"It's the performing that's really life changing:" Reflections on the La Canada High School Italy Tour

Last night's performance at Basilica Sant' Agnes in Agone was the perfect end to La Canada High School's whirlwind Italian tour. "We loved the church, that it was smaller and more intimate [than some of the previous venues]," said director Jeff Brookey, who also was pleased with the standing-room-only audience. "The concert was amazing. It was the perfect place for our closing concert."

But while still on a high from the night's recital of sacred music, and preparing for the long trip home today, Brookey, the students, and the parents and friends of the choir also couldn't help but think about all the amazing places they'd been and things they'd seen in the last week.


Here are some of the highlights:

• Mass at Saint Mark's Basilica in Venice: The choir's first performance was at this beautiful church in the world-famous city of canals. Though a secular school, the chamber singers and larger ensemble have been preparing a repertoire of sacred songs for this tour since last September. Because of the limitations of singing in ancient churches, Jeff chose songs that are all a capella. He also chose slower, more melancholic pieces to respect the mood and tone of Lent, which inspired him to choose music with sacred themes but interesting chords so every piece didn't sound the same. The choir's first experience sharing pieces like Eric Whitacre's "Lux aurumque" and Eric Barnum's "Adoramus te, Christe" went even better than expected. "It was a moving experience," said Jeff. Plus, added Eva F., "the acoustics were so amazing."

• The Baptistry of St. John in Pisa: Most tourists in Pisa are awed by the physics of the Leaning Tower. But the La Canada Choir was awed by the physics of the Baptistry's unique acoustics: an 11-second reverb. The group was given permission to sing one song in the austere dome, but were so impressive and appreciative that they were asked for an encore. Adjusting to the sonic circumstances wasn't easy - "we had to take it very slow," said Jeff - but learning to modify and modulate the voice for different performance venues is one of the great educational aspects of a tour like this.
  

• Florence: A favorite tourist stop for many of the students was beautiful Firenze. Singers mentioned the Renaissance architecture and the picturesque streets. But most important was the concert. "We've seen amazing sights," said Jeff. "But they get that it's the performing that's really life changing." The students agreed, and especially loved performing in a joint concert with JSerra Catholic High School, whose choir director just happens to be Jeff's best friend.

• Cultural Exchange in Rieti: One of the special aspects of an Incantato tour is getting to visit towns beyond the big tourist destinations, like the hill town of Rieti. Before performing in the comune's gorgeous theater, the La Canada choir met with a choir from a local school. The students from California were impressed with the Italians' English, and were surprised to realize that however different the two sets of students were, the love of music bonded them. "It's amazing to share our love of music with people 5,000 miles from home," said Brandon C. They also said that being in a small town made intuitive sense to them and helped them connect to Italian life. "We can relate to Rieti," said Julia T. Eva F. agreed. "It was familiar, but special."

• Teatro Flavio Vespasiano in Rieti: The true jewel of visiting Rieti, though, was the choir's performance in the local theater. "It's beautiful - so grandiose," said Jeff. "The students said it was like being in the movies, or on the set of Phantom of the Opera." Brandon C. agreed. At home in Los Angeles, "we never get to sing in a theater like this," he said. Jeff was particularly looking forward to performing at a secular venue because the choir was able to sing non-religious songs like Eric Barnum's "Lotos" and the fascinatingly beautiful Indonesian tune "Luk Luk Lumbu." And during the performance, Brandon C. said he had a magical music moment. "It's when you're singing and you look at each other and everything just comes together," he said. "It happened in almost every song."
  

• High Mass at St. Peter's Basilica and the Papal Audience: The choir understood and appreciated the opportunity to visit Vatican City and sing at High Mass. "The Jewish students, Catholics, Mormons, nonbelievers ... they all realize it's a special thing to sing mass," said Jeff. And they were honored to sing 45 seconds of Moses Hogan's "Hear My Prayer" for the Pope. "We really enjoyed the Papal audience," said Jeff. An added bonus? They reunited with the choir from JSerra Catholic High School for this special event. "That was fun," Jeff said.
  

Overall, Jeff said the students had an incredible experience on tour. "They wouldn't be able to do this on their own," he said. "There's something so special about it."

As for whether Jeff was looking forward to heading home, though, it doesn't seem he gets much respite from the rigorous tour life yet. "I have my doctoral oral exams right when I get back," he said. "I have to be studying on the 11-hour flight."

We wish him luck, and wish the La Canada students and entourage a safe journey home.

