I am currently writing this in traffic on the 25 of April bridge at 9:45 PM, as we are still driving back from beautiful Fátima. Today we had a busy but amazing last day in Portugal! We woke up this morning at 7 AM for our final breakfast, and, after a stop at the store for bus snacks, we embarked on our busiest day yet. We left at 9 for a bit of a journey — almost two hours to Fátima — 80 miles north of Lisbon.
Fátima is a quaint, quiet town in the center of Portugal, with only about 13,000 residents. It is famous, however, its religious significance in the Catholic church, being home to an appearance of the Virgin Mary in 1917, in the middle of WWI. Three local shepherd children: Jacinta, Francisco, Luciana witnessed the Virgin Mary on a hilltop outside of the center, upon which there is now an immense series of basilicas and chapels.
We arrived to the best weather we’ve had yet for lunch in the village. There were a plethora of restaurant choices (serving mostly cod, of course), and we all finished lunch within the hour, an impressive feat Portuguese restaurants! After lunch we enjoyed a quick walk back to the church for rehearsal.
After our rehearsal (in an extremely hot room), we performed at a mass in Fátima’s outdoor chapel in the center of the site. The celebration was beautiful, rearranging music from our previous liturgy to perfect the mass at Fátima. We had a great conversation with one of the priests who was Jesuit at Boston College, and who spoke of us about becoming priests ourselves.
We immediately returned to the rehearsal room, where we were introduced to two different youth choirs, one from Dijon, France, and another local Portuguese choir. They introduced us to a breathtaking new song, one which we were able to perform together during one of Fátima’s famous rosary prayer ceremonies. Finally, we concluded our amazing performance with an Ave Maria.
We then departed the site (we may have gotten a bit lost on the way out), going straight to the bus ride home. By 7:30, we were on the road (after a chaotic clothes change on the bus), and after a bit of traffic in Lisbon, here we are. This has been our busiest day yet, but we couldn’t have asked for a better conclusion the trip.
Muito obrigado to everyone that made this possible!
As I am writing this the BC High Chior is currently stuck in traffic on the way back from another exciting day in Portugal. I was hoping to write this after dinner, but because of the traffic, I am being told that I have to do it now. So without further adieu, here is my recounting of the sixth day of the BC High Chior Portugal Trip.
The day began bright and early, starting with a wake-up call at 6:30 (which students were not super fond of). We all put on our white shirts and blazers before rushing to the lobby for a quick breakfast.
We were on a tight schedule this morning as we didn’t want to be late for any of our activties in the town of Évora. So we all threw down some coffee and pastries, prepared our binders for the concert, and got comfortable on the bus for a nice 90 minute ride.
After a ride filled mostly with making up on our minimal sleep, we arrived in Évora. Here we were quickly unloaded off the bus and introduced to several wonderful students from the Salesianos Religous Primary and Secondary Schools. They then gave us a tour of the school where we got to see there classrooms, there very nice courtyard, and their game room (something BC High should consider adding to its campus).
After seeing the Portuguese students at work and having given many fist bumps to the little kids, we headed to the auditorium. Here we rehearsed our music and prepared for the concert. We then sang our hearts out infront of the whole school, especially Ben who had a beautiful solo in the song “Coffee”.
Once we finished the concert, we answered some audience questions about life in America and who was the best soocer player (correct answer: Messi). We then made our way to the cafeteria for lunch with the other studnets before heading outside to play some games. After some games of volleyball we said our goodbyes and headed off to tour Évora.
On our tour of Évora we saw many beautiful and amazing sites, including ancient Roman ruins and medieval walls. We were able to learn about the history of the town and some of its industries like cork wood production.
One of my favorite things on the tour was the chapel of bones. This was a haunting chapel made of the bones of 5,000 people. The whole place was built as a reminder of mortality and the finite nature of life.
After coming to terms with our own mortality, we had some free time to go and explore Évora before we hopped on the bus and headed back to the hotel in Lisbon, which is where we got stuck in traffic for a long time.
After what felt like ages in the bus, we finally made it back to the hotel. Once here, we ran to the restaurant to have some delicious hamburgers and pizza. At the end of the meal, all seniors offered Dr. Rozenberg a traditional farewell to mark our time in choir coming to an end. We also upheld another tradition; we sang Happy Birthday to Dr. Rozenberg and presented her with a birthday gift, a cork bag to hold her music papers.
