Day 4 - Our first concert - Dunblane Cathedral

Group shot at Dunblane Cathedral Our piper for Amazing Grace at Dunblane "backstage" at Dunblane Cathedral

Moving pews in the Cathedral to make room. Dunblane Cathedral - site of our first concert Loading in to the Cathedral

After more rehearsal and lunch at Queen Victoria School, all our equipment is packed up and moved to Dunblane Cathedral - the site of our first concert. Our hosts are Malcolm Wilson (his Amazing Grace is on our program) and Lisbeth Wilson.

We bid a sad farewell to Queen Victoria School. While we have been there less than two days, it feels comfortable and safe and we are on our way to that scary unknown of our first concert site. It is a massive undertaking, packing and loading 7 octaves plus 5 octaves of bells, and 7-octaves plus 3 octaves of chimes, and tables, foam, covers, etc. We all know we will get better as we go - but this first time is a bit frantic.

All equipment is moved to Dunblane Cathedral. An unexpected surprise - Carl Wiltse is waiting for us when we arrive. After moving several pews out of the way (people are always amazed by the willingness of handbell ringers to help!) - we rehearse more, break for afternoon tea (of course! - we're used to it now), more rehearsal, then back to the hotel for a very quick dinner and change into our concert. Everyone has an odd combination of jet-lag-induced fatigue and opening nite jitters. We are all wondering what effect this will have on our performance.

We are back at the Cathedral for a quick rehearsal with the bagpiper for Amazing Grace (WOW!!! He's Amazing!) and concert time arrives soon. We have a small, but enthralled, audience. Everyone in the group has the typical first-time mistakes that never happened in rehearsal. The one's where you think "where did that just come from?!" But we also have some wonderful moments. Our performances of Arnold Sherman's "Song of Peace" and Malcolm's "Amazing Grace" moves many in the audience (and a few in the choir) to tears. We still have a lot to work on - but overall - a success.

Concert one is under our belt - now we're really moving!