UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — In May, 29 members of the Penn State Concert Choir undertook a successful four-concert European tour with stops in Venice, Italy; Ljubjlana, Slovenia; and Zadar and Dubrovnik, Croatia.
The choir performed with mezzo-soprano soloist and Penn State voice faculty member Jennifer Trost, who gave her final performances as a faculty member ahead of her retirement at the end of June.
Musical highlights included the opportunity to sing music written by composers from each of the cities or countries visited, as well as being able to sing music written more than 400 years ago by composers such as Giovani Gabrieli and Claudio Monteverdi in churches where their music may have been performed during their lifetime. Before each concert, students serenaded passersby and patrons of local cafés and bars, which successfully generated larger audiences. Audience members represented countries such as Germany, England, Australia, New Zealand and China and included some Penn State alumni.
Concert Choir member Emily Stoller said she felt like she connected with the international audiences during the tour.
“Throughout the course of the tour, I greatly enjoyed singing to strangers — both tourists and locals — and watching them form emotional connections to the music we were making. Hearing how our sounds came to life in the historical cathedrals gave me a new appreciation for making music every day in my life.”
The tour gave students a rare opportunity to sing in churches dating back as far as the fifth century, including Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Miracoli in Venice, with its precious polychrome-marbled façade running alongside a canal and intricately decorated early Renaissance marble reliefs, and the simple, yet elegant, St. Simon's Church in Zadar. According to Concert Choir Director Christopher Kiver, each church housed remarkable artwork and excellent acoustics for choral singing.
As well as performing, students had ample time to explore each of the cities with highlights including guided walking tours and visits to St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, the iconic hilltop castle in Ljubljana, and the historic walled city of Dubrovnik. Students also listened to the unique Sea Organ in Zadar designed by Nikola Bašić with sound created by the sea interacting with hidden pipes underneath the concrete promenade.
School of Music graduate student Jonah Glunt, president of the Concert Choir, said he appreciates the traveling opportunities that have come with being in Penn State choirs.
“Through Penn State choir tours alone, I have had the pleasure and privilege to visit 10 different countries,” Glunt said. “It is tours and opportunities like this that give students a more global perspective, something valuable to carry on and develop through our education and future careers. I am very grateful for the financial and educational support of this University.”
The Concert Choir is an academic class in the School of Music open to all Penn State students. Click here for more information or contact Kiver, professor and director of choral activities, at cak27@psu.edu.