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SWE Tour 2006 Info
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Saker's Tour Updates
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This will be a place to check for almost daily updates from Dr. Saker during the tripFriday May 5th, 2006
Lots of delays were the rule of the day at Eppley for Group 1 but we are on our way!
Saturday May 6th, 2006
Long flight over but we all arrived safe and sound in the capital city of Lithuania, Vilnius and were greeted by a large group of friends and colleagues from our sister university and sister city in Siauliai, Lithuania. We are tired and headed for some food and to the dormitory in Vilnius. The weather here is beautiful and the temps are in the 70s. More later once we get to our home for the night.
Monday May 8th, 2006
GREETINGS FROM LITHUANIA!
We arrived in Vilnius in good condition except for some of our luggage and most of the larger instruments left in Copenhagen because there was no room on the plane! Finally, Sunday morning the last of our equipment arrived in plenty of time for our first rehearsal and performance Sunday evening. By the way, the 50 passenger plane included our 49 member party and one Lithuanian young lady!
We were greeted by many friends from Lithuania who came to the airport to meet our flight. Then it was off our first dinner in a lovely restaurant overlooking the river. An unplanned trip back to the airport to pick up some luggage on a later flight (one of three total) followed and then off to the pedagogical university dormitory for our "deluxe" accommodation and some much needed sleep.
After a day of sightseeing in and around Vilnius expertly conducted by UNO Alum Kestutis Vedekis and his bride Liena (who were actually married in Omaha when Kestutis completed his MM degree), we met with the choirs from Vilnius University and Siaulia University for our rehearsal prior to the first concert. We had an excellent audience attend the performance that greeted each selection with enthusiastic applause. Especially well received "Yosemite Autumn" that nearly everyone in attendance who spoke with me commented on as was Dr. Beard's piccolo solo. Also, the two pieces with the choir, and of course, "Stars and Stripes Forever" were a big hit. In addition to the Lithuanian audience, we had a number Americans in the audience and guests from England and several other Baltic States.
We awoke to another beautiful morning today as we left Vilnius. Our first stop: the beautiful castle Trakai where we had a guided tour followed by a visit to one of Lithuania's most important historical sites. (Check out the links to any of these locations on our detailed tour itinerary and elsewhere on this web page.) We went off-roading with a 52 passenger coach pulling our luggage trailer through a narrow dirt trail to a beautiful picnic site where we had a great afternoon in the wooded countryside right along the river. After a lunch of BBQ chicken and fixins' (Lithuania style), we spent some time horseback riding, hiking, playing soccer, etc. Then it was off to our sister city and university in Siaulia Lithuania.
We were welcomed by students from the Studium Choir and some instrumentalists playing ethnic instruments when we pulled up to the residence hall. After getting luggage to our rooms, it was off to dinner. Tomorrow's activities include some sight seeing in Siauliai, the traditional basketball game between the US SWE and the Lithuania Studium Choir. A rehearsal in the afternoon, and then our major performance in Lithuania as a part of the International Music Festival will be held in the evening. We will once again be joined by the choirs from Vilnius and Siauliai Universities in this performance.
This is the first chance I have had to make a posting although I called in a short note to Jeff Ingraham, the official Webmaster of the SWE tour, on Saturday when we arrived. I will update you when ever I have a chance. Again, everyone appears to be doing well and seems to be in great spirits. Thanks to each of your for your support!
Dr. Saker
Wednesday May 10th, 2006
Greetings everyone,
Our busy schedule and lack of computer access the town of Siaulia has no INet cafes that we have found, the students have INet access where they are staying in campus housing but we do not where we are housed, so my only access has been to try to fit a few minutes in at the music department offices. Unfortunately their system was down the first times I tried to access email. However the system seems to be up again and I will try to get this off in the morning.
We had a great concert last night. Everything went very well, and we received enthusiastic ovations from the audience. They really did a great job! The two selections with the Lithuanian University Choirs went even better last night than they did in Vilnius. Today we had an excursion to the National Park on the Baltic Sea. Our guide gave us a detailed tour, several interesting hikes, and a thorough view of the park. We had a lovely lunch in the seaside village of Nida. Then it was off the park by ferry, and a trip to the resort city of Palanga, also on the Baltic Sea.