Today was another wonderful day for the BC High Choir and we can’t wait for tomorrow!
On the fourth day of our Portugal adventure, we had a riveting schedule of events. From our 9:00 A.M lesson in Portuguese, to our guided tour of the Fragata D. Fernando II E Gloria and the Estadio Da Luz, many members of the choir consider today to be their favorite day so far on our journey.
Starting the day with a 7:00 a.m. wake-up, we made our way to the main lobby to have breakfast together. Shortly after, we had a brief rehearsal together, perfecting the choir’s unanimous favorite “Coffee” song.
Immediately following our rehearsal, we made our way downstairs to have a Portuguese lesson by Professor Angelo. Although our teacher promised us that we would be fluent in the language by the end of our hour-long lesson, I can assure you that the majority of us are still not even close to that goal.
We had a few minutes to gather our things before we left for our tour of the infamous Fragata D. Fernando II E Gloria and the Submarino Barracuda. On our tour of the Fragata, we learned about the roles of each of the workers on the sixty by twelve meter ship. Our impressive tour guide informed us that the ship sometimes held up to 600 people and 1000 different animals.
After our informative tour of the two ships, we had some free time around the area to have a bite to eat and buy some souvenirs. It turned out to be a beautiful day, and a lot of us got some sun (some, unfortunately, got more than others).
We met up as a group and embarked on a short bus ride to the world-famous Estadio Da Luz, home of the Sport Lisboa e Benifica soccer team. We started our adventure at the stadium by going through their museum; their showcases of their trophy collection was nothing short of spectacular. The museum showed the history of the club since its creation in 1904.
Following our tour of the museum, we followed our tour guide, João, around the stadium. Together, we first saw a replica of the entire stadium showing us a glimpse into what we would be experiencing shortly after. We then walked around the upper deck of the stadium, seeing the field from a fan’s point of view, and we stopped for a moment to take pictures of the stadium. Later, we visited the stadium’s locker room and even got to walk on the outskirts of the field, seeing what it would be like to actually be a player on Benifica Football Club. Promptly after our tour concluded, our wonderful instructor, Pablo, told us that we would have ten minutes to buy souvenirs in the shop, so we all hurried to look around and possibly purchase some merchandise.
After our tour of the stadium, we enjoyed a wonderful dinner together at a local restaurant where they served rice, chicken, french fries, and a plethora of desserts. Following the conclusion of our meal, we boarded back on the bus and went back to our hotel to have a brief, yet informative meeting together, led by Doctor Rozenberg.
Today was an informative, adventurous, and jam-packed day with fun activities, and our experience thus far in Portugal has certainly not disappointed.
DAY 3, April 21 Reflection by Sebastian Ortiz Gonzalez ’25
Today’s adventure through Sintra felt like a walk through a magical tale. The BC High Choir’s day was full of grandeur, history, and yes, ice cream for some of us.
After an early wake-up, the group shared breakfast together. After we ate, we gathered in the hotel lobby for a brief warm-up, filling the space with ‘Canção do Mar’, a hauntingly beautiful Portuguese melody in honor of our tour guide Gilberto. We also sang Happy Birthday to Ben who turned seventeen today.
Then, we were off to Sintra. The road wound up through lush, misty hills, and eventually we reached the Pena Palace and Park, a multicolor dream built high above the clouds. Originally a monastery, the site was transformed in the 19th century into a palace by King Ferdinand II who was known for his interesting tastes. After the death of his first wife (with whom he had eleven children), Ferdinand fell for Elise Hensler, a Swiss-American opera singer. Their relationship sparked royal scandal, and tabloids of the time had a field day. Eventually, Elise was granted the title Countess of Edla, and she helped design much of the surrounding park, introducing exotic plant species like giant sequoias and crafting chalet-style homes that quickly became fashionable among European nobility.
Inside the palace, we were greeted by ‘Romantic’ architecture, with a variety of influences including Moorish and Hindu. From Triton statues that sparked conversations about their resemblance to the Starbucks logo, to molded stucco ceilings imitating Moorish tile work, the space was a visual feast. The yellow exterior walls, a color linked to the Braganza royal family, glowed in the fog and mist. And the intricate tile work, some dating back to the 16th century, reflected Portugal’s layered history, with references to many of its most iconic monuments.
