The Expresso Show

Today was one of the busiest days in my entire BCS tour experience. Everybody had to wake up at around 4:00 am so that we could leave Noordhoek at 4:30 am to perform LIVE!! on an international television show called "The Expresso Show”. We arrived at the station and waited there for about 30 minutes before we were called in for a sound check. There, we found out that we were performing 3 songs—2 live, and 1 as a bonus Facebook Live video. Our sound check was a  success, and then we decided that our 2 live songs were going to be Peze Cafe and the Jamaican Folk Songs while our Facebook Live video would be This May Be the Last Time with our soloist Isabelle. Everything was AMAZING, from the waiting in between our songs and getting to see the show live, to actually performing on international television. My favorite part was when we were waiting to do the Facebook Live show and some friends and I were chatting, then one of the staff came running to my group and asked us if anyone of us would like to go ON TELEVISION and explain to the viewers and the hosts what half-and-half was since they don’t have it in South Africa. My friend Helena immediately looked at me and said, “Renee is a baker, so she should do it.” I was surprised that she pointed me out. I took the offer and followed the guy up to the studio, got mic’d up and explained to everyone what half-and-half was. That was my first time speaking in front of cameras, but I told them what I had to say, and everyone loved it. When I went down to meet my peers they all clapped and were surprised that I just randomly was on live television. After that segment, we prepared and performed on the Facebook Live show. Viewers were saying we were great and that they hope to attend our performances in South Africa. 

After the television show we went to Leonard’s house (our tour guide extraordinaire) where his mother-in-law, wife, and daughter were preparing us breakfast. They prepared us coffee and homemade South African Donuts with coconut—they are delicious!! Everybody, including the staff love eating the donuts. As a thank you for letting us have breakfast in their house, we sang This May Be the Last Time for Leonard’s mother-in-law. That was a song that his mother personally wanted us to sing and she hugged everyone after we sang. 

After our wonderful breakfast, we visited the Athlone School for the Blind and performed a concert for the students and staff. We sang a wide range of songs like: Bring Me Little Water Silvey, Bella Mama, Dilmano Dilbero, and many more. One of the most touching moments of our visit was when two of our singers, Sara and Isabelle, taught one of our songs to students and staff. I was smiling from cheek to cheek seeing the children smile, sing and clap along. When the singing was over, we got to chat with the high school group, which is always the choir's favorite part of our school visits. Some people were talking to staff while some were playing hand games with some of the students. Everything about being at that school brought joy to my day even though I was  tired from the morning. 

Overall, today was SUPER busy and very successful. The choir represented the United States on international television in South Africa, we got to have a delicious breakfast with Leonard and his family, and we got to meet the students of the Athlone School for the Blind. Today will definitely be a day that I will always remember. 

Renee

Quote of the Day:

“When are you coming to France?” said a Facebook LIVE viewer as they saw our performance.

Singer of the Day: 

Simone, thank you for your willingness to communicate our message and for greeting our audience with your bright smile.

Shoutouts: 

Zach & Jim, thank you for your wonderful performance as soloists, we are so proud of your growth!