The halls of the UCA may be quiet for the summer, but CSU’s Chamber Choir will be making plenty of music this summer on an 11-day European tour to Bratislava, Salzburg, Vienna, Eisenstadt, and Prague. The ensemble’s excellent reputation has earned it an invitation to participate in the 2015 International Youth Music Festival in Bratislava, Slovakia. This invitation also brings with it opportunities to sing in historic concert halls, cathedrals, and outdoor venues across Europe.
The festival, taking place from July 9-12 this summer, provides international performance opportunities for children, youth, and adult choirs and orchestras. CSU’s Chamber Choir has been invited to perform at the festival as a featured ensemble.
Beginning their tour on July 2, the choir will first perform a recital in the Salzburg Dom, then travel to Prague, where they will perform at the Lobkowicz Palace. As they make their way across the former Austro-Hungarian empire territory, they will perform at the Karlskirche in Vienna as part of the American Celebration of Music in Austria, before traveling to Eisenstadt, where they will perform a recital in the Haydnsaal at the Schloss Esterházy. By July 9, the choir will arrive in Bratislava for the International Youth Music Festival.
“They are the crown jewels of their department, ambassadors for CSU and Colorado,” said community member Jane Basille in a letter to the Coloradoan in support of the choir’s tour.
Widely recognized as a city of music, in addition to its fame as a city of rich cultural and artistic heritage, Bratislava’s musical heritage flourished in the 18th century and established the first public music school in the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. The city has played host to Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Liszt, and others. Many say that almost every important European musician or composer touched musical life in Bratislava in some way.
“I can put this experience toward the rest of my life,” said junior voice major Vanessa Doss. “The ability to perform in the places where this music was born lets me experience my music the way that these composers did.”
While the students cover the majority of their travel expenses, the Chamber Choir executed a successful fundraising campaign earlier this year that will help them make their way through this European tour. The music and the experience make it all worth it, they say.
“My passion is to share what I’m learning and singing with other people, and to experience another culture while sharing music from around the world,” said junior voice major Justin Little. “It’s a cool opportunity – one you may not get many chances to take.”
About the Chamber Choir
Under the direction of Dr. James Kim, this top-select ensemble of 24–32 singers performs a wide variety of a cappella and accompanied repertoire. Objectives include ensemble precision with sensitivity to blending and intonation, demonstrating both healthy vocal production and sophisticated musical knowledge.
The Chamber Choir has been featured at many honor festivals, conventions, and workshops, including the International Sacred Choral Music Festival and Changwon Grand-Prix Choral Festival & Competition in Korea, appearances at National Collegiate Choral Organization conferences in 2006, 2009, and 2011 for a feature performance conducted by Bach specialist Helmuth Rilling. In 2010, they were featured at the ACDA Regional Conference in Denver, Colorado.
Follow the tour on Instagram at ColoradoStateUniversity_UCA!
