I said I would not be posting until the fall; and while that remains to be true, I am breaking my ‘rule’ by posting about singing in Sicily with Serenades Choral Travel—a trip that was three years in the making. Just got back a few days ago. In a word? It was wonderful. Truly wonderful.

It was wonderful to sing with colleagues, old friends and new (the program has a way of bonding people together), visit four wineries, three cities, and sing good music. We’re talking twelve days full of absolute fun. Yeah. It was hot a bit of the time, but the heat was dry: you could wash out some clothes, set them out on the drying rack on your balcony (we all had one), and everything would be dry in a few hours.

Speaking of which: I tried something new this time. I traveled light. Really light. This meant three merino wool shirts, a cotton shirt, two pairs of shorts, one pair of linen pants, a pair of jeans for the plane, black performance slacks, black shoes, and a pair of Ecco walking shoes.

Next time?

I am cutting the jeans and the cotton shirt and taking a fourth merino wool shirt. (One of my three was a black performance shirt.) They really are perfect for travel. Everything went into a carry-on. No checking for this boy. As it is, one of our number lost his luggage and only got it back after he got back home.

Now, about the singing.

We sang with masks. Rehearsed with them too. No-one minded. In fact, everyone was kind and considerate of each other. And I must stress this point: the kindness and goodness of everyone was beautiful to behold. It really was a remarkable group of people, besides being a mix of professionals and dedicated avocational singers. Everything came together in four days of rehearsal. Did I mention it was a really good choir?

And I sang my ass off. After the third day, I felt that shift that happens when you have been singing steadily and everything goes to a higher level. Of course, this only happens when you know what you’re doing; and suffice it to say: I do.

No modesty as far as that goes. No bragging either. It’s simply the result of a lifetime of study and teaching. It’s what happens when you work at it and learn to be your own teacher. It’s what I tell every singer who comes to me.

My job is to help you be your own teacher.

I could say a great deal more about this trip; but instead, will let my photographs do the talking—and will end with my thanks to my friend Paulo Faustini, the founder of Serenades Choral Travel; David Hayes, our conductor; and Karen La Rosa at LaRosaWorks, who shepherded our experience.

Bravi Tutti!