To ur N o t e s PERFORMING ARTS NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD 1997-1998

Highlights Trinity Church Traces its Roots Duquesne Wins at Marktoberdorf Alaska Children in Europe Rutgers Women Explore Ireland California Youth Orchestra in Britain and Ireland Spreading Goodwill in the Baltic Republics Missa Gaia on the Riviera Honor Band at WASBE Portland Girlchoir in Australia Festival Sir Simon Rattle conducts The Damanation of Faust in Birmingham Opportunities in the Pacific Northwest ‘VOICES IN For nine days in July, Morrell in the Sheldonian Theatre, Ox- THE CITY’ A the City of Birming- ford. To celebrate the 100th birthday of Alabama Choir Does Europe! ham (England) rang the recording company EMI, the Cleve- HUGE to the sounds of land Orchestra Chorus then joined forces Amherst in Spain and Portugal SUCCESS superlative choral with the City of Birmingham Symphony singing. More than Orchestra and Chorus to give a stunning 2,000 singers from Great Britain, the USA performance of Walton’s Belshazzar’s and Canada took part in over 20 choral Feast, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle in concerts, workshops and master classes, Symphony Hall, Birmingham. They then thrilling the large audiences which filled recorded the work for release by EMI later Symphony Hall and other venues. this year. It was the first major choral festival The final concert of ‘Voices in the in Birmingham since the great triennial City’ proved to be another blockbuster, festivals of the 19th century, which saw with over 300 singers sharing the plat- the first performances of Mendelssohn’s form with a much enlarged CBSO to Elijah and Elgar’s The Dream of perform Berlioz’s dramatic oratorio, The Gerontius, among others. ACFEA Tour Damnation of Faust. Two choruses from Consultants, in a unique collaboration North America, the William Hall Master with the City of Birmingham Symphony Chorale and the Vancouver Bach Choir, Orchestra, Sir Simon Rattle and ‘Voices in directed by William Hall and Bruce Pullan, Locations: the City’ Artistic Director Simon Halsey, were invited to join forces with the City of London had been given the task of providing Birmingham Symphony Chorus and New York choruses for three major projects. Youth Chorus and the City of Birming- San Francisco The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus, ham Choir for a thrilling performance, Seattle directed by Gareth Morrell, was the first again conducted by Sir Simon Rattle. Canberra to arrive. They had already given two Sandwiched between these two Berlin critically acclaimed performances of events in Symphony Hall, ACFEA orga- Paris Brahms’ Requiem, one with the BBC nized a third combined choral concert in Venice National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales Lichfield Cathedral as the final concert of Prague conducted by Richard Hickox in St David’s the Lichfield Festival. Singers from the Moscow Hall, Cardiff, and the other with the St Petersburg Academy of Oxford conducted by Gareth Continued on page 2

1 DUQUESNE The choir treated audience members to TWICE Paul Elliott Cobbs, a promi- Duquesne Mozart’s Coronation Mass, Stravinsky’s nent orchestral conductor SINGERS WIN AT University Symphony of Psalms and a selection from IN TWO from the Pacific North- MARKTOBERDORF Chamber their own a cappella program. The next YEARS?! west, completed a tour of Singers, day several chorus members attended an Austria and Italy in April directed by Brady Allred, undertook their open-air mass with His Holiness the Pope. with his chamber orchestra from the third and most extensive concert tour Following an overnight train ride, Northwest School, Seattle. from May 12 to June 12, 1997. This tour the ensemble arrived in Tallinn, Estonia, On arrival in Europe, the students was destined to be different from the ready to sing again. Their concert in the were met with snow in Salzburg, which moment they invited a local percussion Black Head Hall had the best acoustics yet provided an atmospheric backdrop to group, Tempus Fugit, to join them. Four and they recorded it for their next CD. their concert — and a shivering but spir- players and a wide array of instruments From Tallinn they continued to St Peters- ited audience! Their tour quickly warmed augmented the Chamber Singers’ reper- burg, where they stayed again with local up as the group went into Italy,where toire, an attractive proposition to concert families and performed a joint concert they gave concerts to thrilled audiences in presenters abroad. with a local choir in the famous Glinka Venice, Vicenza, Florence and The choir began and ended their Cappella. Capodimonte, some in venues where tour with invitations received during The final leg of the tour again in- famous composers had once flourished. previous volved an “The students were able to visual- tours in invitation to ize concretely the music they had been Germany perform with studying,” says Dr Cobbs. “The Roman and Russia. a local or- ruins, the palaces, the churches (even one The first chestra and where Vivaldi performed), Mozart’s birth- stop was in chorus, this place, the whole atmosphere,” he says, Bad Tölz, time in Mos- “these all made the music real for them, where the cow, where something tangible, beyond the black- students they were and-white page”. He is convinced that as stayed with met by local a result of this tour, “they developed a local choir organizers whole new perspective”. members and whisked This was Dr Cobbs’ second trip in and per- away for