Over the past two weeks, you have been reading about the ringers’ and travellers’ escapades. We have had a fantastic adventure! Being immersed in a new culture, guided and being graciously welcomed in a new land helped to melt the miles and unite a community from all over the world.

During this tour we combined our music, skills, 22 ringers and two directors to become the New York Ringers. The smiles, applause, and joy on the faces of the audiences we performed for are truly a special privilege that envelops and lifts us up.  

At the Symposium we joined with 600+ ringers and 10 conductors to craft music, develop new techniques, and paint our musical pictures.  Learning about the different cultures through their music and sharing rehearsals and performances has been the summit of our work and the reason we travel all over the world. 

We hope that you have enjoyed each day that was chronicled on our blog. Our final evening culminated in an elegant gala affording one more opportunity to sample Scottish cuisine and even wear traditional Scottish tartans.  At the end of the evening we sang “Auld Lang Syne”, a famous poem by Scotsman Robert Burns. The poem, traditionally sung on New Year’s Eve, translates to “days gone by” and celebrates old friendships, shared memories, and the continuation of bonds through time. We will treasure our memories from this Symposium and hope that you have enjoyed travelling along with us through our blog posts.

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

and never brought to mind?

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

and auld lang syne?

Chorus:

For auld lang syne, my dear,

for auld lang syne,

we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,

for auld lang syne.

And surely you’ll buy your pint cup!

and surely I’ll buy mine!

And we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,

for auld lang syne.