Somerville students enjoy a musical trip to West Point

Four days after the Marathon bombings, John Dres and Alex Santos of Somerville, together with 40 other members of the select Boston College High School Chamber Choir, were about to leave for a West Point concert tour, when the Boston lockdown in pursuit of the second 'Marathon Bomber' delayed all travel out of the city. Once the lockdown was lifted they set out from NY and arrived in Poughkeepsie at midnight and much to their surprise our boys found welcoming notes on their pillows saying 'Boston Strong.'

 Despite losing a full day's itinerary because of the delay, the original schedule was resumed. Saturday's activities included a tour of the Vanderbilt Mansion and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library and Museum. This was followed by a trip to the Regina Coeli Catholic Church in Hyde Park to sing at Mass followed by a concert. Both priest and parishioners were grateful to have the choir with them not only for their music but also for the effort the boys made in coming to join them.

On Sunday they visited the United States Military Academy at West Point and the renown Cadet Chapel. Here the BC High Chamber Choir  sang at the Worship Service after which an inspirational concert was performed with several cadets joining in . Following the service a brunch was held on campus at the Thayer Hotel. After a guided tour of the academy the choir returned by bus to Boston College High School that evening.

“I learned a lot about the nation's history,” said Santos, “through the tours of FDR's house, West Point and the Vanderbilt Mansion. Coppola's, Shadows on the Hudson and the Thayer Hotel all had excellent food. And we performed in such beautiful places as Regina Coeli Church and the West Point Chapel.This trip has definitely provided me memories and experiences that I'll never forget and cherish forever.

“I'm also sad that it's over because it was an extremely fun and pleasant experience that'll be hard for me to top in the future. Overall, I definitely believe that this has been one of the most enjoyable experiences during my time here at BC High.”

Boston College High School is a Jesuit, Catholic, college-preparatory school for young men founded in 1863.  The school enrolls approximately 1600 students from more than 100 communities in eastern Massachusetts. For more http://www.bchigh.edu