The travelers of the Cornelia Connelly School Advanced Women’s Ensemble and Handbell Ensemble get ready for some action and will meet new friends during their Incantato Performance Tour. The students from St. Leonard's Mayfield School will welcome them on Monday, June 28. At 8:00 pm it's time for a special concert in the beautiful medieval chapel where Cornelia Connelly was laid to rest. The singers and chaperones stay overnight in the boarding house. Other travelers will stay at a hotel near the school.
Below is some information on St. Leonard's Mayfield School:
In 1863, on the 26th of May, Mother Cornelia Connelly who found the Society of the Holy Child Jesus (SHCJ) in 1846 would take a group of girls to picnic from the Holy Child school to St. Leonard's-on-Sea to the ruins of the Old Palace of Mayfield. The peacefulness of the countryside and ruins left their mark on Cornelia. Within in weeks the Duchess of Leads purchased the estate and presented it to the religious order. On the 18th of November, 1863 the first mass was said there since the mid-16th Century. They would subsequently being renovations in 1864 on the Old Palace and the ruins of the 14th century hall would be transformed into a church, this only took 14 months. The school started by teaching orphans and it was not until 1872 when the first group of girls was brought over from St. Leonard's to start their academics. It was not until 1953, when St. Leonard's-on-Sea and Mayfield school merged to be St. Leonard's Mayfield. Students remained at St Leonard's up to the age of 13 and then transferred to Mayfield to continue their education to 18. In 1975 the junior school at St Leonard's closed and Mayfield became the school it is today, educating girls from 11 to 18. The links with Holy Child, however, remain strong: three members of the Governing body are nuns and three nuns live in the school grounds, supporting the pastoral work of the Chaplaincy and boarding houses.
There are currently in the region of 425 pupils on roll, organised into Lower School (Years 7 and 8), Middle School (Years 9, 10 and 11) and Sixth Form (Years 12 and 13). The majority of pupils come from homes within a 50km radius of Mayfield, but a number come from further afield, and not only from within Britain: the school has a vibrant international community with girls drawn from Spain, Mexico, Venezuela, Hungary, Germany, Poland, Russia, China, Hong Kong, Nigeria and elsewhere.
Dear Members of the 2010 Cornelia Connelly Performance Tour to Ireland,
We wish you safe travels to Europe. Incantato Tour Managers Lizette Spencer and Liane Sassen will be welcoming you on Saturday, June 26, at London-Heathrow airport.
Enjoy your performance tour, Your Incantato Tours Team
DAY 1 Friday, June 25 Overnight non-stop flight to London with American Airlines Your flight leaves at 7:50 pm, please make sure you arrive at the LAX airport at least two hours in advance for check-in.
DAY 2 Saturday, June 26 Welcome to the British Isles You arrive at 2:15 pm in London-Heathrow, then meet your IncantatoTour Managers Lizette Spencer and Liane Sassen and embark on a panoramic bus tour of London‘s highlights. Enjoy some free time in the city center followed by a welcome-dinner. Overnight stay at the Hotel Hilton Croydon.
DAY 3 Sunday, June 27 London in-Depth - High Mass See the Buckingham Palace, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the British Museum, the Tower of London with Crown Jewels and many more sights, then continue to the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Farm Street where the Connelly HS ensembles are the featured guest choirs for High Mass at 6:15 pm.
DAY 4 Monday, June 28 In Cornelia Connelly’s Footsteps - Mayfield School Visit & Highlight Concert Travel back in time as your group visits St. Leonards-Mayfield School, after a lunch stop in the lovely town of Turnbridge Wells. The school is located in the beautiful countryside about an hour outside of London. The Old Palace at Mayfield dates from 1325 and was donated to the Society of the Holy Child and turned into a girls boarding school. Meet with staff and students prior to a special concert in the beautiful medieval chapel (8:00 pm) where Cornelia Connelly was laid to rest. After the concert all guests are hosted to an informal drinks reception. The students and chaperones stay at the school, all other travelers are guests of the Royal Tunbridge Wells Hotel.
DAY 5 Tuesday, June 29 Cambridge Excursion & Concert A university town since 1209, Cambridge offers a lot to see from the Kings‘ College Chapel to the Margaret Beaufort Institute, a Roman Catholic House of Studies for women specializing in theology, spirituality and leadership for lay ministry. The Connelly HS ensembles will present a lunchtime concert at Great St. Mary’s Church. A special treat will be a „Punt“ (river cruise in traditional boaters).
DAY 6 Wednesday, June 30 Scenic Countryside - Stratford & Candle-lit Castle Concert Continue to Stratford-upon-Avon which dates back to at least the Roman Times but its appearance today is of a small Tudor market town. Visit Shakespeare’s birthplace, then continue your journey to Warwick Castle for a tour followed by a candle-lit concert in the Great Hall at 7:30 pm. Overnight stay at the Hilton Warwick.
DAY 7 Thursday, July 1 Excursion to Edgbaston Embark on a full day excursion to nearby Edgbaston for a visit of the Prior School - opened in 1936 by the Sisters of the Holy Child. The Connelly HS Ensembles are invited to participate in today's Arts Day and present a special highlight concert (3:00 pm) to the students, staff and special guests. Afterwards you'll enjoy some time at leisure - maybe for a little recreation at the hotel pool!
DAY 8 Friday, July 2 Dublin Flight and Sightseeing Depart Birmingham on an early morning flight at 8:10 am to Ireland. After arrival in Dublin, explore some of the many highlights with your Irish guide Barbara Hunter. Overnight stay at the Bewley’s Hotel.