two years with ACFEA. The first was with formed rehearsals the Everett Symphony, a professional their open- and sightsee- orchestra which completed a very suc- ing concert. Duquesne choir in the Moscow conservatory ing. The cessful tour of Vienna and its environs in In the group’s final 1996. This orchestra is already planning next phase of the tour, the ensemble concerts in the Moscow Conservatory its 1999 tour to Italy with ACFEA, includ- participated in the Marktoberdorf Cham- and the Palace of Culture were tour high- ing performances in Venice, Florence and ber Choir Competition. Again, the stu- lights, as was the chance to get together Rome. dents were assigned homestays in the for one final group photograph in Red town and surrounding villages. This was Square. the choir’s second chance to compete Upon his return home, Dr Allred here, and their perseverance was re- said “Our best tour yet! Thanks for a warded by winning first prize overall. In superb job.” continued from ‘VOICES IN THE CITY’ addition, Dr Allred was awarded the conducting prize. The tour was going Hartford Chorale, the San Francisco Cho- well! ral Society and the University of Califor- Next was the Czech Republic, nia, Berkeley, Alumni Chorus joined with where they performed in the Jindrichuv “I think you have begun a good trend with North American choirs in the BBC National Chorus of Wales for a Hradec and Telc castles and took a sight- performance of Brahms’ Requiem, with seeing excursion to Prague. From there it South Africa. For my own part, it was my best tour, from all vantage the English Symphony Orchestra con- was off to Jaromerice where they at- ducted by Simon Halsey. The Hartford tended the opening of the Festival of points.” Bruce More, Conductor Chorale, directed by Henley Denmead, Baroque Opera and participated in a also gave a recital in Birmingham Cathe- mass at the Basilica of St Margaret. Later, University of Victoria Chamber Singers dral, and the University of California in that same Basilica, they performed as Alumni Chorus, directed by William part of the Mica Summer Festival, travel- Ganz, took part in a master class with The ing next to Olomouc to sing to an audi- King’s Singers, who themselves gave a ence of 1,200 in the Church of Our Lady concert in Symphony Hall. of Snows for the Olomouc Spring Festival. Following its great success this year, One of the focal points around ‘Voices in the City’ will happen again in “This was the BEST tour we which the itinerary had been planned 1998, and plans are already under way have had with ACFEA thus far! Thank was the 46th International Eucharistic for two performances of Verdi’s Requiem you for arranging such prestigious Congress in Wroclaw. The choir had sung to be conducted by Richard Hickox in venues for us.” here in 1993 and was invited back to Symphony Hall and at the Llangollen Nancy Gage, Chorus Manager perform a concert with the Wroclaw International Musical Eisteddfod. Philharmonic Orchestra as part of the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus congress. With Dr Allred conducting, the

2 CHILDREN The Alaska The great highlight of the trip was complete with laser effects, lit the WEAVE A Children’s Choir in Germany’s Erfurt and Eisenach, two Domplatz while the choir sang Alaskan from Anchorage important towns in the history of JS Bach. native chant and other American folk MUSICAL WEB decided to send This July, Erfurt hosted an international music. The whole event received major IN EUROPE back a digital festival for the 500th anniversary of its coverage from the media, including radio postcard from town bell, ‘The Gloriosa’, the largest free- and television. their tour of Central Europe. One of the swinging bell in the world. The Alaska On the tour’s last day, the choir tour leaders took photographs with a Children’s Choir performed as an hon- visited Eisenach, birthplace of JS Bach and digital camera, enabling the images to be home to the Bachmuseum, downloaded to their web site in Alaska. where the choir enjoyed a pri- The tour had much to record. In vate tour. The museum curator Vienna, the choir sang by a subterranean demonstrated Bach’s music on lake, in acoustics more live than in many keyboard instruments used by churches. A stop at the Prater amusement Bach himself. park followed, where the children de- Overlooking Wartburg lighted in being “flung upside-down in Castle, where Luther translated the roller coasters”. the Latin Bible into German, the The choir then drove west to the choir held its final banquet. Salzburg region, where they toured The Despite the many tears, realizing Sound of Music film locations and gave a the tour was nearly over, the short impromptu concert on the steps choir’s accompanist kept the where the Do-re-mi scene was filmed. choir in good spirits by playing After a formal concert in a nearby village, the trash bins (in the absence of the choir departed for Pertisau, a rural conga drums) while the choir village where some members of the choir sang its Kenya Melodies set: a spent an entire day walking in the moun- ‘The hills are alive…’ joyful end to a memorable tour. tains and others swam in the Achensee: ored guest choir in the International Photographs, along with a journal “It was freezing cold (until you went Glockentage, singing for an audience of of entries from the tour, may be found on numb),” said one chorister, “but still nearly 10,000 people in the Domplatz. the Alaska Children’s Choir web site at warmer than Alaska!” An impressive sound and light show, .