After descending from Pena, we explored Sintra, shopped, and ate lunch. The group then made its way to the Quinta da Regaleira. Designed by Luigi Manini, who incorporated the Portuguese Gothic rope designs into his Italian architecture. We wandered past carved towers and peered into the ‘Initiation Well’ with its spiral staircase descending into shadow and legend.
Before dinner, we made a quick stop to admire the Atlantic Ocean and the Cresmina Dunes in Cascais. We stood in awe of the crashing waves, steep cliffs, and a horizon that seemed to stretch forever.
We boarded the bus once more, heading to a nice meal at A Quinta, where food and laughter flowed. Spirits were high, stomachs full, and the bus buzzed with energy.
Throughout the bus ride back to the hotel and in the lobby, lots and lots of firm reminders from Dr. Rozenberg about behavior (and JUG threats) brought the day to a close.
Today, Sintra and Cascais gifted us with stories of love and scandal, mystery and architecture, harmony and history. And despite the morning rain, it was an incredible day.
“Exhilarating.” “Eye-opening.” “Sacred.” “Unifying.” It is infrequent that one has the opportunity to attend Easter mass in Lisbon, to immerse in the stunning architecture of an 1850 neoclassical cathedral or to receive communion while the smell of burning incense lingers. It is even more infrequent that one is able to sing during said mass, to gather on high balconies while song echoes off the baroque-styled coved ceilings. Today, however, the BC High choir had the privilege of doing both.
With an early wake up time and a brief 7:30 am breakfast, the group enjoyed a delicious array of eggs, bacon, and other pastries before hurriedly getting ready. Dressed in formal attire (practically disguised as hotel severs) the choir began rehearsal—singing liturgical songs, “Panis Angelicus,” and everyone’s favorite “Coffee” for all passing through the lobby.
After warming up, the group boarded the bus and headed off for St. Nicolau Church, catching glimpses of the historical abundance bursting throughout Baixa: the Monument of the Restorers (restorers of independence), the 1843 “white seas” tiles marking walkways, and the gothic medieval structure of Rossio Train Station.
Once inside St. Nicolau and after a quick fiddling with the organ and repertoire, the 12 o’clock procession began. Full of beautiful resonance, the choir coalesced with the service, enlivening the atmosphere through skillful navigation of music from “Gloria” to “Crucem Tuam” to “Love is Love” with local mass attendees. Despite the language barrier, the warm invitation of all present was overwhelming and students were able to experience something only capable of being described as “magical.”
With the conclusion of mass and each student now carrying bags full of Easter treats courtesy of the priest, the group returned to Lisbon Center where students had the opportunity to split off in groups for lunch. Circling the lower portion of the city, a region marked with rich imagery from the pre earthquake period (1775) to the abolishment of the Portuguese Monarchy in 1910, students ate cuisine ranging from pastel de nata to McDonald’s and fled in and out of gift shops (even buying a new pair of shoes).
After a late lunch, the group began their ascent to the São Jorge Castle, traversing the hilly landscape of Lisbon through elevator lifts, strolls through old shopping centers, and leaps over uneven cobblestone roads. Upon arrival at the 8th century BC fortress, Gilberto guided students through the ancient structure where they—besides temporarily stopping for the astonishing sight of a peacock dance display—observed the Alfama area from the highest walls. In particular, the group got a full view of Panteão Nacional, a Baroque styled national monument housing the tombs of some of Portugal’s most distinguished figures (e.g. Amália Rodrigues).
Slowly descending the 300 foot elevation, the choir returned to the bus and, after a quick stop at the Tower of Belem—built between 1514 and 1519 as a defensive structure against imposing pirates on Portuguese trading posts—headed to dinner. At Ristorante Pizzeria Gelateria, located right on the Tagus River, students enjoyed unlimited drinks, savory pizza, and creamy gelato before a lively (juxtaposition to the night prior) bus ride back to the hotel to prepare for the early morning travel to Sintra.
DAY 1: April 18-19 Reflection by Ryan O’Malley ’25
¡Olá! from Portugal.