Thursday is our last day in Lithuania and we have another short performance as a part of the grand finale event for the International Music Festival which will end tomorrow. During the day we will have a trip to the infamous "Hill of Crosses" and other sight seeing. The students will have a few free hours then before the concert. Their evening will end with a party involving the students from all groups from several countries who are performing this week.
I received a call during dinner tonight informing me that the US Ambassador in Latvia will be attending our first concert in Riga. So we are off on Friday for Latvia with a short stop at an Italian Castle (in Latvia) on the way.
We have one student who is having some allergy problems, but his dad called today to tell me medicine was on the way to Latvia. Another has had some contact issues, and he was going to call his folks this evening to try to resolve them. Otherwise everyone seems to be having a great trip. Several students have commented to me already on the great tour and we still have a long way to go.
I should let you know that our Lithuanian friends have been terrific! They have done a great job assisting with our tour and many new friendships are developing.
Next post hopefully from Latvia!
Best regards to all,
Dr. Saker
Friday May 12th, 2006
Greetings from Latvia,
Our Lithuania visit concluded yesterday with some sight seeing in the morning at the Hill of Crosses and a Historical museum. The students had a few hours of free time, a rare occurrence in the afternoon before our final concert performance. We played a shortened version of our program that was enthusiastically received by a nearly full house. I know the audience wanted to hear more, but we were under a strict time limit as many groups from the International Music Festival were scheduled to perform as well. There were special activities planned for the students from all of the countries and universities represented in this festival following the concert. This morning we bid goodbye to several of the Music Faculty from Siauliai University who were on hand to send us off.
Although Latvia and Lithuania have been admitted to the EU, the border crossings are still an ordeal. We spent less than an hour getting to the border, but almost an hour waiting for passport control to check and approve our entry to Latvia.
Despite the delay, we were able to spend almost an hour at the Rundales Palace museum and gardens . If you have not done so you might enjoy clicking on the links I have provided in the daily schedule. It may not be a good analogy but the best I can think of: Imagine somewhere in the middle of North Dakota in the mid-18th century when the ruler (assigned from say Washington D.C.) decides to build an Italian style palace (with hints of Versailles) with none of the building materials necessary to complete the task within hundreds or thousands of miles. That is what happened here. And it is something special. When I visited it for the first time three years ago, I would guess that about 40% had been restored &endash; and today that number is now probably 60%! So I got to see parts of the palace that I did not see previously. But there is much to do yet. It is, however, an inspiring site and I think everyone enjoyed it.
We were back on the coach to Riga where we were greeted by the Professional Wind Orchestra Conductor Janis Purins who has been so helpful in arranging our concerts in Latvia. We performed in the auditorium of one of Riga's public schools, except this one is devoted primarily to music with an active program that begins in the afternoon and continues through the evening. Students from ages ranging from about 11 to 19 are enrolled. We had a good audience of students, faculty, parents, and other musicians from Riga. We were honored to have the Cultural Attachés from the US Embassy in Latvia, Raymond Stevens, attend the performance. We presented a special gift to him to give to the Ambassador in appreciation for the support of the Embassy for our concerts in Latvia. He in return gave a warm and gracious greeting to the audience and delivered very kind remarks to the SWE.
Following the concert we came to the Centrum or Riga, also called the old town in some cities, for some initial impressions and of course, something to eat. Then off to our lodging site for an early evening &endash; by tour standards &endash; to bed.
Saturday morning began with a walking, guided sightseeing tour followed by some time to explore the many churches, museums, and other historical sites as well as some of the special features of this wonderful city. The students then had time to explore, shop, visit museums, attend rehearsals at the Music Academy, and a variety of other options.
Then it is off to Jurmula (pronounced yurmula) for some sight seeing and of course our concert there. This one will be special because it will be shared with the community band and will be followed with a dinner reception at a café right on the Baltic Sea..
