Libera Tour Blog - Wonderful Washington Part 2

A mystery Libera boy has written the next installment of the Libera travel blog. You can read the whole thing here. I have a guess on who this is. Do you? lol.

First we are introduced to the cutest dog named Brownie that the boys got to play with while rehearsing at Good Shepherd Church. Of course, the boys travel with Moose, but there's nothing better than a live pet. I love how Brownie posed for the picture along with the boys. He's quite photogenic! 

Then it was off to Washington DC for "quickfire sightseeing"of the Washington Monument, the White House, and the Lincoln Memorial. This may have been a first trip to DC for most of the boys since only Sam and Josh visited in 2007 for the Kennedy Center Honors performance. Sorry about the heat, as usual in Summer here, but the "30 blue-shirted, London choirboys" made a great effort with the group pictures. Obviously it's hard to get everyone looking at the camera at the same time with their eyes open and not squinting or blinking, but this hilarious picture has what, 7-8 boys even looking at the camera. And Kavana has his hand on top of his head. lol.

What each boy does when he doesn't know his picture is being taken.

Almost perfect! :D

I love this one so much!

Matthew giving America just a big ol hug

Next up was a trip to their venue for 2 filming concerts, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. I agree with the writer. It's immense, humungous, beautiful, and echo-ing. Did you catch that there were 31 microphones needed? Remember Josh sang in 2 songs. I think it's so interesting to see how they hide the microphones on top of their heads. Yes, Mr. Writer, you DO have naturally good looks. ;)

Isaac getting his "combover" while Bertie looks on

We all know by now that the boys wear their coats on backwards while eating to keep any food from spilling onto their white robes, but oh my goodness, calling them coats with nose-bag hoods is so funny!

Alex G, a cardboard Pope Francis (but he looks so real, even in person!), Ciaran, & Marc

Waiting to perform is never boring when you laugh at the programme photos of yourself and "talk rubbish" with each other. This trip report blog just gets better and better.

Kuba & Michael M looking at the concert program

I'm guessing there's some laughing at pictures going on here

One of the nicest pictures ever - Lucas, Ben, and

Alessandro sitting during rehearsal

On to the concerts. It's so nice that the boys realized how much the audience loved their performance. I've never heard such a long standing ovation. It just went on and on and on.

Libera performing "The Prayer" with Isaac soloing

Part of the huge audience. This section is where my aunt, 

great-uncle and great-aunt sat. They attended with a 

large group of retired US military officers.

Thanks, Mr. Author, for another great Liblog! :D

Libera Tour Blog - Wonderful Washington Part 1

Libera at Sandy Cove

Hi, everyone! This is Lexi's mom, Lauren. Lexi is at university and a bit "under the weather" right now. Actually, she went to the doctor for a respiratory infection and fever. The nurse gave her a shot and left the room; Lexi passed out and got a concussion. She is taking it easy. Well, as easy as you can when you have quizzes and papers to write for school. But that's the explanation for why I'll be writing the next few blog posts. I usually do write the boring posts like concert venue information. Now that I've made this one boring as well, let's make it exciting and get to Libera. :)

First, isn't it cute how Libera alliterates their blog titles? Wonderful Washington, Phancy Philippines, Interesting Ireland, Kool Korea, Terrific Taiwan, Joyful Japan, Shiny Singapore. Guess they didn't know what to do with Jersey and Guernsey. lol

Whoever wrote this particular blog installment is a fabulous writer. Would they like to come and guest-author this blog also? Please? :) 

We find out that all 31 boys were mic'd for the concert instead of just the main soloists. Weren't there 30 choristers listed on the program? Yes, but don't forget that Josh Madine left the piano and sang with the choir for 2 songs, so 31 microphones! :D These were the mics that come up the back of their neck to the top of their head and down to right above the forehead. The mics get covered up by their hair. Or they are supposed to... The writer explains that everyone was mic'd because the Basilica has so much echo.

After getting packed and flying to the USA, they met up with their coach (bus) driver, Shaun. We met him, and what a nice, fun, funny guy he is. BEST BUS DRIVER EVER! (No offense to the other bus drivers they've had.) ;) They should have him drive them all the time.

Camden, Lucas, Isaac, Matthew M, Michael M, Timothy, Tom, Matthew J, Ben, Alessandro

And that is Shaun the bus driver in the back ground! :D

They spent their first week having morning rehearsals. We fans sure do appreciate all the time they spent doing that, because the resulting concerts showed that practice makes perfect! The author writes, "knowing this show would be filmed and televised brought a little extra pressure on us...However, seeing as this DVD was going to be documented for life, we didn’t mind putting a little extra work in..." Who does that remind you of? Do you remember in their Christmas in Ireland DVD when Alessandro says, "I'm not very nervous. It's just exciting. A bit scared, because it's going to be burned on a DVD for the rest of my life." The way he said that was so funny. Like he was resigning himself to whatever happens, good or bad, will be forever recorded on a DVD for his entire life. lol I wonder if Alessandro is our author. Hmmm.

