The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plains"(a reference from the musical "My Fair Lady". However, [Wednesday, March 22, 2017] it was not rain, it was snow!! After flying from Little Rock to Dallas on Monday, March 20th, we departed Dallas in the mid-afternoon for the 9 hour flight to Madrid, Spain. We had 5 or 6 students who had never flown before, so it was interesting to watch their reactions. The flight out of Little Rock was a bit bumpy because we were on the smaller commuter jet, but the trans-Atlantic flight was on a Boeing 787...9 seats across; so it was smooth sailing. 

We arrived in Madrid to temperatures around 70 degrees. The students are aware of the significance of this cultural/educational/performance trip. Madrid is the capital and the largest city in Spain. Our main tour guide has presented the history of Spain as we have traveled throughout the city, both the historical context of the Spanish monarchy and the contemporary 20th and 21st century contexts. History has come alive because I had forgotten how dominant and strong the Spanish were as they sought to dominate the world (discoveries, conquests, riches, politics, the visual arts, etc.). Spain is a monarchy and it is a strongly Catholic country. Our tour guide has explained about the growth of the city of Madrid over the past thousand plus years, about the Moorish conquest and cultural influence, about the politics of Franco and his fascism and the changes in the country since his death with regard to the country's modernization and integration into the European community. There are palaces large and small all over Madrid, and new construction abounds. The students are being challenged culturally and educationally, by the food, by the money (the Euro), by television (it is so different with regard to programming), by language, by transportation and traffic within the city (cars, crazy/daring drivers and motor scooters), by the architectural history, by the artwork, by the bothersome and ever present gypsies, and the old juxtaposed against the new, to name a few challenges. 

The Prado Museum was more than impressive! The students had an art history lesson with regard to subjects of paintings, styles, techniques, religious history and the influence of religion on the visual arts from the 14th to the 21st centuries.

Our first concert was Wednesday night (March 22nd) at the church of San Manual y San Benito. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century in neo-Byzantine style (check it out on Google). The sanctuary is stunningly beautiful and ornate. We performed for a large (100+) and appreciative audience. They rewarded the Choir with an extended and enthusiastic standing ovation at the end of the concert. 

Thursday morning we sang at El Escorial, the royal palace. We entertained and were entertained by the students (their boy choir--elementary through high school) at the monastery school. From what I understand, this was a prestigious venue. At the end the student wanted to take pictures with us..they were so excited, as were our students. The students then went on a tour of the castle, including the crypt where all the kings and queens and members or the royal family (over the centuries) are interred. The Pantheon of kings includes all the kings on one side and the queens on the other. The exception to the kings being on one side is Queen Isabella II (of Chris Columbus fame) who is buried with the queens. So much to talk about. 

Friday, we travel south to the summer palace at Aranjuez. The land north of Madrid (which is at the center of Spain) is quite arid; however, the land to the south is extremely fertile. Lost of agriculture...vegetables, melons, olives (Spain has over 3.5 million olive trees). Though the Italians have the greatest commerce in olive oil, they get their olives from Spain. The royal families built one of their summer residences in Aranjuez and the town (where the workers lived) grew up around the palace. It is huge! On one side was built the expansive quarters where the soldiers lived who protected the king when he was in residence. We toured through many rooms in the palace...the concert hall, the music room, formal dance room, the smoking room, the queen's bedroom, her make-up room and "office", the king's Throne Room, etc. There were striking contrasts between the more austere palace of the royal family in the north (El Escorial) and the more opulent, luxurious palace in the south (Aranjuez). I had forgotten my history lessons and had forgotten  
how rich and powerful the Spanish kings and (Queen Isabella I and II) were. At one point they ruled most of Europe and the New World (the Americas, Central America, Mexico, The Philippines, Hispaniola, Cuba, Puerto Rico, California and much of southwest US. The Spanish language, culture and architectural history remain. It was the Catholic kings united Spain. Just think, the UAPB was privileged to have the opportunity to present a recital in the Chapel of The Royal Seat of San Lorenzo de El Escorial (Royal Castle and Monastery of El Escorial) and a full concert (March 25th) at the huge Gothic cathedral (built over the former Grand Mosque) whose construction was begun in 1227. 

Enough history. Spain. Spain. Spain; hills, hills, hills; walking, walking, walking; stairs, stairs, stairs; narrow streets, cold and damp;
bathrooms, bathrooms, We Need a Bathroom!  Problems...English, English, we need a translator who speaks any kind(broken, fractured, 
Pigeon or The Kings) we need someone to translate this menu, or we can't eat. Oh, I can't forget the bidet...what, how, why? Where's the manual? These were some of the challenges we faced in Spain and that will be confronted in international travel. Our students got a great dose. 

Saturday, March 25th, our concert at the Cathedral in Toledo was a tremendous success. I was told that at least 225 people were in attendance. There was sustained applause after almost each selection, and a prolonged standing ovation at the end. We even did an encore when they didn't stop applauding. Our videographer, alumnus Mr. Willie Everett has captured all of this on video and it will be shared. 

The only concluding drama occurred when we attempted to leave Spain on Sunday and they would not let one of our students leave the country because she had lost her passport. So, I had to stay an extra day with her until the Embassy, American Airlines ad the Spanish Police worked out the details worked out the details to allow her to go...Thanks be to God. Through it all, American Airlines was great!! 

I can't say enough about how blessed we are to have had Ms. Joyce Bracy Vaughan, our Official Chaperone, with us. She helps keep me firmly grounded with sage advice, clarity of thinking and a genuine love for our students and for what is in the best interests of "Dear Mother". Thanks also go to our Assistant Director, Mr. Andee Book, and to our Musical Assistant, Mr. Jerron Liddell. 

The students have been great, as has been as the staff...Ms. Vaughn, Mr. Book, and Mr. Liddell. Our videographer, Mr. Everett, will have a great video representation of our trip. Peace and thanks to all who made this possible.

---

Contact Us

Dr. Michael J. Bates, Director
UAPB Vesper Choir
1200 N. University, Mail Slot #4956
Pine Bluff, AR  71601
batesm@uapb.edu
Office: 870-575-8907