IRISH Enthusiastic audi- was the best of the many tours that I along the Pembrokeshire coast, and per- ences and warm have done. The organization was excel- formed a well-attended concert at the HOSPITALITY receptions greeted lent. Most importantly, we had enthusias- local school. IS NO the Voorhees Choir tic and very hospitable audiences. Thanks, FYSO then traveled by ferry to BLARNEY of Rutgers University ACFEA!“ Ireland, where they were greeted by the on its concert tour of West Dublin Youth, Junior and Senior Ireland. Under the direction of Frances Orchestras, who hosted a joint dinner Fowler Slade, this award-winning and a concert at Celbridge Abbey. An- FRESNO As the Fresno (CA) other ferry took the orchestra to Scot- Youth Symphony land, where they spent several days in ORCHESTRA Orchestra (Eric Gratz, and around Glasgow and Edinburgh. EXPLORES Musical Director) While staying with host families in BRITAIN & embarked on their Dalgety Bay, the orchestra rose to the concert tour of Great occasion of a big performance day, start- IRELAND Britain and Ireland ing with an afternoon concert in the this summer, they splendid Chapel Royal at Stirling Castle looked forward to an exciting array of and finishing in the evening with a joint musical, cultural and educational experi- concert with the Woodmill High School ences which had formed the basis of their Wind Band and Brass Ensemble to a sell- tour plans from the outset. Joint concerts out crowd at St Ninian’s Church. The tour with good audiences and warm recep- culminated in a concert in Harrogate and tions, beautiful venues, homestays, a sightseeing excursions to York, Stratford- women’s choir delighted audiences in range of sightseeing, a concert by the upon-Avon and Oxford. Dublin, Cork, Killarney and Limerick with London Symphony Orchestra, and a stunning performances in a wide array of farewell medieval banquet did not disap- concert venues including two churches, point. the manor home of Collis Sandes and the With London as the starting point, Cahir Castle Banquet Hall. In each case, FYSO kicked off the tour with a joint the Voorhees women were welcomed by performance with the Hackney Youth local host choirs, and enjoyed the unique Orchestra, then headed for Carmarthen, opportunity of performing joint concerts a small Welsh town where they stayed and mingling with their Irish counter- with families from the Carmarthen Youth parts. In the words of Mrs Slade, “This Orchestra, enjoyed a day of sightseeing

3 ACFEA RICHARD SAVAGE, ELFRIEDE LEIMER-RIZZOTTI is the sic-making, and is a keen American Managing Director of Regional Representative in Italy. Although square- and contradancer. OVERSEAS ACFEA Europe, has born in Austria, Friede has been ACFEA’s DON WHITBREAD, ACFEA’s Re- STAFF been with the organiza- consultant in Italy since 1983. Before gional Representative in Australia and tion since 1970. He joining ACFEA, she worked for the Aus- New Zealand, is based in Canberra. A graduated from Oxford University, where trian diplomatic service. former teacher and senior public servant he sang in Christ Church Cathedral Choir. SYLVIA MARIN, ACFEA’s Represen- with the Prime Minister’s department, He still maintains his professional singing tative in France, is based in Paris. She Don founded and directed the Woden career, being a permanent member of graduated from Georgia State University Valley Youth Choir for 28 years, touring the Monteverdi Choir since 1971 and of with a degree in business administration widely in Australia and overseas. He the Gabrieli and Taverner Consorts before moving to France. Since then, she received the medal of the Order of Aus- amongst many others. has been involved in organizing music tralia for service to music in 1980, and TONY HASTINGS is European tours and accompanying groups through- was Canberra’s Citizen of the Year in Projects Director. He is a graduate of out the Mediterranean area using her 1997. He has been associated with Sussex University and has worked in the linguistic skills. ACFEA since 1981. music publishing industry with Oxford SUE PETER, ACFEA’s Representative JENNY RUSSELL is Assistant Man- University Press. Tony has also run his in Germany, has a varied background in ager in Canberra. She plays flute and has own music store and booking agency. He travel administration and has worked for sung in various choirs in Canberra and currently sings with the Bath Camerata. the British Tourist Authority and the London; she toured the USA and Japan TRICIA GEORGE is Head of Opera- Welsh Tourist Board. Now living in Berlin, as a member of the Woden Valley Youth tions in London. Before joining ACFEA, she sings with the Wilmersdorf Ensemble