"Once we hit the ground in China we had a most wonderful and educational experience. Top notch from the minute we landed! This was a great experience."
- Dr. Robert Spradling, Western Michigan University Symphonic Band
"This tour was above our greatest expectations. The reception of the Chinese people was warm, enthusiastic and friendly.You can be assured that we will be an extremely positive reference for Music Celebrations!"
- Gerald & Dawn Tedesco, Sussex County Youth Orchestra
"I would like to thank you and the MCI staff for an experience we will never forget! The four concerts you arranged for us were beyond our expectations. There were warm greetings from everyone we met. The hotels, buses, and tour guides were all first class. We were greeted with welcome banners, live music at the airport, and even a welcome ceremony in Xi'an (involving over 50 traditional Chinese performers) where I was presented with the key to the city. I can't wait to go back again. Needless to say, our students and chaperons were totally impressed with the entire trip. Every aspect was beyond all expectation. What else can I say except thanks for the trip of a lifetime!"
- Frank Lestina, Orchestra Director, Illinois
"The USC Trojan Marching Band recently concluded a very successful tour of China. The band received a good deal of press in China. Full color pictures appeared on the front page of the China Times in Beijing as well as the local Xi'an newspaper. Dr. Bartner gave three television interviews. The highlight of the trip was, of course, the performances. The band performed at the Great Wall of China. (The band) also performed to large local crowds... (and) participated in an exchange with a local Beijing elementary school…known for its award-winning traditional Chinese orchestra... it was a great exchange enjoyed by all."
- Dr. Art Bartner, USC Trojan Marching Band, California
"In Europe, you feel like you are tourists paying to go on a trip; in China you feel like a guest or family who has been invited and has been shown around by someone who is a relative and lives there. It's incredible. People going to China are not going to want to go back to Europe... if groups don't go to China with MCI, they are stupid!"
- Sheldon Schlesinger, Central California Youth Symphony
"My head still is spinning from our recent trip to northern China, arranged by MCI . I took 93 instrumentalists from Santa Rosa High School (California) to this fascinating country. Our itinerary included the bustling, sprawling and rapidly changing city of Beijing and the colorful, ancient capitol, Xian. The Great Wall experience at Ju Yong Pass, on the outskirts of Beijing, was the highlight of our 10-day trip. None of us ever will forget the concert we played on the wall, or the nearly two hours we had after the concert to explore this world wonder. MCI's Chinese staff, led by the estimable Sheldon Poon, is amazing! Each of the comfortable, spacious buses has at least one of these folks at all times. Our guide, Judy, is quite possibly the most charming person I've ever met. I'm sure that every group falls in love with her. We heard similar expressions of gratitude and appreciation for the other guides from people on the other buses. I am offering an unequivocal and enthusiastic endorsement of (MCI's) tour package."
- Mark Wardlaw, Santa Rosa High School Band & Orchestra, California
"Words cannot express the value of the experience and the appreciation that we have for you and all of your staff for all that you gave us in this experience. You are a gifted people who shared a great deal with us. Thank you so much."
- Alan Rieck, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire Women's Concert Chorale
"If Americans don't do this tour, they are nuts! We were treated like royalty everywhere we went. This was the most amazing trip I could ever imagine. The cost of the trip for what we got was such a good bargain. The meals were so wonderful, the tour guides were all great, and every concert was just awesome. It was terrific!"
- Mr. Clair Neamand, Parkland High School Choir, Pennsylvania
"The tour has made a lifelong impression on our students in numerous ways, many of which may not surface for years to come. Our students shared their music, their culture and their friendship in a manner that reflects very positively on our school, community and nation. Each night we discovered that there were Chinese officials and music directors in the audience that had come to specifically hear the band from the United States. (The) administrators were very impressed with everything on the tour, and felt it was one of the greatest experiences we could ever have given our students."
- Bill Jastrow, Neuqua Valley High School Band
I wanted to write and let you know just what a wonderful trip it turned out to be! In every way, it far exceeded our expectations and we thank you all sincerely for having made the entire project possible. The whole trip was over the top, fun, educational, enlightening and incredibly rewarding. It truly was the trip of a lifetime and we thank you again for helping to make it possible!
