit Indonesia one day , many places to be visited 🙂

enjoy your every trip my lovely boys and keep music and school rock!

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Kovar Palach
16th December 2012 at 1:39 pm

Libera great choir. My English not so good. Keep singing boys

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Ian Wotherspoon
17th December 2012 at 3:15 am

To the secret Bloger: Again, thank you for taking the time out on your busy schedule to write this blog so all of us can read all about your recent visit to Ireland and then back home for one last concert. I so enjoy reading about all the fun you guys have when touring and I like the bit about the acoustics in both churches as well as the echo. I use to enjoy listening to the echo as well when I sang in our Cathedral choir oh so many years ago now. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and I pray a blessing over each and every member of Libera to that you will have a safe and wonderful 2013.

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thelma l. guzman
17th December 2012 at 12:30 pm

~~thank you, libera for sharing. for sure everyone’s gearing up for the holidays! looking forward to your asian tour next year. philippines?

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Annette Barlow
18th December 2012 at 12:07 pm

Thank you for your blog. It’s really good to hear about what happens on a tour, and to know that you all have such a happy time. I am just wondering though, how on earth do you hit a note higher than top D ‘by accident”!! I visited the Titanic Exhibition in Singapore. I thought that it was amazing too – and very sad. Have a wonderful Christmas & I look forward to an exciting blog next Easter. God Bless.

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Van
20th December 2012 at 8:08 am

you guys are amazing ,Libera .By the way MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR ^^

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Arthy
20th December 2012 at 4:29 pm

Would you please come to Bangkok?

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Stefan
24th December 2012 at 8:50 pm

Libera is a perfect and a great chor. I wish a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, from Germany

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Ray Johnson
27th December 2012 at 10:35 am

Thank you for sharing your great voices with us all. Your Christmas Alban was great, so was all the over CD you have made over the years. I listen to them all the time it is so relaxing to listen to.
I wish you all a safe and happy new year, Keep singing

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Ed Calvin
30th December 2012 at 5:15 pm

Happy New Year boys and keep that great music coming. We need and love Libera!

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Jane Pearl Galido Monforte
3rd January 2013 at 11:49 am

Dear Libera, I wish that you will have a concert again here in the Philippines so that the others who have not seen your concert last years will see u in person and sing with ur beautiful angelic voices and Songs . 😀 I/we want to see u to have a live concert in Phil 😀 well if u give us some chance to watch u live .. It would be nice if u visit again here in the Phil. :DDDD
Love, Jane Pearl Galido Monforte

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Juan Pablo
11th January 2013 at 6:19 pm

Felicidades!
Son un grupo espléndido.
Me han dejado cautivado.
Sigan cantándole a él.

Dios los bendiga.

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couturier ludovic
19th January 2013 at 6:40 pm

merci beaucoup a tous et surtout aux enfants qui ont une voie magnifiques.
Je vous est découvert il y a deux semaines et je vous écoutes chaque minutes
J’espère pouvoir venir vous voir en concert chez mais na pas de dates.
merci encore a vous

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carolyn sielski
22nd January 2013 at 1:21 am

This is the very first time that I heard your group and it made me cry throughtout because the beauty and purity of your sound. Quite extraordinary! Do you all realize that this experience is in your life for only a brief time? I wanted to bottle my experience with you and never let it go. Thank you so much!! When will you be in New York again?

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Kelly Chuang
23rd January 2013 at 7:14 am

Wow!! That’s marvellous!! You are coming to Taiwan?! I can’t wait now!!!!!!!!
Happy New Years, you guys~
See you in Taiwan~:D You’re really a great choir, you all have a gift for voice. All the time, I go up to “youtube’ to see if there has your new videos or songs, always thinks you’re the great choir in the world~
hope you can be more and more good~
GO GO GO !!
I’ll be your supporter, always!!!!!!♥♥

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Patricia Sager
24th January 2013 at 6:21 pm

Dear kids,

I love you!!! You guys are wonderful, awesome… Every time I listen to your voices I am deeply touched. You are God sent to us all! Bless you, wishing you the best in your tours and your personal lives.
Thank you for the beautiful work you do!
When are you planning a tour through South America?
Hugs!
Patricia

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Ed Calvin
1st February 2013 at 6:17 am

I keep watching for your visit to Western USA and hopefully close to Portland or Seattle. It would be incredible to see you perform here in the Pacific Northwestern USA.

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Michael
10th February 2013 at 10:26 am

Hello! Do you plan to address your choir in Russia?

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Catrina
17th February 2013 at 4:29 am

I really hope Libera coming to Shanghai again! Because I haven’t enough vacation to the other countries to the concerts.So disappointed!

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Léanne
4th March 2013 at 10:11 pm

Hi Libera!
I really, really love your songs!! My favorite song of Libera is Adoramus. That sound so beautiful!! I hope you are going to Holland for a concert. Further, I love singing and listening music. I’m also singing at a choir. (for instance, not a boychoir:P, because I’m a girl:))

Bye, Léanne

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Asha
5th March 2013 at 10:13 am

I really really REALLY wish you guys would come back here to the Philippines! <3 The Philippines misses you! 🙂

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Alan De Wolfe
13th March 2013 at 2:44 pm

Every superlative has been used in reference to Libera – I won’t rehash.
Suffice to say, I’ll add my voice to the raving crowds that surround you. Best always.

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Ed Calvin
15th March 2013 at 7:50 pm

Life is Good listening and watching the ever Amazing special talents from Libera boys of London. Thank You all!

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Martin Byrne
29th March 2013 at 11:52 am

I can’t help wondering if ones so young realise the immense joy they bring by, what to them is, simply opening their mouths and singing. I do hope so as the sound they make is truly wonderful.

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pham the binh
29th March 2013 at 4:27 pm

thank you very much , thank for singing , every thing should be charge when i heard your voices .it ‘s very nice to know your destination is TAIWAN .
i hope i will meet you when i come TAIWAN .
SEE YOU next time in TAIWAN .
GIVE ALL LOVE TO YOU

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FEDERICA
30th March 2013 at 10:40 pm

I’m absolutely in love with Libera! Their music is superlative, really an angel music…
will josh keep singing with libera in 2013? I hope yes because i’m waiting for Libera for a concert in Italy and …without him it would be not the same….<3 <3

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Alondra
1st April 2013 at 10:30 am

Yous are doing a great job,Keep it up! Stay strong and never stop singing! You have a great voice(: PS:When will you tour at the U.S in Illinois?

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Ray Johnson
6th May 2013 at 3:29 am

Some bright young man may be able to put all your concerts on a DVD? As many of us will never be able to attend one of your concerts. I have one DVD and 4 CDs but would like to watch your concerts.
Thank you for your great voices
Ray Johnson
Australia

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Onawa McCray
24th June 2013 at 9:35 pm

Hi Libera! I’m so glad that you enjoyed your tour! <3 i loved the pictures and videos too, you have great taste of writing! and i miss you and i love you guys! ^^ and i was very happy because you all had fun 😀 talk to you later! love you!! 🙂

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