Choir. She worked in ACFEA’s London Tricia worked for the British Government ‘Kissi Choir’. office prior to joining Don on her return Bureau dealing to Australia in 1992. with international exchanges. Edu- cated at Aberdeen “ACFEA knows what choirs University, she has need and what makes a successful traveled exten- tour. You attend to artistic, educa- sively in Europe tional and personal concerns. Really and North this tour was everything the students America. hoped it would be.” ELISABETH Catharine Melhorn, Director CAWOOD is an Mount Holyoke College Glee Operations Man- Club ager in London. She studied Italian and music at Lon- don University before working in ACFEA CHARLES HAWK is the travel business Palo Alto (CA) High School Madrigal Singers in Albi, France Managing Director of in Switzerland. NORTH ACFEA North More recently, she has worked in public SVETLANA PETROVSKAYA, AMERICAN America. Charles has relations and on the administration of the ACFEA’s Moscow Representative, gradu- STAFF been a travel consult- Consort of Musick and its associated ated in geography from the Moscow ant since graduating recording company. She is fluent in Ger- Pedagogical Institute. She studied piano from California State University in 1972 man and Italian and, as a singer and as a child, and is a keen music fan. Her and has been specializing in music tours violinist, has performed with choirs and interests include international relations, since 1980. He is a Certified Travel Coun- orchestras in Italy and Britain. travel and meeting people. selor and has traveled to all areas of the MATTHEW GROCUTT is an Opera- JOHN TREGELLAS is ACFEA’s Re- world both with groups and as an indi- tions Manager in London. A graduate of gional Representative in Central Europe. vidual. Leeds University, he has worked in the Based in Prague since 1990, he works KENNETH NOREEN is Artistic Direc- music touring industry for the past four regularly with major concert promoters in tor of ACFEA North America. He recently years. He maintains an active musical the Czech Republic. A modern languages retired after 30 years with the Shoreline interest as a freelance trumpet player. graduate from Oxford, he speaks fluent School District in Seattle, serving most of GENEVIEVE WEST is an Operations Czech, German, French and Hebrew. which as Band Director at Shorecrest Manager in London. She graduated from John currently sings with the Kühn Mixed High School. Ken is a Past President of Oxford University with a degree in mod- Choir and the Prague Philharmonic Choir. the Washington Music Educators Asso- ern languages and joined ACFEA after OLGA YEMELYANOVA, ACFEA’s ciation and traveled with his band to teaching English in Spain and working at Representative in Russia, is based in St Europe ten times since 1966. He holds a the Barcelona Olympics. Petersburg. She attended a specialist master’s degree in music education and REBECCA WHITE is Travel Manager in music school, has a diploma in English is currently Director of Bands at Shoreline the London office. She has a diploma in and German education and is presently Community College. Business and Finance with Travel and Tour- pursuing postgraduate studies in linguis- HUGH DAVIES is General Manager ism. Before joining ACFEA she worked on a tics. Before joining ACFEA, she taught of ACFEA North America, based in the schools travel program, coordinating and English at a high school and at Herzen San Francisco office. Born in England, he accompanying tours in Europe. University. She is actively involved in mu- has a master’s degree from Cambridge,

4 where he sang at King’s College under Sir David Willcocks. Hugh sang profes- SEATTLE NEW YORK sionally in Europe, including with the Charles Hawk Robyn Goldstein Monteverdi Choir, before teaching music Kenneth Noreen Suzanne Robbins in Australia. He now performs as a soloist Mark Powell (800) 886-6995 (914) 631-0660 David Wert Suite 5, 19 N. Broadway, and with several professional ensembles Tarrytown, NY 10591 in the Bay Area. (800) 886-3355 (425) 776-3273 ROBYN GOLDSTEIN is a Tour 120 Second Ave. S. Edmonds, WA 98020 Manager in the New York office. After graduating with a degree in psychology from Boston University, she lived in Lon- don and traveled extensively in Europe and Asia. A woodwind and keyboard player, her first touring experience was as solo clarinetist with her high school or- chestra in Spain; more recently, she has played in several musicals in Boston and at Chicago’s Theater on the Lake. MELINDA HARRISON is a Tour Manager based in the San Francisco office. Born in Michigan, she graduated with a BA from the University of Michi- gan and from Western Michigan Univer- sity with a