Arrive in Boston, Massachusetts where your Music Contact International tour manager will greet your group. Get to know this historic city and stretch your legs on a guided tour of Boston’s Freedom Trail. Along your walk, see sights such as Boston Common, the New State House, Park Street Church, Granary Burying Grounds, King’s Chapel, the site of the first public school, the Old Corner Bookstore, Old South Meeting House, the Old State House, the Boston Massacre Site, and Faneuil Hall. Step inside the Home of Paul Revere, the oldest building preserved in downtown Boston, and imagine life in 1775 when Paul Revere left this home for his legendary midnight ride. Your guide will give you fascinating information about the story of America’s founding and the birth of our country’s freedom.

Following the tour, return to Faneuil Hall to enjoy lunch at the food court. This landmark served as a meeting place throughout the Revolutionary War. Today it serves as the gateway to Quincy Market, which plays host to a myriad of small shops and eateries as well as outdoor entertainment provided by the street musicians and performers. Enjoy the spirited atmosphere, window shop in the boutiques, and marvel at magicians and jugglers. Perhaps you’ll try some famous New England clam chowder, lobster roll, or apple pie!

Transfer to your hotel to check in and refresh before evening activities.  You might enjoy a high-energy outing  to the Blue Man Group! Equal parts performance art piece and electronic rock concert, this award-winning troupe will put on a wild show that your singers will recount for years to come.

Afterward, a special welcome dinner has been arranged for your ensemble at a local restaurant.

After a good night’s rest in your hotel, wake to breakfast in the dining room. This morning, your ensemble will participate in an exciting choral workshop at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Sing together and learn vocal techniques from a professional clinician at this renowned music conservatory!

Transfer to the Prudential Building, or as locals call it – The Pru – and have lunch in the Food Court. At the Prudential Center South Garden, perform for locals and visitors alike!

Next, take a guided tour of Symphony Hall and see behind-the-scenes of this premier venue, home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. When this majestic hall was built in 1900, it was the first auditorium designed with scientifically derived acoustical principles in mind. From the slope of the stage to the shallow depth of the balconies, every architectural aspect was considered and because of these details, Boston’s Symphony Hall is considered one of the best in the world!

Enjoy dinner as a group at the Hard Rock Cafe before going to see a fantastic live music performance at Symphony Hall, or similar. Boston has no shortage of talented musicians or wonderful venues!

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before transferring to the New England Aquarium. Spend the morning exploring a wide variety of aquatic life including sharks, lionfish, sea turtles, and the giant Pacific octopus. Be sure to check out one of the daily presentations, such as penguin feedings and harbor seal training sessions. Also, perform a concert for fellow Aquarium visitors, and a resident penguin or two!

Walk together to nearby Faneuil Hall to pick out lunch from one of the many vendors. Now is your chance to try the other item you were eyeing at lunch on day one, or repeat your new favorite chowda’ house like a local!

Faneuil Hall has been a marketplace and meeting hall in Boston’s urban heart since 1742 and was the site of several encouraging speeches on behalf of American independence by Samuel Adams, James Otis, and others. Follow in the footsteps of many historic voices and perform a concert outside the bustling Faneuil Hall Marketplace.

This afternoon, peruse the impressive galleries at the Museum of Fine Arts, regarded as one of the most impressive art collections in the country.

Dinner is arranged for your ensemble at a local restaurant before setting sail on an evening Tea Party cruise of Boston Harbor! Listen to the historic narrative as you take in the glimmering city skyline from the water.

Today after breakfast, explore greater Boston. We might discover the DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln with giant, often interactive sculptures set among towering mature trees and rocky granite outcrops comprising New England’s largest art park.

Or, hit Singing Beach! Yes – this really is the name! And you can swim, picnic and sing here!

Another suggestion for today is to visit Salem, best known for the witch trials of 1692 where hysteria led to more than 200 people being accused of practicing witchcraft and innocent people being executed. The tragedy has made Salem synonymous with witches and the city has embraced its history and commitment to educating visitors. There is a collection of indoor and outdoor activities in Salem and shopping galore! Lunch in Salem will be from the cauldron – watch out!

An opportunity to perform will be arranged over the course of the day and this could be a good day for a friendship concert shared with a choir from Boston*.

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Gloucester – a town steeped in rich fishing and seafaring history, and appropriately situated on Massachusett’s North Shore. Attend a local church service this morning to sing for the service and give a short concert following for the appreciative congregation. Take time to mix and mingle with the church patrons.

Lunch today will be a picnic at the historic Stage Fort Park overlooking the water. This park holds an important place in Gloucester’s history, as fishing stages were set up here by the first settlers in 1623. The Park is officially designated an Essex National Heritage Area Visitor Center and a wealth of historic information is available onsite. In addition, there are two beautiful beaches and rec fields!

This afternoon, find your sea legs and embark on an exciting whale-watching trip with the help of an expert. Cruise the rich waters of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary area and keep your eyes peeled for a sighting of a Humpback Whale. These popular whales range from 35 up to 60 feet in length and are the most common whales seen off the coast here. Or maybe you’ll spot another common whale, the Finback or “Fin Whale”. These mammoths are larger than any dinosaur ever known to have roamed the earth, however, their size does not slow them down – they can swim 30 miles an hour which makes them challenging to get a good look at.

Return to land and head back to Boston for a festive farewell dinner with your friends!