After spending just a little over 12 hours in Great Falls and Washington D.C., the United States seemed to have made one major impression on the members of the Carlisle Cathedral Youth Choir.
"Everything is really big," said choir member Emma Bell, 16.
Fellow choir member Megan Nelson, 17, was in complete agreement.
"Everything is loads bigger here — especially the houses — they're massive. And the cars are quite big as well. I drive a 1-liter car and there is nothing like that here," said Nelson.
Choir member Oliver Margerison, 13, had the same answer when asked for his first impression of the United States.
"It's really big," he replied. "It's busy, but it's got a good atmosphere."
On Thursday, Oct. 27, the English Youth Choir of Carlisle Cathedral performed a concert at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Great Falls. The choir, made up of singers from ages 13-18, is resident at the 900-year-old Carlisle Cathedral, located in the medieval city of Carlisle in northern England. Great Falls was the choir's first stop during their 5-day trip to the United States, and for the majority of its members, the visit marked an exciting milestone.
"It's the first time they have been to the United States for quite a lot of them, except for three of the boys who were here five years ago," said Choir Matron Aileen Brown.
After performing in Great Falls, the group headed to Carlisle, Pa. a sister city of Carlisle, England.
"They have a hectic program," said Ellis Amos, tour manager for the choir. "We're going to Gettysberg where they will get a tour of the battle site, and then Carlisle, Pa. where they will see a high school football game, get a tour of Carlisle, rehearse, perform and go to Hershey's theme park."
While in Great Falls, the choir members stayed with host families in the area.
"They are having a great time, and the families that have been looking after them have all been so kind and wonderful and lovely," said Aileen Brown.
Neil Weston, Director of Music at St. Catherine's helped to orchestrate the choir's visit to Great Falls. Weston, who is originally from England, says he wanted to continue St. Catherine's tradition of inviting foreign youth choirs to perform at the church.
"Obviously England has a particularly strong tradition of young people singing at a professional level, and this is certainly a tradition that I think is exemplified by cathedral choirs in England," said Weston.
The choir arrived in Great Falls on Wednesday night, Oct. 26, and woke up early Thursday for a tour of the White House and downtown Washington D.C. As exciting as the various tours and activities were, the teenagers did not lose focus on the main purpose of the trip.
"I'm most looking forward to the concerts themselves," said Bell. "I just really, really love singing."