master’s degree in education. Melinda spent 20 years abroad, living in Hong Kong, Germany, the Netherlands SAN FRANCISCO and, for 10 years, in London. She com- Hugh Davies pleted both Christie’s and Sotheby’s Fine Melinda Harrison Christina Teply Arts courses, and arranged adult study Noelle Tsigounis tours and classes. Before joining ACFEA, Amy Young Melinda worked with another major con- (800) 886-2055 (415) 453-6619 cert tour agency, where she arranged tours 1567 Fourth St., San Rafael, CA 94901 for church and community choirs, study groups and other special interest tours. MARK POWELL, Tour Manager, is study abroad programs in France and trumpet. He currently teaches trumpet at based in Seattle. Shortly after earning his Central America, competitive tours Music Center of the Northwest and per- degree in vocal music from Seattle Pacific throughout Europe with a track team, forms freelance in the Seattle area. University, Mark moved to England to and trips to Russia, China, Australia and AMY YOUNG is a Tour Manager, manage the National Youth Choir of New Zealand. Currently, Christina sings based in San Francisco. From upstate New Great Britain. He then lived in Belgium, with, and is Chorus Manager of, the York, she graduated with a degree in psy- where he worked for the International Marin Master Chorale. chology and a minor in music history and Federation for Choral Music and sang in NOELLE TSIGOUNIS is a Tour Man- theory from the State University of New the professional Choeur de Chambre de ager in the San Francisco office. A native York at Geneseo. She has toured through- Namur. Mark is now a freelance singer in of New York, Noelle earned her degree out Europe with various performing en- several semi-professional choirs: The in vocal performance from the State sembles, including with the Geneseo Tudor Choir and The Compline Choir in University of New York at Geneseo. She Chamber Singers on two ACFEA tours of Seattle, and Cappella Romana in Portland. has lived in London, traveled extensively Italy. Amy worked for Chautauqua Institu- SUZANNE ROBBINS is a Tour Man- throughout Europe and the Middle East, tion as a tour coordinator and was a mem- ager in the New York office. She has a and accompanied the Geneseo Chamber ber of the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus. She degree in music from Wellesley College Singers on an ACFEA tour of Italy as the currently sings with the San Francisco Sym- and spent her youth traveling extensively assistant conductor. Noelle currently phony Chorus and the San Francisco Con- in Europe and South America. Before sings with the San Francisco Concert cert Chorale. joining ACFEA, Suzanne managed the Chorale and is Assistant Conductor of booking division of Performing Arts Con- the Marin Youth Chorus. sultants in Boston. Suzanne has sung DAVID WERT, Tour Manager, is with such ensembles as the Dessoff based in the Seattle office. A native of “The trip was another ACFEA Choirs and the New York Choral Society, Pennsylvania, he is the former assistant triumph. I don’t know how you do it - and she is currently a member of the director of the Armed Forces School of but the whole experience was per- Westchester Concert Singers and the Music in Norfolk, VA. As a director of US fectly suited to our needs. We had the Uptown Sound. Navy Bands, he performed in and con- feeling, from beginning to end, that CHRISTINA TEPLY is a Tour Man- ducted musical ensembles in over 30 we had special attention. Thank you ager based in the California office. Born countries, including many in South so much. See you in ‘99.” in San Francisco, she graduated from the America, Africa, Asia and the Far East. Sonja Dahlgren Pryor, Director University of California, San Diego, with a David had choral training from an early Chorus North Shore degree in French, and has worked with age and is an accomplished performer on ACFEA since 1992. Her travels include piano, contemporary keyboard and

5 AMHERST On her third concert feast greeted the choir on arrival. A HEART FULL The Valley ACFEA concert The beautiful Convento San Christian CHOIR TOURS tour with choirs Buenaventura in Seville was the site of OF SONG, A Center Sanc- IBERIA from Amherst the choir’s last concert in Spain. Ms TRAILER FULL OF tuary Choir College, Director Chernin exclaimed, “The best acoustics GOODWILL (Director, Mallorie Chernin took a closely knit group we had on tour and a great audience. John Sutton), of 23 singers to Spain and Portugal in How did you do that in Sevilla?