Sandy Cove

After rehearsals, they went to a really great place called Sandy Cove. It has everything fun to do and fabulous food. I don't know about you, but I wish there was video of them playing "Gaga," having crazy diving contests, and playing silent soccer (how's that for alliteration)! I had never heard of Gaga or Ga-Ga. Sounds like a job for Google. Here's a video of the Ga-Ga game. 



It says it's a type of dodge ball from Israel. Lots of people can play at the same time. Get hit by the ball below the knee and you're out. If the ball goes out of the play area, the last person who touched it is out. The last player left is the winner. Looks fun!

Bertie & Matthew M kayaking

Alex G on the swings

Timothy and Tom swimming

Gabe squirting Ciaran? lol

There were lots of other activities, and I love that they got to play with other kids. I also love when they celebrate the boys' birthdays while away from home. We know Lucas's birthday is the first week of August. Now we know he turned 12! There are also 12 curly candles off to the side that have already been used. Could this be for Ciaran's birthday? He turned 12 on August 4. Happy birthday, guys!

Ready for a party!

After a fun week, it was time to go to Washington DC for the filming concerts. We shall read about that when Part 2 comes out. Can't wait. Thanks to our anonymous author for the great blog post. Be watching for official pictures from the tour to be coming out soon also! :D

Official Libera Blog & Pictures from USA Spring 2014

Hey guys!!! Look who’s back from uni for the summer! :) I’ve missed you all! So, there’s a new Libera blog from their USA tour! Yay! You can read it here. And tons of new pictures! You can see them all here.

It's sad how shy and serious they all are. lol

OK, starting from the top. Calling the previous members “our Libera ancestors” may be my favorite thing about this post. Can we adopt that? Please? 

They stayed at a place in New Jersey called America's Keswick. It's a Christian conference center where they stayed back in 2008 when they sang for the Pope at Yankee Stadium. It looks really nice with a big lake and indoor swimming pool.

America's Keswick

Cool pic of where they stayed

I heard the food was great there, and, yes! Lucky Charms are still my favorite, too, Mr. Writer. (Parents always say you’ll grow out of it, but I’m 20 and no luck yet.) lol. I’m glad that they stayed somewhere they could do outdoor things. It was probably nice not to be cooped up in a city hotel like they often are on tour. It was great weather, too! Perfect for a holiday!

Bike riding (or cycling as they call it)

Ben out in front!

This was one of my favorite rides as a kid! We called it the Frog Hopper!

Lucas on the bumper cars

And they got to go to the beach too! But, aww, Mr. Writer. Keeping the arcade toys for himself. Lol. 

Is this Mr. Writer holding his "cuddly toy?" lol

Next up was their first venture into Manhattan. Haha! How can anyone go to NYC without seeing the Hulk smashing the buildings, Captain America and Black Widow fighting aliens, Thor and Iron Man flying around, and Hawkeye up on one of the buildings shooting arrows? Too bad there’s no real Stark Tower. (I like you even more for that reference, Mr. Writer.) ;)

Outside the giant Macy's department store!

I’m so glad the concerts went well! The first one was in a church with a nice echo. There were so many new songs. Apparently the audience's noisy enjoyment is a good thing! That’s good for this noisy person! :)

The fresh air will do this to you

Nice picture at Keswick before a concert

They can only stand still for so long...

Concert at Church of the Incarnation in NYC

This was a concert by candlelight

The next day was the Morristown, New Jersey concert in a theatre. I heard that it was really great also with many happy fans!

Backwards coats keep the white robes clean

Alex Gula outside the Mayo Theatre

On stage at the Mayo Performing Arts Center

There was a day of trains and subways and sightseeing. PIZZA BURGER sounds terribly American and wonderfully good. lol. I’m glad they had some time to tour the city!

Eoghan and Ben

With Uncle Sam :D

Next was another full day of sighseeing in NYC. I’m glad we got the explanation for King Kong climbing the Empire State Building! It was just a misunderstanding! He didn’t fit in the lift (elevator)! :)

View of lower Manhattan from the Empire State Building

Atop the Empire State Building - it's windy up there!

Newbie Camden Stewart

I remember going to the huge TOYS R US in NYC on a high school trip. It was pretty incredible, even for us 18 year olds! “Flopping into bed like dead fish” is my new favorite simile.

