2024 Tour Day 8: Barcelona
Rise and shine! Final concert today! We arose at around 7:30 for a delicious Spanish breakfast then departed the hotel for tours in the city. This weekend is one of the most important of Barcelona as the city celebrates the summer solstice. The locals have many traditions to celebrate the festivities of San Juan like having bonfires, eating coca of San Juan (a dish like focaccia with pine nuts and mixed fruit), and partying all night!

Our first stop this morning was at the top of a mountain overlooking the entire city. The view was spectacular! We took some photos then boarded the bus to the Cathedral Square for some free time and lunch. After exploring the square, we were ordered by Maestro to rest back at the hotel before we departed for our last concert of the trip and many of our last GTCYS concert ever.

Our final concert is at the breathtaking Palau de la Música Catalana (visit their Instagram page here or follow @palaumusicacat). Designed by architect, Lluís Domenech i Montaner, the Palau is one of the most representative buildings of the Catalan modernism. After its inauguration in 1908, this auditorium has hosted countless famous artists, musicians, and composers such as Ravel, Stravinsky, and Wagner.

Tonight’s concert is for the benefit of the Assocuacio contra el cancer a Barcelona in support of ongoing research towards finding a cure. We had a dress rehearsal and dinner then prepared for the performance. The last concert was a success and the ending was a bittersweet moment for all the seniors. Tears were shed but this was the best way to end our concerts with GTCYS.
-Alicia, clarinet
