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The first international experience for the Gure Etxea choir was a success professionally as well as personally.  In regards to the concerts, the choir, directed by Martin Tumbarino performed in front of massive crowds and enjoyed using cutting edge technology.  Personally, the choir members enjoyed the trip abroad and being able to strengthen ties with their colleagues in Brazil. 

Tandil, Argentina.   An expedition formed by the Gure Abestiak choir and the group Surcanto, both from Tandil, visited various localities in the state of Santa Catalina in Brazil from July 19-26 and performed a series of concerts.  The Argentine delegation was hosted by the Villa Catolica Divino Leiro, located between Florianópolis and Camboriú, from where the Montiel family managed the invitation and their trip. 

That is how choir director, Martin Tumbarino, explained it, “From our first performance, that took place at the local fairgrounds, we experienced something unique:  it was amplified and we had technology provided to us that we have never had before.  In addition, we sang before more than 1,000 people.  The excellent experience repeated itself at the second concert, this time at the Sanctuary of Santa Paulina.  This also provided a unique experience and the concert was also recorded.  If that weren’t enough, the concert ended with a priest blessing our voices,” Tumbarino concluded. 

One of the group’s concerts had to be cancelled due to the weather, but the trip couldn’t have ended better for the group.  At the end of the last concert, after a farewell toast the Gure Etxea singers walked the beaches of Camboriu singing Boga Boga.

“This trip united two nations and united children, youth, adults and grandparents.  It allowed an amateur group to sing on stage as if they were professionals.  It also allowed for a lot of travel and many first time experiences abroad.  The group experience taught us to think outside of ourselves, and to keep our colleagues in mind.  All of this comprised an unforgettable experience and inspired us for new projects, in pursuit of the dissemination of Basque music and specifically choral music,” Tumbarino concluded.