Montreal - Part Two

Friday, February 12, 2010

After a quick breakfast at our hotel, the orchestra loaded their instruments on the bus and attended an orchestral clinic with Alexis Hauser, Director of the McGill Symphony Orchestra. After the clinic, a young student named Matt gave the kids a tour of McGill University. He made it sound very desirable and more than a few are now considering school in Canada.

Driver John got us safely through the tight streets of old Montreal and the instruments were unloaded at the Basilique for safe keeping while we lunched at the famous restaurant, McDonalds. We finished our yummy lunch (yes, it was better than at home) and spent a moment or two of souvenir shopping and then headed back to the Basilique for a concert in the breathtaking cathedral. After tuning there was no time for the planned guided tour so the docent stood with the orchestra and pointed out the many marvels of the grand basilica.

Just before their performance at 3:00 pm, Chris Davis and I were escorted to the closed, second balcony so we could photograph and videotape the concert. All of the parents and grandparents shed a few tears of joy and pride as the Mariemont High School filled the grand sanctuary with Mozart and other well played pieces.

In preparation of our next adventure, we arrived back at the hotel to change into warm clothes for our one hour bus ride to the Sugar Shack. The bus was greeted by a team of draft horses pulling a large, red sleigh. At the Sucrerie de la Montage we were talked through the steps of sugaring, given a tour of the bread cabin where 90 loaves a day are made from scratch by a gentleman in his 80’s, which was followed by a feast in the largest cabin. We learned during our tour of Montreal that dinner out is a social event in itself. The courses are individual and spaced so there is time to take pleasure in the food, the company and the conversation. Nothing was rushed as we spent over two hours just enjoying the many courses which included the freshly baked bread, pea soup, mashed potatoes, sausages, quiche, meat pies and, of course, for dessert, pancakes with fresh syrup.

Music was provided by a very entertaining French speaking host who actually had the kids singing, dancing and marching through the room. Fun was had by all!