Cassius & a NYC mounted police officer in Times Square (near Dave & Buster's)

Last but not least was the ferry ride to the Statue of Liberty! I've been to it twice, but never thought it "wasn't very liberty because it had a fence all round the bottom." That's hilarious but true! I remember police chasing a guy who jumped that fence. lol. Your pictures with Lady Liberty are awesome! 

I love these pictures with the Statue of Liberty!

Looking tough!

Don't let that fence keep you out! lol

I’m happy they made it out before it snowed! That's crazy weather! It’s been a cold Spring, but they got to be here for a very nice part! So glad they enjoyed their time! And so sorry I missed seeing you all there! Uni really does get in the way sometimes, but unfortunately it is quite necessary. Hope you come back soon! :)

Ireland Official Pictures & Liblog 2013

Hey, everybody! I need to catch up on so much Libera news. First I'm going back to the Armagh DVD concert from August 2013. Once you've read it, I'll put it with the September postings where it should have gone. How did I skip this? Oh, maybe it's because I actually got to go to Ireland to see Libera! And then I went to London!!! :D And then I went to university...

Anyway, a boy (or boys) wrote 2 Liblogs about their trip called "Interesting Ireland - North and South." You can read it here. We found out that they flew to Belfast and stayed at a boarding school in the Republic of Ireland...only this boarding school was awesome. Lots of room to run, no studying, AND a catering staff! Their daily schedule was Breakfast, Rehearsal, Lunch, Free Time, Dinner, Rehearsal/Movie. Lots of rehearsals because all the songs were new versions, and they wanted to do a really good job for the DVD. 

Gabe is so cute! :D

Free time was spent inside playing table tennis (Tom DL and Sam Wiggin were the champs!), K'Nex, pool, or Nintendo. 

 

Kuba & Sam playing. Tom DL & Sam were the champs!

Ralph & Josh playing. Looks like they're all playing in a round.

Outside free time was for tennis, football, rounders, swimming, or croquet. I had to look up that rounders game. It sounds sort of like a one-handed softball/baseball game. 

Lucas playing tennis

Dylan must have made a great shot!

Playing football

Great form, Tom!

The Fun Fair sounds great, but I guess Kuba threw up on the Vominator ride. Ugh! Sorry, Kuba. Guess there's a reason it's called the Vominator.   

Is that the infamous Vominator behind Matthew J & Henry?!

Nano Ben at the shooting gallery

Ben needs more sugar! lol And I LOVE cotton candy!

Cassius loves to take the funny pictures! :D

And a water sports centre is a great way to run off all your energy! How awesome is that "iceberg?!"  

All smiles!

Matthew J & Marc canoeing

Huge iceberg!

Next they traveled up to Armagh, Northern Ireland. 

Hey, Jude! Yeah...I just wanted to say that. lol.

While there they went to the Navan Fort (or Emain Macha, seat of the Kings of Ulster around 95 BC) and the Armagh Observatory. I went to both of those, too! Libera didn't show any pictures of that, so...here's mine. I apparently missed out on building Celtic shields and space rockets. lol. Even though Astronomy is my favorite science subject, I was happiest that the observatory had Orange Fanta with real sugar! It tastes so much better than back home! :D 

This Iron Age couple never broke character!

Reconstructed round house from early Iron Age.

Every spaceman statue is meant to be climbed on.

 

310 pound meteorite found in Argentina

Are you exhausted yet? Wait! They still have a concert to film! 
  

Alex Gula is ready to sing!

Libera had a sort of dress rehearsal/concert the first night and a full concert with lots of people there the second night. Both were filmed, but the cameras were moved to different spots each night. Here's my review of the concert. I think I counted 9 cameras. It was a beautiful concert, even if they did have to stop between songs to change positions or get their hair fixed. 

 

The boys had to have their hair fixed a lot because their

mics needed to be hidden. The mic came up the back of their neck, 

across the top of their head to the top of their forehead.

The director, R. Medwyn Hughes, backstage watching the camera feeds

I love this pic with Robert Prizeman, Tiarnan, Simon Lewis, Jonathan,

Alex, Josh, Cassius, Isaac & Daniel filming the "Behind the Scenes" parts.

More "Behind the Scenes" with Michael UR, Eoghan & Cassius

Filming with the jibby-jib camera that can go up really high.

Another one of my favorite pictures! Sam, Michael UR, Gabe & Isaac.

If you haven't gotten the DVD or CD yet, you'll want it for your collection. It's awesome! Here's where to get it. Thanks to Libera for sharing your great Liblog and pictures!