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George Gershwin & Irving Berlin, The History of The Star Spangled Banner, American Musical Theater

Program Number: 7673RJ
Start and End Dates:
5/19/2013 - 5/23/2013;
Duration: 4 nights
Location: Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Price starting at: $697.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Multi-Topic; Music Appreciation; History & Culture
Meals: 12; 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Coordinated by Covenant Harbor.



George Gershwin & Irving Berlin

Through recordings, video, and live performances, compare and contrast the lives and music of the creators of such American classics as "Porgy and Bess" and "White Christmas." Discover why their music has continued to have such appeal.



The History of The Star Spangled Banner

Explore the history of the United States of America’s national anthem. Francis Scott Key’s poem about the bombardment of Fort McHenry was set to music using a British drinking song. Do you remember all four stanzas? Can you hit all the notes?



American Musical Theater

Enter the world of musical theatre when the director of a well-known regional theatre takes you through the production process. Explore casting, costume/set design, and script interpretation. Enjoy a field trip to theatre to see a current production.




Lake Geneva

One hour southwest of Milwaukee, Lake Geneva is a resort city whose popularity arose from its accessibility from Chicago via the railroad. With its many large summer homes, the city has been called "The Newport of the West," and it remains a year round destination for those seeking a quaint, lakeside getaway.
Accommodations
Conference and retreat center set on 52 wooded acres with 1,150 feet of shoreline. Meeting, dining and sleeping rooms all in one building with elevator service to all three floors. Spacious lounge with fireplace and TV for relaxing with new friends. No alcohol permitted on-site. All meals included, most buffet-style.
Meals and Lodgings
   Covenant Harbor
  Lake Geneva, WI 5 nights
 Covenant Harbor
Type: Conference Center
  Description: You'll be staying at the Geneva Bay Retreat Center at Covenant Harbor Bible Camp. Since 1947, this faith-based camp and retreat center has been committed to providing excellent facilities and programming to the youth, families and adults who come to this lakeside location. Situated one mile west of downtown Lake Geneva on 52 beautiful wooded acres, the camp and retreat center offer an ideal location to learn, relax and create lasting relationships. The historic property includes several buildings left from the Sturges Estate created around the time of the Great Chicago Fire when wealthy families built their summer "cottages" at the lake and stayed for the summer season. Today, the Lake Geneva area is still known as Chicago's Summer Backyard. Guests are encouraged to explore the grounds and walk along the public access lake shore path. The path goes all the way around the lake (23 miles total) but even walking a small portion you'll see historic and modern homes, all beautifully kept.
  Contact info: 1724 W Main Street
Lake Geneva, WI 53147 USA
phone: 262-248-3600
web: www.covenantharbor.org
  Room amenities: Each guest room contains a radio/alarm clock, hair dryer, telephone with voice mail, soap, shampoo and lotion. This retreat center does not have televisions in their guest rooms; as a retreat center they do not want any distractions to get in the way of you getting the most from your program experience.
  Facility amenities: Geneva Bay Retreat Center is a self-contained facility with 32 guest rooms, meeting space and dining room all in one building. An elevator provides access to all three levels (meeting and dining room in the ground floor level with two floors of sleeping rooms above). Free internet (wi-fi) service throughout the building. Due to the topography of the area, mobile phone signals may not always be reliable. Relax with new friends in two lounges, one with a television with basic news channels. No alcohol permitted on site.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: $80.00 Call 262-248-3600, ext. 333 for additional nights availability.
  Check in time: 4:00 PM
  Additional nights after: $80.00 Call 262-248-3600, ext. 333 for additional nights availability.
  Check out time: 10:30 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Check-in begins at 4:00 pm at Geneva Bay Retreat Center lobby. You will be staying at Covenant Harbor that night.
  End of Program:
Final lunch at 11:30 am. Check-out of rooms by 10:30 am. Departures by 1:00 pm. You will be staying at Covenant Harbor the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Covenant Harbor waiver.
  Parking availability:
Free surface parking on site for duration of program.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Lake Geneva, WI
  Nearest highway: Highway 50.
  Nearest airport:  Gen. Mitchell International Airport (MKE), Milwaukee, WI.
  From End of Program
  Location: Lake Geneva, WI
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Gen. Mitchell Int'l Airport (MKE), Milwaukee, WI to Lake Geneva

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Covenant Harbor Van Shuttle
phone: 262-248-3600 x309
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$75 per person, $100 for two people traveling together
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

1 hour 15 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

55 miles
   

Van Shuttle provided by Covenant Harbor from/to the Milwaukee airport on the program start and end dates only. Contact Ms. Brooke Furmanek, the program coordinator, to make your reservation at 262-248-3600 x309. One-way cost $75 per person or $100 for two people traveling together.
 