“ from Dublin, CA, embarked on a special May and June. Armed with a diverse a The last five days of the tour were tour this summer to Finland, Estonia, cappella repertoire including American, spent in Portugal, beginning in the an- Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, bringing not Spanish and Portuguese folk songs, the cient, walled city of Evora. Here the choir only their fine voices but also bountiful choir arrived with great expectations. performed in the lovely Igreja do Espirito goodwill and aid to several appreciative Santo to an host organizations in the Baltic republics. appreciative The effect of their combined musical and audience. material ministry proved a moving and Then on to rewarding experience for all involved. the capital city The choir began the trip in Helsinki of Lisbon, with a trailer of goods in tow and a brief- where they case of documentation intended to facili- were invited tate the clearing of customs at the many to sing infor- border crossings to come. Their load light- mally at the ened as they distributed clothing, medical American and computer supplies while singing their Embassy and way through Estonia, performing in Tallinn scheduled to at the Dom Church, during services at Kaarli sing two area Church, and at a beneficiary concert at the concerts. The Ravila Rehabilitation Home, before mov- group con- ing on to Tartu for a concert at St Peter’s cluded the Church. In Latvia, the choir performed a tour with a benefit concert at Matthew’s Baptist farewell gath- Church in Riga and visited the Zalits They discovered large, enthusiastic audi- ering in a local restaurant, complete with Internat Paligskola, a children’s school for ences, spectacular venues with vibrant traditional Fado singers and Portuguese the mentally disabled, where a short recital acoustics, and wonderful food. specialties. was held and more goods donated. The tour began in the Granada Upon returning to Amherst, Ms En route to Vilnius, the choir stopped area. ACFEA had identified churches in Chernin said, “…We had a great tour — to visit the Hill of Crosses outside of Siauliai, a some smaller towns that were eager to wonderful concerts, venues, audiences, sacred site since the early 19th century host these young Americans, so each places to stay and meals. Thank you very where, despite recent Communist efforts, concert involved a short ride through the much!“ people have been erecting (or re-erecting) countryside between Granada and thousands of memorial crosses of all Cordoba. shapes and sizes in random order. This Upon arrival at the Iglesia Nuestra powerful sight surely stands out as a tour Señora de Guadalupe in Baena, each tour highlight, as does the joint performance member was presented with several bottles “Another winning experience with the Cathedral Choir of Vilnius Cathe- of local olive oil and white wine. The concert for us all. Thanks to all of you.” dral, which took place July 6, State Day, was taped for broadcast on local television Robert Keener, Director honoring King Mindaugas. The concert and Ms Chernin was interviewed by the Asheville Choral Society was a huge success, attended by the Minis- local press. At the Iglesia San Francisco in ter of Culture, broadcast live by radio, and Lucena a similar welcome and a pre- followed by a gala celebration. A long train ride brought the choir from Lithuania to Poland for visits to Krakow and Warsaw, where the choir MUSIC ON Members of the jazz band Running Birds. The program was took in the sights of these two beautiful Eugene Master completed with favorite standards of cities, participated in services at the THE RIVIERA Chorale (OR) under American repertoire, including Shadrack, Carmelite and Santa Anna churches, and Diane Price, the Shenandoah, and Bill Bailey. Audiences in traveled to the concentration camp at Irvine Valley College Chorale (CA) under the Italian towns of Seborga and San Auschwitz. Jan Wyma, and the Ponca City Singers Remo, and the French town of Peillon, (OK), joined forces on the Italian Riviera thrilled to the exciting performances, and for ten days of great music, fabulous the choir members were introduced to “...we were so pleased with this food, exotic sites, fun in the sun, and rest the warmth, enthusiasm, and exuberance recent trip. To answer your question and relaxation. of the people of the Riviera. Summed up as to when to begin planning our next Under the direction of noted con- in the words of Jan Wyma, “Everyone trip: the day after you receive this ductor Jonathan Griffith, the choir sang came home feeling well rewarded musi- letter!” Paul Winter’s famous earth mass, Missa cally and personally and having had a Henley Denmead, Director Gaia, accompanied by Jim Scott, co- great time together. We are very appre- Hartford Chorale writer of the mass, on guitar, and the local ciative of the hard work ACFEA did.”

