A View from the Danube 2012 Tour


The Windward Choral and Kona Music Societies’ View from the Danube 2012 Tour is sure to be an incredible adventure amidst some of Eastern Europe’s most amazing sites and breathtaking scenery.

The tour will, undoubtedly, be rich in historic and cultural experiences and will surely provide an intimate glimpse into what makes Old Europe so alluring. From art and architecture to government and philosophy, this all-inclusive tour is expected to expand our knowledge and enhance our appreciation for the traditions and customs of the Czech, Austrian and Hungarian regions.

With the scenic Danube River serving as a main focal point of the tour, this international waterway will provide passage through four Central and Eastern European capitals. Land excursions will not only introduce us to new cities, buildings and landscapes but also to new people, languages and customs. The lands we’ll visit hold tremendous historic significance as they have been traveled previously and greatly impacted by ancient Romans, Medieval Crusaders, Bohemian Conquerors, Prussian Nobility and WWII occupiers. The economic and political evolutions of these countries are as varied as the religions and governments that still exist today and each maintains an individuality that has been shaped by thousands of years of perseverance and determination.

Our 21’st Century tour of the Danube region will include visits to several centuries-old churches, cathedrals, abbeys and castles. It will also include local activities, entertainment and folklore events as well as opportunities to sample local culinary and libation specialties.

English-speaking guides will accompany us on a sightseeing tour of Prague, where we’ll see the Jewish Quarter, Charles Bridge, and Old Town Square. They will also take us to the famous Chain and Elizabeth Bridges in Budapest as well as the State Opera House, Parliament and Hero’s Square in Vienna. Our guides will provide narratives for all land excursions and will also be able to assist with organizing optional tours and activities.

Our four-day river cruise aboard Avalon’s Tapestry will afford us ample opportunities to enjoy panoramic views of the Austrian, Slovakian and Hungarian country sides as we drift past the Carpathian Mountains and the cities of Bratislava, Durnstein, Linz and Grein.

Kona Music Society Biography


The history of the Kona Music Society (KMS) goes back to the fall of 1990, when Ken Staton, former Chair of the Performing Arts Department at UH Hilo, invited West Hawai‘i residents to form the all-volunteer Kona Community Chorus. Our first concert, December 21, 1990, featured a performance of J.S. Bach’s Christmas Cantata. Since then, the chorus has presented three or four performances, or more, each year for the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike.

In 1994, orchestral accompaniment became an important ongoing part of our programs, and that year also saw the first performance by our Youth Chorus, which has been a vital and popular part of our musical family ever since.

Today, the Kona Music Society is a registered non-profit organization whose mission is to promote excellence in choral & other musical arts for the enrichment of children and adults. Our chorus numbers over 70 singers of all ages and backgrounds, and we have over 20 enthusiastic singers in our Youth Chorus representing 9 West Hawai‘i schools. Choral Conductor Susan McCreary Duprey became Artistic Director of the Kona Music Society in January 2010.

 

Windward Choral Society Biography


The primary purpose and mission of the Windward Choral Society (WCS) is to promote the joy, love and appreciation of multi-cultural choral music within the Windward O‘ahu community and beyond. We are a non-auditioned community-based chorus made up of mixed voices (SATB) from high school ages and up who are residents throughout the Island of O‘ahu.

WCS seeks to achieve our mission by serving the Windward O‘ahu community through the performing arts, by engaging in community outreach and service with choral music and other performing arts. In addition, WCS seeks to achieve our mission by promoting musical excellence among the non-auditioned community-based chorus membership. The vision of WCS is to have a fun, dynamic and inclusive choral community in Windward O‘ahu that is bonded through the universal language of music. The organization was founded by Artistic Director, Susan McCreary Duprey, in September 2008 and currently has 90 members.

 

 

Tour Updates

10/5/11
A reminder that an individual tour contract is required from each tour participant. The tour contract is available on the tour information page or by clicking here.

10/4/11
Welcome to the official A View from the Danube 2012 Tour website!

Seawind Tours & Travel, Inc.

Seawind Tours & Travel, Inc.
725 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 301
Honolulu, HI 96813
Tel: (808) 949-4144
Fax: (808) 944-9996
Email: info@seawindtours.com

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