27th Annual Classical Music River Journeys

Active Adventure

Dvorak's Classical Music River Journeys "25th Annual"Green River - Desolation & Gray Canyons 8 Days Class II-III+Dolores River - Ponderosa & Slickrock Canyons 7 Days Class II-IV This annual whitewater wilderness rafting trip is �River Rafting in Classic Style.� The Journey is enhanced by the fact that we add extra days to the trip�s normal length to explore more of the ancient surroundings. We�ll relax in the sun while chamber music performances by a string quartet from the Los Angeles Philharmonic fill the canyon. These individuals will play the viola, violin, cello and flute to provide music that will touch the mind and soul. Often surpassing the concert hall setting, the alpine forests and ancient sandstone caverns along these spectacular rivers redefine the musical experience of the works of Mozart, Bach, Handel, Beethoven, Quantz, Kodaly, Ravel, Hindmith and Dvorak. Also included on the trip are impromptu reading sessions, open rehearsals and improvised solos on wood flute. We usually have special guests with hidden talents who add to the ultimate pleasure of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Typical Day

Each day as the sun rises, birds and nature initiates a morning chorus: the rippling sounds of a river flowing downstream, a drum roll of rapids churning over rocks, birds chiming. Nature's wake-up call. No alarms, no phones, no cars. It's why the wilderness continues to lure the city folk who need to escape modern day trappings and cleanse the soul. The yearning and often need to get back to nature and get in harmony with one's inner soul is much of the appeal of river rafting trips. The raft, an oar, a tent and great food plus miles of river and scenic beauty and the natural song of nature singing to you. While traditional raft trips have relied on the laws of nature to stage blending the "call of the Wild" with some classical refinements. The sounds become richer and more complex, a symphony of nature and mankind, blending in perfect harmony. A contrast of cultures? Not for the river and classical music enthusiasts participating on Bill Dvorak's Kayak and Rafting Expedition's Classical Music River Journey. Each morning, as heads pop out from tents pitched alongside a river bank, the smell of coffee brewing in the air seems to be the perfect blend with a splash of Mozart, Beethoven or Ravel, as members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic warm-up for the day's musical river journey. Merging the arts with adventure, river enthusiasts with an "ear," now have a unique option that combines the best of river rafting with some of the West's most talented musicians. This annual trip is �River Rafting in Classic Style.� The Journey is enhanced by the fact that we add extra days to the trip�s normal length to explore more of the ancient surroundings. We�ll relax in the sun while chamber music performances by a Sante Fe Symphony flutist and a string quartet from the Los Angeles Philharmonic fill the canyon. These individuals will play the viola, violin, cello and flute to provide music that will touch the mind and soul. Often surpassing the concert hall setting, the alpine forests and ancient sandstone caverns along these spectacular rivers redefine the musical experience of the works of Mozart, Bach, Handel, Beethoven, Quantz, Kodaly, Ravel, Hindmith and Dvorak. A fifth generation cousin of the famous composer, Anton Dvorak, Bill Dvorak has been running rivers commercially longer than anyone else in Colorado has. With a personal penchant for classical music and an acoustically superior natural setting to perform in the "Classical Music River Journey" idea emerged following a rafting trip on which a member of the LA Philharmonic participated. One year later, four members agreed to sign on and the first journey embarked. Guests join four to five members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic on a seven to eight day journey of Bach, Beethoven, Ravel and the company's namesake, Dvorak. Four or more concerts are scheduled throughout the week-long tour, including a formal concert near the conclusion of the tour. The concert halls are the acoustically rich stages of the slickrock canyons and caverns located along each river, or an open-air stage nestled among Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir. The trips are leisurely, allowing ample time to soak up the sun, read, float along the river and listen to daily practice sessions. In addition to the rafting and music, each trip includes side excursions to Anasazi ruins, wildlife viewing, hiking and impromptu land and river musical performances. In keeping with the mood and sounds of each day's magical journey, mixed with a little "river magic," the dining experience further enhances the trips' ability to satiate the soul. Come evening, a tray of hors d'oeuvres and wine begin the evening's gastronomic feast, followed by a dinner of Blackened Salmon, special salads and Black Forest Cake for dessert - a mere sampling of the river delicacies prepared each day. "This trip is pampered, if not the most memorable sophisticated adventure you ever take," said Dvorak.DOLORES RIVER AND GREEN RIVER JOURNEYSTwo trips will be offered (4 or 7 day) Dolores or San Miguel Rivers in Southwest Colorado, known as the "Anasazi Jewel," June followed by the (8 day) Green River in Utah, July .Costs range from ($1,995 per person for the Dolores trip) to ($2010 for the Green trip includes airfare from Grand Junction, Colo. to the Green River). Price is inclusive of all meals, rafting equipment, guide, musical entertainment and activities throughout the trip.

Age range, type of group

Age mimimums vary from 5 years on certain rivers to 90's. No pets. Maximum space on the rivers vary from 10 to 25. Green river is 21 persons Dolores river is 17 persons.

Sleeping and meals

1/2 TO 1 DAY TRIPS $41 YOUTH 48 ADULT2 - 8 DAY TRIPS WILL VARY BUT AN AVERAGE COST PER DAY IS $110 - $250 PER DAY. GOVERNMENT USE TAX AND NATIONAL PARK FEES NOT INCLUDED. RENTALS FOR CAMPING EQUIPMENT AND OR KAYAKS, CANOES, ETC. IS AVAILABLE ON ALL TRIPS.

Restrictions

REAL TIME RESERVATIONS ONLINE: A FULL SCHEDULE OF ALL RATES AND DATES IS AVAILABLE AT OUR WEBSITE AND YOU CAN REQUEST A CATALOG OF ALL TRIPS BY EMAIL OR WITH A CALL.

Rates & Availability

CELEBRATING 39 YEARS OF RIVER MAGIC EST. 1969COLORADO'S FIRST LICENSED OUTFITTERWE OFFER UNIQUE FAMILY TRIPS AND GREAT DEALS WHERE KIDS GO FREE PACKAGES. INSTRUCTIONAL COURSES IN KAYAK, RAFT, GUIDE TRAINING AND SWIFTWATER RESCUE COURSES.CORPORATE INCENTIVE AND TEAM BUILDING TRIPS ARE AVAILABLE PROPOSALS.

Other Information

MULTI SPORT TRIPS: Colorado Best Whitewater! Rafting, Float Fly-Fishing, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, Four Wheel Drive tours, Bed & Breakfasts, Hot Springs, Hiking, 14,000 ft Peak climbing, Horseback riding, Custom Fishing (TROUT) expeditions. Parkdale River Center - Private Facility on the Arkansas River in Colorado for weddings, reunions, corporate packages, camping on river with rafting packages. hot showers and much more.....

Discounts Offered

Group discounts 6-9=%5, 10-19=10% 20-29=15% 30+ 20% and additional incentives for larger groups. Net rates for travel agency or tour operators. Call for custom expedition rates.