6 PORTLAND This young and Combining with three other choirs, the HONOR BAND In association talented group Portland Symphonic Girlchoir performed with Bands of GIRLCHOIR went the extra a variety of Australian works, including DEBUTS IN America Inc, CONNECTS mile on their Leek’s recent work for treble voices and EUROPE ACFEA made the DOWN UNDER tour...or rather chamber orchestra, Star Tribes. arrangements for 8,757 miles, The choir also visited Sydney, tour- the Honor Band of America’s inaugural flying from Portland, Oregon, to their first ing the Opera House and the Old Town, concert tour of western Europe. In July, destination, Melbourne, Australia. and gave concerts in the area. The final 70 of America’s finest young wind and Upon arrival, the choir members days of the tour were spent in the tropical brass students, under the conductorship were hosted north, on the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns, of Ray Cramer, began a busy week’s tour by families where the choir saw first-hand the unique of France, Germany, the Netherlands and from two flora and fauna while snorkeling at this Austria. The band had been invited to Melbourne- natural wonder. take part in two prestigious events: the based choirs, The tour was a great success. “We World Music Contest in Kerkrade, Holland, the Victorian appreciate the opportunity to work with and the convention of the World Associa- Boys’ Choir such a professional company that is so in tion for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles in and the tune to the needs of a performing Schladming, Austria. Australian group,” say Melinda Kinsman and The repertoire for the tour was Girls’ Choir. Rebecca Robb-Hicks, co-coordinators of varied, from the traditional (Stars and Having met the tour. “We came home with wonder- Stripes Forever and Percy Grainger’s many of ful memories, new friends and an appre- Lincolnshire Posy) to more modern works. these hosts ciation of the people and land of Australia Mark Camphouse’s Whatsoever on a previ- ....Without a doubt, this was the best Things..., written especially for the 1997 ous tour, the international tour the choir has experi- Honor Band, was given its European Portland enced. We can’t wait to tour again!” premiere on this tour. girls enjoyed The choir’s director, Roberta Jack- The tour began in Paris with a con- an especially son, echoes these sentiments: “I was cert in front of a 400-strong audience in warm welcome that continued as these delighted with the tour, and I look for- the splendid Eglise Saint-Germain-des- groups hosted the choir’s first concert ward to working with ACFEA for the Prés in the heart of the city. The following before an enthusiastic public. 1999 10th Anniversary Tour.” day it was on to Aachen and the WMC The real highlight of the tour came festivities where the band was given a in Canberra, the capital of Australia. The police escort to its performance. The final Pacific Connection Four Choirs Festival, “The bottom line is that we had two performances, at WASBE and in Graz, hosted by the Woden Valley Youth Choir, an incredible time and the memories provided the most emotional concert experi- included several workshops with Stephen will be cherished for a lifetime” ences for the students, some of whom gave Leek, a young and influential Australian Cathleen Suey their last concerts with the Honor Band composer whose choral works had re- Tour Coordinator, Davis High before returning to the USA to continue cently been featured at the 1996 World School Madrigal Choir their musical studies at university. Symposium on Choral Music in Sydney.