DAY 9 Saturday, July 3 St. Patrick's Cathedral & Trinity College Guided sightseeing tour of Dublin’s highlights ending at St. Patrick’s Cathedral for a lunchtime concert. Furthermore see the famous Book of Kells, an 8th century illuminated manuscript located inside the Trinity College.
DAY 10 Sunday, July 4 Dublin at leisure & High Mass Sleep in prior to the group's participation at High Mass at St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral in the heart of Dublin (11 am). Afterwards join the Family Fun & Fitness Day with a 4th July American Theme at the Farmleigh House & Estate.
DAY 11 Monday, July 5 Dublin at leisure - Farewell Enjoy exploring the Irish Capital city at your own pace under the guidance of your tour managers. In the evening, gather for a fun farewell dinner at The Church restaurant.
DAY 12 Tuesday, July 6 Return to the US Depart Dublin airport via Chicago to LAX at 10:35 am.
About the Choral Programm at Cornelia Connelly School
Advanced Handbelll Ensemble The Connelly Advanced Handbell Ensemble, an auditioned ensemble, focuses on intermediate to advanced handbell techniques.The class continues the study of Music Theory as it pertains to handbells, including more complex rhythms, faster pitch recognition, extreme dynamics, articulation techniques, as well as further exploration of expression and musicality.The ensemble participates fully in many liturgies at Connelly as well as perform in concerts and festivals throughout the school year.The class also addresses appropriate handbell usage in Catholic liturgy as well as viable performance medium in concerts.
Chamber Singers A mixed student ensemble to study and perform the vast amount of choral literature for mixed voices.Advanced vocal techniques as well as ensemble techniques and considerations are addressed in this class.Members perform throughout the school year as well as give special performances in liturgies at Connelly and throughout the diocese and community.
"Our tour was so much more than a music festival. It was a complete cultural enrichment including great performance venues, hotels, restaurants, local tour guides, as well as connections with other choirs and instrumentalists. An added bonus for us was an introduction to an Italian composer who presently will be joining us in NC for 3 concerts featuring some of his choral music. So the cultural exchange continues. Bravo, Incantato!" Dr. Sue Klausmeyer, Chapel Hill Community Chorus, Chapel Hill, SC
"As a director I loved the personal touch Incantato was able to provide and the attention they gave to even the smallest details. Incantato worked with us to suit our tour of Central Europe to our ensemble’s needs and objectives. The result was a brilliant tour that featured amazing performance venues, excellent guides, and unique cultural experiences that the students and I will remember for a lifetime."
Dr. Graeme Langager - Director of Choral Activities, University of Arkansas
"Having recently returned from a successful tour of Ireland, I can say without a doubt that this was my finest tour experience. I have used several different tours companies in my years of performance tours, and none have matched the attention to detail, the thoughtful planning, excellent venues & marketing, meal & hotels, and overall management by Incantato Tours. Their pricing was excellent, and when the US currency dropped, they did not raise any of our cost. I would recommend this company to anyone planning a tour, whether they are a large professional ensemble, or a small church choir." Nathan J. Kreitzer - Director of Choral Activities Santa Barbara City College, CA
“When we travel to Europe again, it wil be with Incantato. I have been more than impressed with their professionalism and attention to detail. We sang in great and unforgettable venues, had excellent marketing and audiences. I highly recommend Incantato.“ Howard Cheung, San Marino Chamber Choir, CA
“I’ve worked with many other tour companies, but our Incantato Tour exceeded even my most optimistic expectations. The singers will remember their time in Italy the rest of their lives. To have had the opportunity to perform in those amazing cathedrals with large appreciative audiences was truly memorable.“ Judy Filibeck, Choir of the Sound, Seattle, WA
“From start to finish Incantato was tremendous in terms of the planning and execution of our tour. We found the staff professional yet personable, and without doubt we’ll travel with them in the future.” Philemon Theodorou, SCHS Vocal Arts, CA
“Incantato Tours has created the most musically satisfying tour we have ever taken. For the singers touring is about the music in the wonderful cathedrals and the exchanges with the local kids. A toast to Incantato for fulfilling your dream, and for making so many people so happy - now and in the future.“ Arlene Jacobs, SCS Touring Choir, Akron, OH
“Incantato Tours impresses me because their clients come first. Their advantage lies in the selection of venues, impressive itineraries and the ability to tend to details.” Dr. Gary L. Unruh, Professor Emeritus, CSU Fresno
In 1863, on the 26th of May, Mother Cornelia Connelly who found the Society of the Holy Child Jesus (SHCJ) in 1846 would take a group of girls to picnic from the Holy Child school to St. Leonard's-on-Sea to the ruins of the Old Palace of Mayfield. The peacefulness of the countryside and ruins left their mark on Cornelia. Within in weeks the Duchess of Leads purchased the estate and presented it to the religious order. On the 18th of November, 1863 the first mass was said there since the mid-16th Century. They would subsequently being renovations in 1864 on the Old Palace and the ruins of the 14th century hall would be transformed into a church, this only took 14 months. The school started by teaching orphans and it was not until 1872 when the first group of girls was brought over from St. Leonard's to start their academics. It was not until 1953, when St. Leonard's-on-Sea and Mayfield school merged to be St. Leonard's Mayfield. Students remained at St Leonard's up to the age of 13 and then transferred to Mayfield to continue their education to 18. In 1975 the junior school at St Leonard's closed and Mayfield became the school it is today, educating girls from 11 to 18. The links with Holy Child, however, remain strong: three members of the Governing body are nuns and three nuns live in the school grounds, supporting the pastoral work of the Chaplaincy and boarding houses. 