BC High Choir has experienced a tiring and busy past 24 hours—from travel to waiting in never-ending customs lines to bus rides to and from the hotel—yet an exciting and adventurous first day in Portugal. From the dazzling sights of Lisbon to delectable, authentic Portuguese cuisine, the choir has enjoyed a range of unique activities and cannot wait for what is to come.
Beginning Friday night, the group sailed through Logan Airport check-in, security, and gate arrival, leaving plenty of time for students to disperse and savor a pre-flight dinner (mostly Wahlburgers). At the gate, students unwinded on their phones, competed in card games, and diligently caught up on school work until boarding around 10 pm.
With an on-time departure, the choir was off and away to Lisbon. Though bumpy at points, the flight was relatively smooth. During the 6 hours and 13-minute journey into Saturday morning, students slept, continued to chip away at JTP writing, and enjoyed a complimentary meal (if they were awake to order it).
Once touched down in Aéroport International de Lisbonne, the travel time only extended, with navigation of custom lines spanning what felt like the same time as the flight, but standing as opposed to sitting (2 hours and 29 minutes to be specific, but who’s counting?).
After inching through customs, the group met with tour guides Pablo and Gilberto and boarded the bus. On their ride to the hotel, students had the opportunity to observe the stunning landscape of the Lisbon metropolitan area (e.g. 1741 aqueduct, Jardim de Estrela, and Sanctuary of Christ the King) and learn about the region’s rich and ever-evolving history.
Upon arriving at the hotel, the choir briefly checked in and then headed to lunch, enjoying a buffet of diverse dishes: soup, rice, whiting fish, and desserts such as jello and sponge cake.
After lunch, students embarked on a comprehensive tour of the surrounding area. For starters, the group headed to the Sanctuary of Christ the King in Almada—a 361-foot-tall structure erected in 1959 as a form of gratitude for the Portuguese being spared from the destructive effects of WWII. Though temporarily berated by a brief rainstorm, students ascended the sculpture and experienced an incomparable, breathtaking view of Lisbon, Mar de Palha, and Ponte 25 de Abril from the sky. Of course, everyone bought some souvenirs along the way. Next, the tour shifted to bring the group back to Lisbon, spending time in the Park of Edward the Seventh, glancing at Castle Hill, and learning about the city’s reconstruction after the earthquake of 1755. Lastly, after a closer look at the statue of Pombal on the Avenue of Liberty, the choir headed to dinner.
Tucked away in the city’s heart, the restaurant of Santa Marta offered a vibrant, lively, and delicious conclusion to the day. Students enjoyed dishes from meatballs to flan to endless slices of bread before returning to the hotel and falling asleep (if they had not already been on the bus ride from dinner).
One does not know true bliss until they have visited Europe, or until they have sung with Dr. Rozenberg in Europe. A wise Polish man told me on my way to the Netherlands, “Whenever I come back from Europe, I feel re-energized. You should use that when you come back.” We all had different experiences on this trip: whether we spent most of our time in the moment, savoring the local cuisine, appreciating the unending natural and artistic beauty of Holland, or snapping as many photos as we could.
Some immediately passed out on the bus rides while others took numerous selfies (many with said passed-out people). Some absorbed the infinite lush and picturesque scenery of the windmill-dotted Dutch landscape. Some of us relaxed on the flight home or were kept up by my endless conversation with a stranger (if you were, then I deeply apologize.) But in the end, two things are for certain…we immersed ourselves in a new and inviting culture and we sang and performed incredibly well. The BC High Choir left its mark on the Netherlands and the Netherlands most definitely left an indelible mark on the BC High Choir.
7:04 a.m. CET (Central European Time) ’Twas the morning before leaving when all through the lobby not a student was stirring not even my friend Bobby. The suitcases were stuffed in the hotel with care, in hopes that the room checkers would not be there…
In the dreary and rainy morning, only the teachers and a few coffee-enthusiast students were to be seen in the lobby. The rest were either still blissful in their sweet dreams or experiencing the nightmare of packing. Those who ventured down to the lobby were destined to be met with the question, “Have you finished packing yet?” Before 7:00, this answer was a definite “No”. Only one brave soul shilly-shallied in the lobby, subjecting himself to the possibility of the ever-present interrogations of Dr. Rozenberg. And no, he did not eat breakfast; his stomach was on a union coffee break.
