The School of the Arts Singers choir from the vocal department traded West Palm Beach for the United Kingdom this summer. From July 4 – 15, students were able to partake in the Llangollen International Eisteddfod singing competition.

“I’ve been working towards becoming the best singer and performer I can be [ever since I was 14],” vocal senior Virginia Mims said. “I’m so happy with the experience I had and the knowledge gained from the competition.”

The trip was originally planned for last summer, but complications with the school board delayed it to this year instead.

“The Ireland trip was brought up my junior year as a tentative future project,” vocal alumnus Juan Suarez said.”Early in my senior year we had meetings and eventually it was approved by the school board.”

Dreyfoos administration pushed for students to attend. Vocal teacher and trip supervisor Arlene Sparks was excited for the trip after attending the Llangollen in 2001. Ms. Sparks endorsed the opportunity and provided fundraising for students troubled by the cost of the trip.

“I originally didn’t want to [go on] this trip because of money issues and the fact that it’s my final summer to prep for college auditions,” vocal senior Drew Tanabe said. “Ms. Sparks convinced [me] and [my parents] that this would be an amazing opportunity.”

Starting on their departure date, the students had an online blog of their journey and took turns recounting the adventures of the day. Some posts included the students’ travels in Dublin, Ireland. They explored parks and gardens unlike anything they had ever seen before, including the glacial valley Glendalough.

“[We] entered a world so enchanting and fresh,” Mims wrote. “The green is something that cannot be described or recreated. The mountains were illuminated with sunlight and everyone was basking in the beautiful weather.”

Day five, July 8, marked their arrival in Wales and the start of the Llangollen competition. The students were impressed upon meeting their competitors.

“When we placed second in two of the competitions, while of course first would’ve been nice, I was ok with getting second to these amazing choirs because their blend and balance was just impeccable,” Tanabe said.

Tanabe’s opinion was shared by other members of the choir. In addition to their talent, their competitors were friendly and welcoming.

“[Our competitors] not only sang very well, but were incredibly kind and supportive and represented their countries wonderfully.” Suarez said.

Suarez went on to place first in the Vocal Solo (over 18) category. Over the course of the next few days, Dreyfoos continued to place: the choir won first place in the Senior Choir category and second in the open category, Mims placed second in the Voice of the Future category and vocal seniors Tanabe and Cara Young placed third and first respectively in the Songs from the Shows (under 18) category.

“Winning first place in an international competition still hasn’t set in,” said Suarez. “I still can’t believe it.”

Both Tanabe and Mims had food poisoning the day of their performance, making placing in the competition an incredible feat. Tanabe cites adrenaline as carrying him through his song.

“After I sang and did a quick interview with a local news station, I ran to the bathroom,” Tanabe said.

Following the day of solos and sickness, the choir made preparations to head home. Their final night was spent enjoying the Scottish culture with a show in their hotel. As enjoyable as the competition was, experiencing the European culture was an unforgettable part of their trip. They arrived in Ireland, competed in Wales, and ended their journey in Scotland.

“My favorite experience while traveling in the UK was learning about the [history],” said Suarez. “Whether it be Liverpool, England with the Beatles being born there, to Edinburgh, Scotland with its centuries of history dating back to the Vikings.”

For videos of their performances and detailed accounts of their travels, visit their blog at http://www.music-contact.com/2014dreyfoos/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=12