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2008 Martin Luther –
Festival of
Choirs |
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A singing pilgrimage
in the footsteps of Martin Luther |
Trip
Details
Click here for .pdf of Trip
Details
Highlights:
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Perform Lutheran music in places
where Luther worked, lived and
prayed
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Perform individual choir concerts
at the historic Augustinian
Abbey in Erfurt, where Luther
was a monk
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Perform a mass sing with Lutheran
music under the direction of
Dietrich Ehrenwert – Music
Director of the Augustinian Choir
and
Church
State Music
Director of the state Saxony
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Visit the Luther and Bach House in
Eisenach
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Tour
Wittenberg and see the famous 95 Theses on the castle
church door - Luther is buried
under the pulpit
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Visit the famous “Merchants
Church” where Luther preached
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Sing at the Luther memorial in
front of the
Merchants Church
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Stay 4 nights in
Erfurt, first mentioned in 724, the town that Luther called “the
perfect place for a city”
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Visit the
Wartburg
Castle,
a UNESCO World Heritage Site,
where Luther lived in protective
custody. He assumed the name
Junker Joerg and translated the
New Testament from Greek into
German. Also one of the authentic
locations of the famous “Luther”
movie, an US American / German
co-production.
Why sing at the Martin Luther –
Festival of Choirs?
Music, Faith and Fun.
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Music: |
The international language that
brings people together. You
love to sing and share your
music with other people.
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Faith: |
Combine your faith with the
opportunity to sing in authentic
Luther sites in Germany creating
an experience for professional
exchange and spiritual growth. |
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Fun: |
You love to participate in well
organized choir festivals, where
you get to listen to other
excellent choirs, but also have
the opportunity to be part of a
truly international choir as you
join together in a mass sing.
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Whether you are an experienced
festival attendee, or this is your
first festival, you will slake your
passion for singing and your thirst
for knowledge and history.
Martin Luther – Prophet, Teacher and
Hero: “Here I stand. I cannot do
otherwise”
Life Magazine ranked Martin Luther
as the 3rd most
influential person in the past
Millennium.
The
theological and spiritual strength
and dynamics of this remarkable man
have not only changed the face of
Europe, but have ultimately reached
people all over the world. The
churches of the Reformation and,
more specifically, those who carry
his name as “Lutherans” today
represent a worldwide confessional
family. Because of his refusal to
recant his 95 Theses at the Diet of
Worms, Luther went into hiding at
the Wartburg Castle, and it was here
that he began the translation of
the Bible into German.
He inspired the development of
congregational singing within
Christianity, and his best known
hymn is “A Might Fortress is our
God”.
Why Erfurt, Germany?
Erfurt is the ideal setting for this
festival because of its rich
Lutheran history. Martin Luther once
said: “Erfurt
is situated in the best location. It
is the perfect place for a city.”
It is here that he studied law
(1501-05) before joining the
Augustinian monastery (1505-1509).
He then studied at the University of
Erfurt and became Doctor of
Theology (1512).
Erfurt is characterized by its
medieval city center, half-timbered
buildings and inhabited
Kraemerbruecke (Merchants’ Bridge).
The dramatic Cathedral steps will
become a meeting point for festival
participants. The centrally located
hotel is within walking distance to
the Luther sites, shopping and
restaurants. Other famous
personalities that lived in Erfurt
are Napoleon, Goethe and Johann
Sebastian Bach.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1, Wednesday July
2, 2008 USA –
Frankfurt, Germany
Board your
international flight to Frankfurt,
Germany. Meals and snacks will be
served on the flight.
Day 2, Thursday July
3, 2008
Frankfurt,
Erfurt,
Reception
 Arrive
Frankfurt in the morning. Be greeted
by a Trump Tours tour manager who
will be with you until departure.
Transfer to Erfurt and check into
your hotel. Relax in your hotel or
explore the city.
After dinner at the
hotel, join the other participants
in an impromptu sing at the
Luther memorial in front of the
historic Merchants’ Church,
where Luther preached. Join your
tour manager on a walk to the
Augustinian Abbey, built in
1131, for an official reception for
all participating choirs. (D)
Day 3, Friday July 4,
2008
Sightseeing, Rehearsal & Concert
After breakfast at
the hotel embark on a two hour
guided city tour where you will walk
in the footsteps of Martin Luther.