FROM This year the Grouse Mountain and the Cameron and the orchestra experienced everything Bucknell Univer- Bandshell of Victoria’s picturesque Beacon from the quaint British tearooms and MOUNTAINTOP sity Concert Hill Park. Other unique opportunities for horse-drawn carriages of Victoria to the TO SEASCAPE: Chorale future groups could include performances in trendy downtown metropolises of Seattle THE PACIFIC (Lewisburg, PA) the Seattle Modern Art Museum, on the and Vancouver. At every turn, they were and the South surrounded by the majestic beauty NORTHWEST Bay Youth of the mountains and the bustling Orchestra waterfronts. Even getting from city (Saratoga, CA), under the direction of Will- to city was varied: by air, land and iam Payn and Peter Susskind respectively, sea. Ferries are a predominant enjoyed week-long visits to Washington mode of transportation, so these State and British Columbia, each group groups had the chance to navigate reveling in the opportunity to explore this the waterways while enjoying the unique combination of foreign culture, stunning scenery. history, sightseeing and the great outdoors. As the Bucknell University As culture is a very prominent part Concert Chorale and the South of life in this region, concert opportunities Bay Youth Orchestra discovered, are many and varied, and audiences the Pacific Northwest is an idyllic enthusiastically welcome visiting groups. destination for any group Each group enjoyed performing in a wide Bucknell choir in Victoria, BC wishing to experience culture array of venues, including the acoustically and beauty, visit a foreign coun- beautiful Ryerson United Church in steps of the lovely Empress Hotel on try without crossing an ocean, and Vancouver and the First Presbyterian Victoria’s waterfront, or marching in the perform its music in a cutting edge arts Church of Seattle, as well as some eclectic Victoria Day Parade. environment. locations including high atop Vancouver’s In a 100-mile radius, the chorale

7 TRINITY CHURCH: One of the at Westminster Abbey and Evensong at HUNTSVILLE From the passion- bastions of St Paul’s Cathedral, gave a recital at filled streets of Italy, FROM BOSTON the Anglican Salisbury Cathedral, performed a concert CHOIR DOES to the majestic (MA) TO tradition, at St Philip’s Cathedral, Birmingham, and EUROPE! mountains of Aus- BOSTON (UK) Trinity Church participated in Sunday services at St tria, to the chic ambi- in the City of Botolph’s in eponymous Boston, where ance of France, and to the quaint English Boston, sent its choir with greetings they were billeted by the congregation. countryside, the University of Alabama, across ‘the pond’ to its counterparts in Perhaps the greatest performances were Huntsville, Concert Choir covered the two outstanding concerts with gamut of life in Europe on its first interna- the Academy of Oxford Brass tional concert tour. Under the direction of Ensemble: one in Cirencester Bonnie Borshay Sneed the choir started in Parish Church as part of the Rome and made an ambitious sweep of Cirencester Festival, and one in the continent, including Milan, Innsbruck, New College Chapel, Oxford. Salzburg, Vienna and Paris, before taking In addition to the perfor- the ‘chunnel’ to England, where they mances, the choir members visited Tenterden and London. Perform- enjoyed sightseeing in London, ing an eclectic sacred repertoire, with Stratford-upon-Avon, the pieces by Palestrina, Aguiar, Messiaen Cotswolds and Oxford, as well as and Clausen, the choir sang in masses at many opportunities for cultural St Peter’s Basilica (Vatican City), the exchange. Duomo (Milan), Schönbrunn Palace The members of the choir Chapel (Vienna) and Sacré-Coeur (Paris). found the tour to be a great But these only represent the scheduled success. Tour manager Tim Russell performances! In addition, the choir took Outside Salisbury Cathedral wrote on his post-tour report, full advantage of the wealth of opportu- “The responses I’ve gotten from nities for impromptu singing in a variety England. On its first-ever concert tour, the my questionnaire to choir members showed of fabulous venues. Says Dr Sneed, “We Trinity Choir built a musical bridge be- ratings of 9 or above (out of 10). As one sang everywhere...I hope someone will tween the old and new worlds with its choir member said when responding to the print up what we actually did!” renowned ability to infuse the clarity of question about the single most memorable English singing with the warmth of part of the tour, ‘I have never felt closer to America. God’.” “Travel and performance have The focus of the tour was one of caused us to grow both as musicians sharing through music, and this goal was and as people, and the question every- certainly accomplished as audiences “A huge success. Great one is asking is “How soon can we do throughout England were touched by the couriers, excellent concerts, good food.” this again?” splendid singing of pieces by Billings, Rod Baggett, Director Leslie Guelker-Cone, Director Christiansen, Piccolo, Sowerby and Nevada Union High Western Washington University Thompson. Under the direction of Brian School Choir Concert Choir Jones, the choir sang a recital and service

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