Again, everyone seems to have had a great time in Lithuania. No major problems or concerns appear to be issues at this time. And again the weather has been spectacular. I wrote most of this letter late last night, and at this time it is now noon on a sunny, cloudless day.
I had a chance to check the website in Lithuania yesterday and saw the notes and greetings from many friends and family of the students, and I know that many SWE members have had the opportunity to read them as well. Although I did not have internet available in our accommodation used faculty and administrative offices in Siauliai, where they housed the students Inet was available, and I know most took advantage of it. They also will be able to access the website here in Latvia.
As a side note, we had some difficulty finding lodging in Riga because the World Hockey championships are being held here this weekend. When we arrived I was informed by Mr. Stevens that the Hockey Game Saturday night will feature Latvia vs. the United States. When he welcomed the audience yesterday, he suggested we came to give our musical talent and that there would be no one losing as a result of our performance unlike what will happen at the Hockey game. Fortunately, our concert in Jurmala is three hours before that match!
Thanks everyone for your messages and your support. Probably next post late Sunday Latvia time.
Dr. Saker
Saturday May 13th, 2006
Greetings everyone from an Internet Cafe in Riga:
I have been adding to my updates every night, but getting to a computer that will take the flash drive or using my wireless laptop is much more of a challenge over here. Hotel advertised wireless, but it has been down since we arrived. They let me into their business center at 10 specially, (it closes at 8), but there was no flash drive. Luckily, Bruce and Ruta had spotted this place and it is open until midnight, so we are all here trying to get email answered and updates sent to our families as well.
What a great day today! I updated the days events earlier, so here is a summary of the remainder of the day. We got back from our Jurmula City concert about 10:00 after having a good concert shared with the Wind Orchestra in Jurmula. We learned that we presented the first ever concert in their newly created park and plaza outside their Cultural Center. Several city officials including the Vice Mayor, Minister of Culture, Culture Center official, and others attended and made a special presentation to the SWE. All of the student and faculty soloists performed today, and were terrific! All pieces went well.
The flute students and Dr. Beard spent the morning with friend and music educator from Riga, Inga Grinvalde and her flute students. Inga then joined us for the trip and concert to Jurmula that also was attended by other flute students.
After the concert, the city hosted a delicious dinner literally on the beach of the Baltic Sea in a Rustic, outdoor restaurant. We were joined by the Jurmula Wind Orchestra members, city officials, and others. Students enjoyed free time on the beach before and after the dinner. Everyone seemed to have a great time.
I will try to send another brief update tomorrow before we depart for Estonia. I have told the students to check messages, and I know many have although they may not have much time to respond. Today was the first day they actually had a significant amount of time to explore.
Best regards to all....
Dr. Saker
Sunday May 14th, 2006
Greetings from Estonia,
Thanks to the good work of everyone on the tour, we were able to beat the rush hour traffic out of Riga, and despite numerous construction delays on the highway in Latvia, we arrived in Tallinn around 13:00 today. After a quick check in at our lodging site we were off to the old town of Tallinn for our concert. Although it was a beautiful sunny day, the temps were in the low 50's with a pretty good wind, so our concert was much shorter than planned. Fortunately we still had a good audience including the cultural attaché from the US embassy, another embassy official, and the Tallinn Minister of Culture. Estonia music educator and composer Ott Kask, who was instrumental in arranging our concert here, and professional musician Olev Poll, who will be in Omaha in October performing with his group on the Ecoutez! Recital series also attended.
Following the concert the students had a free evening. Some stayed in the old town, others attended a concert in the symphony hall, and some came back to the hotel to go bowling! Tomorrow we will have some time to explore this beautiful medieval city before departing for the airport for our flight to Oslo.
Monday May 15th, 2006
Greeting from Tallinn!
Unfortunately the computer situation is not so good. Wireless does not work in the hotel, and my update I did on the lap top and saved on the flash drive is not reachable from this computer (which actually is at the reception desk in the hotel - the night worker kindly let me use her computer since it is after midnight and not much traffic here!) Short concert today because of the cold weather - about 50 degrees and windy - but sunny. Guests from the Embassy, minister of culture, and local musicians and music educators attended. More detail when i find an internet cafe hopefully tomorrow. Everyone doing well.