Driving Directions
  From Chicago to Lake Geneva Take the I-294 N towards Milwaukee (there will be tolls). Take I-94 W (You are actually going north) to Milwaukee (There will be tolls). Take the Hwy 50 W exit to Kenosha/Lake Geneva. Follow Hwy 50 W approximately 28 miles to Lake Geneva. Stay on Hwy 50 W one mile and turn left into the Covenant Harbor Bible Camp entrance. The entrance is just before Highway 50 widens from two lanes to a four lane highway.
  From Madison to Lake Geneva Take I-90 south to I-43 north. Follow I-43 north to Hwy 50 east (Lake Geneva). Follow Hwy 50 for about 10 miles. As you enter Lake Geneva you are coming down a big hill and the highway will narrow from four lanes to two lanes, at this point the Covenant Harbor/Geneva Bay Centre entrance is on the right. Continue down the drive and bear to the right at the fork, up the hill to Geneva Bay Centre (three story red brick building). Passenger drop off to the left, parking to the right. Travel time approx. 1 hour 30 minutes.
  From Milwaukee to Lake Geneva Take I-43 south to Exit 36, Hwy 120 East Troy/Lake Geneva. Take Hwy 120 south 13 miles to Lake Geneva (three stop signs). Continue straight into Lake Geneva, do not follow Hwy 120 around the city, instead continue straight onto Broad Street to the second stop light (intersection of Broad St and Hwy 50, the lake will be directly in front of you). Turn right on Hwy 50 and proceed west one mile (the lake is on your left) to the Covenant Harbor Bible Camp/Geneva Bay Centre entrance on your left (lakeside). Look for the red "Welcome Road Scholar" sign. The entrance is just before Hwy 50 widens from two lanes to a four lane highway. If you see Snake Road you've gone too far. Continue down the driveway and bear to the right at Heinzelman Way, continue up the road and park in front of the thee-story brick building (Geneva Bay Centre).
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Arrival, Check-In, Orientation
(Sunday, May 19)
   
 Arrive To: Get to Lake Geneva on your own -- OR -- take the Covenant Harbor Van Shuttle from the Milwaukee airport.
 Afternoon: Plan to arrive in Lake Geneva in the afternnon. Check-in at Geneva Bay Centre at Covenant Harbor Bible Camp at 4:00 pm. If you do arrive early you are welcome to bring in your luggage and wait in the lounge or take a walk down by the lake until your room is ready. Room key, name tag and program booklet distributed at check-in.
 Dinner: Buffet at 6:00 pm in the lower level dining room. Most meals are buffet style. Meal times are a great opportunity to meet your fellow participants and talk about past programs you have attended.
 Evening: After dinner, gather in the Green Gables meeting room to kick off the program with ORIENTATION. Your Group Leader will give an overview of the program, provide additional information about your accommodations and answer any questions. Then you'll have a chance to introduce yourself to the group and tell a little about your hometown and hobbies.
   
Accommodations: Covenant Harbor
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: The Life and Music of the Gershwins, The History of the Star Spangled Banner, Evening Entertainment
(Monday, May 20)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet at 8:00 am in the lower level dining room.
 Morning: Gather in the lower level meeting room at 9:00 am for a ninety-minute lecture on THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF THE GERSHWINS. Take a break at 10:30 am. Come back to the meeting room at 11:00 am for a ninety-minute lecture on THE THEATER PRODUCTION PROCESS. What's the difference between a producer and a director? How are shows chosen for a theater's season?
 Lunch: Buffet at 12:30 pm in the lower level dining room.
 Afternoon: Enjoy some FREE TIME this afternoon to explore the area, relax on the porch with a book or walk along the shore. Gather in the lower level meeting room at 4:30 pm for a ninety-minute lecture on THE HISTORY OF THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER.
 Dinner: Buffet at 6:00 pm in the lower level dining room.
 Evening: Gather in the lower level meeting room at 7:15 pm for some light entertainment.
   
Accommodations: Covenant Harbor
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: The Life and Music of the Gershwins, The History of the Star Spangled Banner, Musical Theater, Evening Entertainment
(Tuesday, May 21)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet at 8:00 am in the lower level dining room.
 Morning: Gather in the lower level meeting room at 9:00 am for a ninety-minute lecture on THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF THE GERSHWINS. Take a break at 10:30 am. Come back to the meeting room at 11:00 am for a ninety-minute lecture on THE HISTORY OF THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER.
 Lunch: Buffet at 12:30 pm in the lower level dining room.
 Afternoon: Gather in the lower level meeting room at 2:00 pm for a ninety-minute lecture on THE HISTORY OF THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER.
 Dinner: Buffet at 6:00 pm in the lower level dining room.
 Evening: Gather in the lower level meeting room at 7:15 pm for some light entertainment.
   