7:15 a.m. Finally, at around 7:20, some early risers drudged downstairs for the usual monotonous, but satisfyingly hearty breakfast. Unfortunately, Bill was still nowhere to be found.
By 8:08 a.m. Bill finally arrived in the lobby. “Yes, I was doing both,” admitted Bill, when I asked him if he was “shilly-shallying” and “dilly-dallying” in his room. Also around this time, more students had arrived to make their final chocolate-drizzled waffles and to consume their last dry and flaky crumpets. Mr. Mackey and Mrs. Simonelli would also be conducting their final room checks today, room checks that will hopefully turn up nothing bad. Most of the students had returned to their rooms at around 8:20, likely to resume their last chance of monkey business in the Netherlands. The downpour and bleak weather of today resembled the mood of our group as we prepared to leave. While we do look forward to waking up in our own beds and not to be packed onto a bus this weekend, we will all dearly miss the Netherlands. The sights we saw were likely the most beautiful our eyes have had to behold in our youthful days, granting us an unforgettable experience. While most of us don’t look forward to returning to the monotonous everyday grind of school and homework, we can be grateful for what we have at BC High. When we visited the Jesuit public school on Tuesday, more than a few of us noticed how small it was, given that there were 2000 kids enrolled in Stanislas College. The lockers they had were footlockers, and a field they had for sports looked like an underdeveloped tennis court. So, hopefully our mood will be improved upon returning to BC High by appreciating how wonderfully big and full of opportunities our school is.
9:40 a.m. Our choir gathered for the final performance in the hotel lobby, at the request of the hotel staff. We sang the National Anthem there, which delighted the staff to the point that they too were filming. We then began singing the gorgeous Hallelujah song, to tell the staff that we had indeed heard of a baby boy that came to earth to bring them joy. In the middle of it, Dr. insisted the staff join us, which they did. The singing by our young men and their young women was gorgeous, truly angelic. We then packed up and went on to the bus after waiting for a little while. When on the bus, I was truly blessed to have a surprise Happy Birthday sung to me by everyone (including Bill)! I wasn’t expecting this at all, and it made my day, and maybe my entire week. On our way to the airport, we kept our mood up by playing all the classics and singing along to them. The sleepy heads in the back missed out on a lot, but they had their moments early on in the trip. This time it was the moms’ turn. Since Mrs. Remley controlled the music and the speaker, she could play whatever she wanted. At first, it was all right since the music was well-liked by everyone, but then Mrs. Remley discovered a playlist on Spotify named “90s Mom’s Anthem.” This is something I must bury in the Mariana Trench so my Mom may never find out about it. To the present husbands’ dismay, as well as to most people on the bus, all of the moms naturally approved. The Coup De’Speaker had been staged. It was only due to the benevolence of Mrs. Remley that our choice of the timeless classic “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” was played, which a few students in the front sang along to. There was an exception of Adam, who had sadly lost his voice days ago. However, at the end of the trip, “When Doves Cry” by Prince played, a banger that everyone could enjoy. Who doesn’t know Prince?
12:00 p.m. We arrived at the airport, where security took as long as it always does, but at least our flight wasn’t delayed.
5:33 p.m. We are all on the plane now, as we got on a couple of hours ago. A young troublemaker was caught in the middle of his monkey business by Dr. Rozenberg. He was overusing the service button, calling the flight attendant and hiding, deserting her poor soul in the No Man’s Land of the Isle. “Unbelievable.” Dr. Rozenberg commented. Dr. threatened to JUG this whippersnapper for an entire week, but her merciful heart gave him one more chance.
6:53 p.m. We are all relaxing on the plane. The flight departed on time delayed and was not as miserable as the previous one, which was delayed until around 11:00 p.m. The delay at the start of our trip left us all exhausted and riddled with headaches. Poor Dr. also had a migraine. At one point during our today’s flight, the adults got up and started talking with each other, a great improvement from our flight last week.
4:03 p.m. EST We arrived back in Boston six hours into the past! We left Amsterdam around 2:30 p.m. and arrived home just after 4:00 p.m. After we trudged through the long security line, we at last were greeted by our loving parents! There, we bade farewell to Dr. Rozenberg, Mrs. Smyth, and the rest of our choir friends with whom we shared these priceless memories.