Off to Norway tomorrow.
Best to all........
Dr. Saker
Tuesday May 16th, 2006
Now at the airport waiting for the flight to Stockholm, then connecting to Oslo. Everyone checked in and cleared security. We had another beautiful day in Estonia with mostly clear skies and warmer temps. Free morning to explore, shop, hike, etc. and then lunch before departing for the airport.
Coach driver and I brought the larger instruments and percussion equipment to the airport after dropping the group in old town, and SAS sent them ahead on an earlier flight with a larger airplane. Hopefully they are already in Oslo and the remaining luggage and equipment will fit on this plane.
We will be meeting up with Chancellor Belck and husband and International Studies Director Merry Ellen Turner in Oslo. They will accompany us on the remainder of the tour.
Several students have come down with cold symptoms. I think all of them were able to purchase some over the counter meds to help when they were in Tallin
I hope to send this as soon as I can get to a computer that has a flash drive or a wireless site.
Best wishes to all,
Dr. Saker
P.S.
And now a brief update from Norway:
Everyone is settled in at our hotel on the main street in Oslo awaiting the great independence day celebration tomorrow. Parade will go right by our hotel at 10, sightseeing in the afternoon. More tomorrow....
Dr. S
Friday May 19th, 2006
Greetings from our final destination, Kristiansand Norway.
We all enjoyed our visit to Oslo. The hotel was a perfect location to watch the amazing Independence Day parade, and although it was raining lightly most of the day, no one seemed to mind. The first group to start the ceremonies was the best Norwegian Military Band that marched past our hotel with the colors playing the famous American March, "National Emblem." (If you do not know it, the melody in the trio played by the low brass is the first phrase of the "Star Spangled Banner.") They were outstanding!
A short time later the parade began and it did not end until 3 hours later. Bands, Kids, and more Bands! Participants included school bands, adult bands, and many school groups with almost all participants carrying Norwegian flags. Interestingly, we heard more American music (ranging from "Stars and Stripes Forever" to "Smoke on the Water" and one band even marched playing "The Stripper" We enjoyed an interesting sight seeing tour in the afternoon, and then yesterday off to "Skien."
Due to the rain, we had to move indoors for our concert in the beautiful culture center in Skien. A small but enthusiastic audience cheered our performance. Many members of the Skien town band, "Suoni," which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, attend the concert. We enjoyed a delicious traditional Norwegian dinner that they provided, and then departed for our final destination, Kristiansand.
This morning we are off on a full day excursion to our sister school, Agder University College. We are scheduled to play two concerts here - one on campus at noon, and the other in the city late this afternoon outdoors. However, the rain may change those later plans. Tomorrow is sightseeing and our final dinner that will be attended by Adger officials and students as well as UNO Chancellor Belck and International Affairs DIrector Merry Ellen Turner. Then off for home on Sunday.
No major issues or concerns I am aware of. A few sniffles still, but most seem well. Students have been responsible about meeting deadlines, concerts have all gone well, and I think all have had a great time. Will try to do one final update tomorrow before we depart on Sunday.
Dr. Saker
Saturday May 20th, 2006
Dear friends of the SWE,
As expected, our outdoor concert had to be canceled yesterday because of the cold weather and on and off rain. However, our indoor concert went very well. I think the group played as well or better than ever, and the soloists all did their best performance of the trip. We had university professors, students and administrators in the audience and they were effusive in their praise. Following a lunch of ground beef, chicken and shrimp along with salads and potatoes (all on the same plate) that was provided by our sister institution, we broke into small groups and ADC students took us on a tour of the campus. It was a rewarding and interesting day.
This morning we started with a walking tour of the city, again in small groups each with a guide. We then were treated to a boat tour of the fjords around Kristiansand. The weather gods were with us because most of the day was sunny. About 20 international students from ADC joined us for the boat tour. And of course, we ended with our banquet this evening.