Following the tour, enjoy time on
your own for lunch. In the afternoon
transfer to the famous Augustinian
Abbey where you will meet all
participating choirs for a workshop
and first rehearsal. The rehearsal
is led by Dietrich Ehrenwert, music
director of the Augustinian Abbey.
Dinner will be served at the Abbey.
In the evening, each choir performs
a 20-30 minute concert in the
“Kreuzhof” (Cloisters) of the Abbey.
(B, D)
Day 4, Saturday July
5, 2008
Wartburg Castle, Festival highlight
– Mass Sing
 After
breakfast, board your bus and visit
the majestic Wartburg Castle, a
UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Luther arrived here in 1521 and
lived in protective custody. He
assumed the name Junker Joerg and
translated the New Testament from
Greek into German. Visit the
authentic “Luther
Room”.
Continue to Eisenach to visit the
Luther Haus (lived here during
his school years) and Bach
Monument and House (Johann
Sebastian Bach was born here).
A typical
‘Thuringian’ lunch of regional
specialties will be specially
prepared for your group.
After returning to
Erfurt, join the other participants
for the final rehearsal for
tonight’s main event – the mass
sing. Time to refresh with dinner
served at the hotel. Transfer to
venue for final mass concert. (B, L,
D)
Day 5, Sunday July 6,
2008
Sightseeing, Shopping
After breakfast spend
the day at your leisure. We can
arrange for you to sing at a church
service or visit one of the
surrounding towns. We highly
recommend visiting
Wittenberg
today to see the famous 95 Theses if
you decide not to take the tour
extension. Farewell dinner this
evening for your choir. (B, D)
Day
6, Monday July 7, 2008
Depart
Following breakfast,
pack your bags and check out of the
hotel. Transfer to the airport and
flight back to the US or continue
with your post tour. (B)
Included in your tour
v
4 nights Accommodations in 3-4 star
city center hotel
v
9 meals: Breakfast and dinner each
day; Typical German lunch on
Saturday
v
Transportation provided in luxury
air-conditioned motor coach as
described
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Luther themed walking tour of Erfurt
with local English speaking
historical guides
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Tour of Wartburg Castle (UNESCO
World Heritage site), where Luther
translated the Bible
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Sing at a local church service, if
desired
v
Welcome reception on first night
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Workshop and Rehearsal in
Augustinian Abbey (Friday afternoon)
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20-30 min evening performance for
individual choir in Augustinian
Abbey (Friday evening)
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Workshop and Rehearsal in evening
venue
v
Main event with mass sing
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Full time bi-lingual tour manager
v
One suitcase and one carry-on.
Additional suitcases will incur a
charge of $50 per suitcase.
Not
included in price are museum
entrances not listed, tips for
driver and tour escort, passport &
visa fees, public transportation,
personal items, beverages at meals,
travel insurance.
All
prices are based on current exchange
rates. Itinerary subject to change.
Price
$799
per person (based on double
occupancy) – Land only.
$199 (Single Supplement)
All prices are based on current
exchange rates. Itinerary subject to
change.
Not included in price are museum
entrances not listed, tips for
driver and tour escort, passport &
visa fees, public transportation,
personal items, beverages at meals,
travel insurance.
Airfare
Please contact Trump Tours for
airfare.
Music
Trump
Tours will provide you with the
mandatory music for the mass sing.
Insurance
We
strongly recommend that everyone
protects their vacation investment
with travel insurance. We recommend
TravelGuard Essential comprehensive
travel protection plan. The details
are provided on the registration
brochure.
Recommended Extensions
We
highly suggest you take this
opportunity to visit other beautiful
and historic sites in Germany or its
surrounding countries. Trump Tours
will gladly help you arrange these
additional days. We can also arrange
further concerts for your choir.
Please request our
“Recommended Extension”
brochure. We gladly customize them
to your needs.
Berlin Extension:
Leipzig – Eisleben - Dresden –
Meissen - Wittenberg – Berlin
Frankfurt Extension:
Wuerzburg – Rothenburg - Frankfurt –
Worms – Rhein (wineregion)
Muenich Extension:
Nuernberg, Augsburg, Muenchen,
Neuschwanstein, Bavarian Alps,
Salzburg
APPLY HERE
Trip
Details
Important
Information
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to Participate
Extend Your
Tour
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