Ben Campolongo ’26
Note: Below are more pictures from Day 6 in the tulip gardens and in Volendam. Pictures from throughout the week will come tomorrow.
Today was quite eventful for the BC High choir boys. We started the day, per usual, with breakfast at the hotel. It included the usual smorgasbord of unseasoned eggs, ham, waffles and many more options. Yummy! We all then trudged to the bus to begin our long and arduous journey to one of the main attractions of the day. The first place we went was to the Keukenhof, also known as the Garden of Europe, where we had the chance to roam and smell the tulips. Thousands of tulips bloomed as far as we could see in a variety of vibrant colors. There were other attractions that could be viewed and enjoyed as well. For example, the giant windmill. The windmill was powered by many wooden gears and instruments. What a mechanical marvel! The Keukenhof also has many good food spots where you can enjoy burgers, Belgian waffles, and cookie crumbles (which were just crushed up strop waffle pieces). It was all truly a sight to behold.
Later, we went to the town of Volendam. This particular outing was special because of the long amount of time we had to ourselves. We were allowed to explore the small town separately from our chaperones, during most of our stay. We visited the cheese factory and tasted the multitudes of cheeses that they made. We also visited the Volendam football stadium and watched the team’s practice. It was surreal to see these athletes actually play since most of them had existed to us only in the form of Wikipedia articles. The Volendam Football Club is ranked 17th in the league they play in! Although the added freedom was much appreciated, I did miss Bill’s wisdom and dry British wit.
Finally, the group boarded a ferry to Marken Island. I was especially lucky because my Mom bought me a Belgian waffle (I love you, Mom!). The boat ride was splendid. A wide, blue ocean surrounded us and hugged the boat. We arrived at the island of Marken about 30 minutes later. The picturesque time capsule of a town was defined by its great sky and “antique homes”. Taverne de Visscher was the restaurant of choice, and we had an amazing selection of food. It included a spread of tantalizing tomato soup, raw cuts of herring, and perfectly seasoned cutlets of chicken. What really defined this time, though, were the “Senior Speeches” to Dr. Rozenberg. The feeling of gratitude and camaraderie was only boosted with each speech. The speeches from the four Seniors truly encapsulated our special and individual experiences with Dr. Rozenberg as well as the love we have for her. In the end this was one to remember; it was the perfect ending to an amazing trip.
The fifth day of our grand tour was definitely the most intense and fast paced of any day. We all felt this from the moment we woke up this morning before 6:00. After waking up we had breakfast and listened to some announcements before packing our bags with our formal attire, which is the attire we wore for our Christmas Concert last year. We hopped on the bus at 7:15 and set out for Antwerp, Belgium.
Our time in Antwerp began with a city tour. We saw a plethora of buildings and statues during this tour as well as learned about the history of Antwerp. Some of the coolest things we saw were the Our Lady of Antwerp Cathedral and the statue of Silvius Barbo, a mythical Roman soldier and founder of Antwerp. The statue I found most interesting was of the Belgian folklore character Lange Wapper.
After the tour we had lunch at De 7 Schaken where many of us tried black pudding for the first time. Sadly, our lunch was cut short due to our tight schedule, so we weren’t able to enjoy all the food to the fullest extent. After lunch, we changed into our formal attire and did a collaborative concert with the children’s choir of the Our Lady of Antwerp Cathedral. The concert went very well, and I must say, the children’s choir was outstanding.
We then proceeded to go to the Chocolate Nation Museum. While there, we learned about how chocolate is made and sampled some of the chocolate flavors they had. My favorite was the fruity Ruby Chocolate, the unique fourth form of chocolate (after dark, milk, and white) which was only discovered in 2017. After our sampling session, we all purchased our fair share of Belgian chocolate, and in one case, an accidental purchase of chocolate scented soap. We all left Chocolate Nation very happy and boarded the bus back to our hotel in Delft, Netherlands.
We arrived back in Delft around 8:00 p.m. and finally had time to get dinner. Dinner tonight was more freeform, with all of us breaking off into different groups and restaurants around Delft. My group headed for ramen but got to the restaurant too late and ended up at McDonalds. The other group got Italian. Two of our students went on a double date with two of the girls from the Stanislas College that we visited yesterday. This was a fun and relaxing night and a great way to end a very busy day.
BC High Concert Choir 