I just returned from our celebration dinner in Kristiansand. The hotel did a lovely job of setting a beautiful hall for us: table linens, fresh flowers, and a terrific dinner. We had a veggi and salmon appetizer - I am not big on salmon, but it was so fresh and tasty I ate it all - followed by a broiled chicken breast, baked potatoe wedges all served with an asparagus and vegetable sauce. That was followed by a rich chocolate cake. We were joined by students and officials of Agder University College (ADC) for this special event and by Chancellor Nancy and Mr. Jack Belck and International Studies Director Merry Ellen Turner. The BF3 Flute Trio and the flute ensemble provided the musical presentation and we recognized all who had helped make the trip successful.
I want to alert you to one slight change in the connecting flight to Copenhagen tomorrow - it is the Beard Group that will be flying through Oslo to Copenhagen (Alexander, C and M Beard, Bucher, Cantrell, Gilbert, Hall, Jacobsen, Jeck, Renner, and Weston) and we will all meet in Copenhagen for the return flight to Chicago and then on to Omaha. Remember that our flight in Omaha gets in at 949 Sunday (United flight 1151).
I am really proud of this group. They have been terrific ambassadors for the University and our country. We have had a great time, have made many new friends, and presented first rate performances. Tonight we said thanks to many who helped make it possible, and I want to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the family, friends, and other supporters of the SWE students who have helped make possible this special tour.
Best regards and we will see you all in Omaha!
Dr. Saker
Final Tour Update and Thank You Information,
IMPORTANT: I have just received a call from Nellie McCallum from the Omaha Lithuania Community about the plans for today with Saule and our friends from Siauliai University. They are at the Zoo this morning, and then have some time free this afternoon. However, the group will have dinner and then do a short performance at the Lakeside Village at 17475 Frances (a few blocks North and West of 168th and Center and phone number 932-9500) at 6:00 Monday Evening.
I am glad everyone got home safe and sound! It was great to see so many family members and friends there to greet us last night. Thanks to all.
Here is the information I promised:
Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Baltics/Norway Tour 2006
Thank You Contact Information
Dear Wind Ensemble Members, parents, and friends:
Here is a list of individuals who were instrumental in assisting with the planning and implementation of our tour should you desire to express your personal thanks for their assistance. The Omaha and UNO Contacts all will receive a gift from me on behalf of the Wind Ensemble. Overseas individuals already have received gifts, but also will receive a letter of formal thanks. I asked several of the following individuals to send me the names and contacts of others in their city or country to thank, and when I opened email this morning, I had received that information already from Janis in Latvia, Ott in Estonia, and Gunner in Norway. Of course, Zenonas is in Omaha now but Gediminas is in Lithuania. Mette has returned to the office today so I will receive their information later. I will, of course, send thanks to our each of our Siauliai University and Agder University Friends when I receive that information.
For those who have not registered for the tour course, the course number is INST 3000-805, Call number is 10486 for 3 credit hours. If you need assistance registering, please contact Barb at 554-3446.
Although I will probably not get a chance to acknowledge each of you individually, permit me to thank you all for your many contributions to our successful tour. And although it is not necessary, I do appreciate the many kind expressions of appreciation I received from so many of you and your parents.
I hope you all have a great summer!
Dr. Saker
In Omaha:
UNO Officials (Chancellor Nancy Belck, VChancellor John Christensen, Dean Robert Welk, International Studies Dean Tom Gouttierre, Int. Studies Director Merry Ellen Turner, and Music Department Int. Studies Coordinator Roger Foltz.
nbelck@mail.unomaha.edu
johnchristensen@mail.unomaha.edu
rwelk@mail.unomaha.edu
tgouttierre@mail.unomaha.edu
mturner@mail.unomaha.edu
rfoltz@mail.unomaha.edu
Lithuania
"ripinskis" <ripinskis@splius.lt>
"Gediminas Ramanauskas" <studium@cr.su.lt>
Latvia Janis Purins <purinsjanis@yahoo.com>
Estonia "Ott Kask" <ott@viimsivv.ee>
Norway "Knudsen,Gunnar" <gunnar.knudsen@aa-f.kommune.no>
Mette Høgbrat Pedersen <mette.h.pedersen@hia.no>