Accommodations: Covenant Harbor
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Field Trip to Milwaukee for Lunch and a Matinee Show
(Wednesday, May 22)

Note: Elevator available at theater complex.
   
 Breakfast: Buffet at 8:00 am in the lower level dining room.
 Morning: Gather in the lower level meeting room at 9:00 am for a ninety-minute lecture on THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF THE GERSHWINS. Board our motor coach at 10:45 am for a FIELD TRIP to Milwuakee and the Skylight Music Theater located in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward.
 Lunch: Plated lunch at 12:00 pm at the theater complex. Your lunch includes a cup of soup, salad and sandwich with a beverage and dessert.
 Afternoon: Pre-show lecture 1:00-2:00 pm. Learn more about George and Ira Gershwin and the creation of the musical "Porgy & Bess." The matinee performance of "PORGY & BESS" begins at 2:00 pm. The group leader will distribute tickets during lunch. Re-board our motor coach after the performance to return to Lake Geneva.
 Dinner: Buffet at 6:00 pm in the lower level dining room.
 Evening: Gather in the lower level meeting room at 7:00 pm for some light entertainment. Come watch a classic Broadway musical.
   
Accommodations: Covenant Harbor
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Irving Berlin, Program Wrap Up
(Thursday, May 23)
   
 Depart From: For those who are taking the Covenant Harbor Van Shuttle the shuttle will depart at 1:00 pm for the Milwaukee airport.
 Breakfast: Buffet at 8:00 in the lower level dining room.
 Morning: Gather in the lower level meeting room at 9:00 am for a sixty-minute lecture on THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF IRVING BERLIN. Take a break at 10:00 am. Check-out of rooms. Come back to the meeting room at 10:30 am for a sixty-minute lecture on THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF IRVING BERLIN.
 Lunch: Buffet at 11:30 am in the lower level dining room. Program ends after lunch.
   
Accommodations: Covenant Harbor
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Lake Geneva, WI Lake Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce
Your guide to Lake Geneva. For additional information, visit www.lakegenevawi.com
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


The Gershwins and Me: A Personal History in Twelve Songs


Author: Michael Feinstein


Description: The Ambassador of the Great American Songbook Michael Feinstein was just twenty years old when he got the chance of a lifetime: a job with his hero, Ira Gershwin. During their six-year partnership, the two became close friends. Feinstein blossomed under Gershwins mentorship and Gershwin was reinvigorated by the younger mans zeal for his and his brother Georges legacy. Now, in The Gershwins and Me, the only book of its kind, Michael Feinstein shares unforgettable stories and reminiscences from the music that defined American popular song, along with rare Gershwin memorabilia hes collected through the years. From Strike Up the Band to Love Is Here to Stay, each of the twelve chapters highlights one of the Gershwins classic songs, exploring the brothers lives, illuminating what the music meant to them, and telling the stories of how their iconic tunes came to life. Throughout the star-studded narrative, Feinstein unfolds the moving chronicle of his own life with the Gershwins, describing his vision for their enduring presence today. No other writer could give us such an authoritative inside perspective on these titans of American cultureand no other writer could include such a soulful collection of music as the accompanying CD packed with Feinsteins original recordings of the twelve songs.



Irving Berlin's American Musical Theater


Author: Jeffrey Magee


Description: From patriotic "God Bless America" to wistful "White Christmas," Irving Berlin's songs have long accompanied Americans as they fall in love, go to war, and come home for the holidays. Irving Berlin's American Musical Theater is the first book to fully consider this songwriter's immeasurable influence on the American stage. Award-winning music historian Jeffrey Magee chronicles Berlin's legendary theatrical career, providing a rich background to some of the great composer's most enduring songs, from "There's No Business Like Show Business" to "Puttin' on the Ritz." Magee shows how Berlin's early experience singing for pennies made an impression on the young man, who kept hold of that sensibility throughout his career and transformed it into one of the defining attributes of Broadway shows. Magee also looks at darker aspects of Berlin's life, examining the anti-Semitism that Berlin faced and his struggle with depression. Informative, provocative, and full of colorful details, this book will delight song and theater aficionados alike as well as anyone interested in the story of a man whose life and work expressed so well the American dream.





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