- James Walker, State University of New York at Geneseo Symphony Orchestra
"I would like to write my short evaluation of our Heart of the Valley Chamber and Festival Choir's tour to China. I am moved to do this because I was so VERY impressed with how every tiny detail was handled with grace, thoughtfulness and thoroughness. General tour impression - beyond excellent!!! Everything was done for us, the gorgeous and spectacular ceremony at the South Gate in Xi'an, the party provided for staff and chaperones, the gifts and birthday celebrations given to me and members of the tour. We felt like honored guests in China….the guides were the best we have had in 15 years of touring internationally! They were pleasant, funny, kind, knowledgeable, solicitous, courteous and on and on! We want to go back!"
- Carol Nelson, Heart of the Valley Children's Choir, Oregon
"(MCI) did an extraordinary job of providing us with one of the finest international tours with which I have been associated. The concert venues were superb. They were large facilities with stages and adequate room for the orchestra. Audiences were excellent with an average of over 700 persons in attendance per concert or close to 5,000 total. The arrangements at the concerts were above and beyond all expectations."
- Al Behrends, tour manager, Gustavus Adolphus Orchestra, Minnesota
"Over the past twenty years, I have traveled extensively with performing groups to Europe, South America, Israel, and Southern Africa, and I have found our recent tour with MCI to China, the most successful and well organized tour of all. Our concerts were extremely well organized, publicized and well attended. We had opportunities to interact with students, faculty and the general public, which was of tremendous value to me and my students. Our tour guides were exceptional, and the attention to detail by the support staff was meticulous and professional. Hats off to Sheldon Poon and the Chinese support staff for making our China tour so enjoyable. I thank Music Celebrations International for affording me and my students the opportunity and tour of a lifetime. We can't wait to return to China!"
- Dr. Ilse-Mari Lee, Montana State University Cello Ensemble
"The whole thing was wonderful. (The guides) were the best I have ever had!! They were very knowledgeable and very gracious. We did a few impromptu performances, like at the Marshal Arts School (and the) Great Wall of China…what a great experience! We had a lot of fun here. Joint concert with the Little Swan Chorus had an overflow crowd here! Standing room only! Loved it! The kids really got into it and were very interested in everything we saw. They got to interact with the Chinese kids…we shared a meal together and the kids exchanged e-mail addresses and some of my kids have already received e-mails. I really liked this trip! This was my 5th tour and it was by far the tops!"
- Carol Baird, Youngstown Connection, Ohio
"The Niceville High School (Florida) Niceville Singers returned from China excited and satisfied with an outstanding performance tour. The tour exceeded all expectations and dissolved any previously held fears of traveling to China. . . To say that MCI had organized quality concert opportunities with outstanding venues would be a huge understatement... My singers were exposed to some of the best learning opportunities imaginable - performances with fine Chinese choirs as well as being safely and comfortably transported to the ancient and historical sights of China - places that most people will only read about or see on television. The MCI staff - managed by Sheldon Poon and Patrick Liu - took special care to make sure our 2006 tour was everything promised - and more…MCI made touring China as easy - if not easier - than touring Europe. American music directors who tour internationally with their choirs should make a Chinese tour a must-go destination. To those who have never toured internationally before - China is a great musical place to start!"
- Michael Dye, Niceville High School Singers, Florida
"We don't know where to begin to thank you and your MCI China Team for taking such excellent care of us during our two week visit to China. Your service to us showed genuine care and concern and your personal touches and attention to detail did not go unnoticed. Your Team did an outstanding job on marketing our performances and your enthusiasm for our music-making gave us a real lift. We were thrilled with the crowds at each performance; they were indeed very attentive also. Your team was so professional, kind, patient, courteous and genuinely cared about each individual on the tour. They did an outstanding job of translating and providing important and up-to-date information about each city and all aspects of the tours. The buses were terrific and proved to be great 'homes-on-wheels' for us, providing air-conditioned respite from the heat and humidity outside. In business 'giving the client more than they expect' is good business. Sincere thanks to all."
- Jim McCormick, President, Sacramento Choral Society, California