La Canada High School Choirs present final Italy Tour Concert in Rome at 6 pm at the beautiful Church of Sant' Agnese on April 6

The La Canada Choirs perform a final feature concert at Rome's Basilica Sant'Agnese in Agone at 6 PM on Wednesday, April 6, 2011.

The Basilica Sant’Agnese in Agone in Rome was constructed in 1652 on the site of Saint Agnes’ martyrdom, now the location of the Piazza Navona. The designs for the Baroque church were commissioned by Pope Innocent X, whose funerary monument now lies within the church. The Pope’s family even had a large palace adjacent to the church. Baroque architect Francesco Borromini ultimately introduced a concave volume in the center of the sanctuary, creating prime acoustics for vocal music. Visitors enjoy the interior’s premier sculptural artwork, accented by the marble relief found in the main altar, as well as Bernini’s famous Fountain of the Four Rivers that lies in front of the church.

A first video from the La Canada HS Choirs in Rieti

First impressions from the La Canada HS Choirs concert at the Teatro di Rieti

Impressions from the La Canada HS Italy Performance Tour

Highlight Concert for La Canada HS Choirs in Rieti today at 6:30 pm

After singing Mass at the Basilica of San Marco in Venice on Friday and a first formal concert at the Church of San Lorenzo in Florence on Sunday, the La Canada High School Concert Choir and Chamber Singers present at feature concert at the Teatro Flavio Vespasiano di Rieti on Monday, April 4, 2011 at 6:30 PM - one if not the highlight on their 2011 Incantato Italy Performance Tour. 
The Theatre Flavio Vespasiano is the main theater of Rieti, a town in the commune of Lazio in central Italy. The current structure dates back to December of 1883 but was not officially inaugurated until September 20, 1893, featuring productions of Goethe’s Faust and Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana. The theater, named for the Roman Emperor Vespasian, required ten years of construction under the direction of Milanese architect Achille Sfondrini. The theater underwent complete restoration from 2005 through 2009. A grand re-opening celebration commenced on January 10, 2009 featuring conductor Marcello Rota, and soloists Karina Grigoryan, Jessica Pratt, Anna Gorayacheva, and Roman Burdenko. The Secretary to the Prime Minister as well as Senator Franco Marini were in attendance. The restoration efforts totaled more than 3.3 million Euro.

The reopening of the theater also fostered the formation of the Flavius Vespasian Foundation, aiming to promote international artistry and music. The Rieti Theatre also annually hosts the Rieti Dance Festival, the International Competition for the New Opera Voices of Mattia Battistini, and the National Competition for Young Actors. The theatre is well known for its excellent acoustics, a characteristic that earned the structure the very first National Award for the Acoustics. In referring to the acoustics, Professor Bruno Cagli, president of the National Academy of Saint Cecilia, once called the theatre “the world’s best in that respect”.

Here is a picture taken during the Florence concert on April 3, 2011 at the Church of San Lorenzo:

JSerra Chamber Choir and La Canada High School Choirs in concert at 7 pm at Church of San Lorenzo in Florence

The La Canada High School Concert Choir and Chamber Singers present a feature concert together with the JSerra Catholic High School Chamber Choir  at 7 PM, at the Church of San Lorenzo in Florence on Sunday, April 3, 2011. 

The Basilica di San Lorenzo stands as one of Florence, Italy’s largest churches, situated in the center of the city’s main market district. It is one of several churches claiming to be Florence’s oldest, having been consecrated in the year 393. The Basilica di San Lorenzo served as the city’s cathedral for 300 years until the Bishop’s official seat was moved to Santa Reparata. 

In 1419 parishioner Giovanni di Bicci de Medici offered to finance a new church to replace the Romanesque building. Filippo Brunelleschi, the leading Renaissance architect of the first half of the fifteenth century, was commissioned to design the new structure, although the new building did not reach completion until after the architect’s death. 

 The church is part of a larger monastic complex that boasts numerous additional important architectural works including the Laurentian Library by Michelangelo and the New Sacristy based on Michelangelo’s original designs. The sanctuary’s left aisle displays a large fresco by Bronzino depicting the Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence, and the marble choir loft was designed by Donatello, as were the two bronze pulpits.

Singers from La Canada High School the featured guest choir for Mass at St. Mark's Basilica in Venice on April 1 at 6:45 pm

After landing only yesterday in Italy, the La Canada High School Concert Choir and Chamber Singers from La Canada, California, will sing High Mass at Saint Mark's Basilica in Venice on Friday, April 1, 2011 at 6:45 pm under the direction of Mr. Jeff Brookey.

The Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of Saint Mark is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice. It is the most famous of the city's churches and one of the best known examples of Byzantine architecture. It lies on Piazza San Marco adjacent and connected to the Doge's Palace. Originally it was the "chapel" of the Venetian rulers, and not the city's cathedral. Since 1807 it has been the seat of the Patriarch of Venice, archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice. For its opulent design, gilded Byzantine mosaics, and its status as a symbol of Venetian wealth and power, from the 11th century onward the building has been known by the nickname Chiesa d'Oro (Church of gold).

The original Saint Mark's was a temporary building in the Doge's Palace, constructed in 828, when Venetian merchants stole the supposed relics of Saint Mark the Evangelist from Alexandria. This was replaced by a new church on its present site in 832; the first St. Mark's Campanile (bell tower) dates from the same century. The new church was burned in a rebellion in 976, rebuilt in 978 and again to form the basis of the present basilica since 1063.

The spacious interior of the building with its multiple choir lofts was the inspiration for the development of a Venetian polychoral style among the composers appointed maestro di cappella at St. Mark's. The style was first developed by a foreigner, Adrian Willaert, and was continued by Italian organists and composers, Andrea Gabrieli along with his nephew Giovanni Gabrieli, and later Claudio Monteverdi.

La Canada High School Choirs have an exciting tour coming up!

The Incantato Concert Postcard is just one of many marketing tools we distribute prior to the choirs' arrivals in Europe. This handy overview lists all the performances and also shows the official support for our traveling singers from many local partners whose logos we proudly feature.

JSerra Catholic HS Chamber Choir & La Canada HS Choirs in concert at the Church of San Lorenzo in Florence on Sunday, April 3, 2011 at 7:00PM

The La Canada High School Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, along with the JSerra Catholic High School Chamber Choir, will sing mass at 6:00PM, followed by a feature concert at 7:00PM, at the Church of San Lorenzo in Florence on Sunday, April 3, 2011.The Basilica di San Lorenzo stands as one of Florence, Italy’s largest churches, situated in the center of the city’s main market district. It is one of several churches claiming to be Florence’s oldest, having been consecrated in the year 393. The Basilica di San Lorenzo served as the city’s cathedral for 300 years until the Bishop’s official seat was moved to Santa Reparata. In 1419 parishioner Giovanni di Bicci de Medici offered to finance a new church to replace the Romanesque building. Filippo Brunelleschi, the leading Renaissance architect of the first half of the fifteenth century, was commissioned to design the new structure, although the new building did not reach completion until after the architect’s death. The church is part of a larger monastic complex that boasts numerous additional important architectural works including the Laurentian Library by Michelangelo and the New Sacristy based on Michelangelo’s original designs. The sanctuary’s left aisle displays a large fresco by Bronzino depicting the Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence, and the marble choir loft was designed by Donatello, as were the two bronze pulpits.

Incantato proudly presents the La Canada Choirs at Sant'Agnese in Agone (Rome) on Wednesday, April 6 at 6:00 PM

The La Canada Choirs will perform a feature concert at Rome's Basilica Sant'Agnese in Agone at 6:00PM on Wednesday, April 6, 2011.

The Basilica Sant’Agnese in Agone in Rome was constructed in 1652 on the site of Saint Agnes’ martyrdom, now the location of the Piazza Navona. The designs for the Baroque church were commissioned by Pope Innocent X, whose funerary monument now lies within the church. The Pope’s family even had a large palace adjacent to the church. Baroque architect Francesco Borromini ultimately introduced a concave volume in the center of the sanctuary, creating prime acoustics for vocal music. Visitors enjoy the interior’s premier sculptural artwork, accented by the marble relief found in the main altar, as well as Bernini’s famous Fountain of the Four Rivers that lies in front of the church.

High Mass at Saint Peter's Basilica (Vatican City) on Tuesday, April 5, at 5 PM with La Canada High School Concert Choir and Chamber Singers

The La Canada High School Concert Choir and Chamber Singers under the direction of Mr. Jeff Brookey will sing and celebrate High Mass at Saint Peter's Basilica on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 5:00 PM. The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter is located within the Vatican City. St. Peter's Basilica has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world, holding 60,000 people. It is the symbolic "Mother church" of the Catholic Church and is regarded as one of the holiest Christian sites. It has been described as "holding a unique position in the Christian world" and as "the greatest of all churches of Christendom".
In Catholic tradition, it is the burial site of its namesake Saint Peter, who was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and, according to tradition, first Bishop of Rome and therefore first in the line of the papal succession. Tradition and some historical evidence hold that Saint Peter's tomb is directly below the altar of the basilica. For this reason, many Popes have been interred at St Peter's since the Early Christian period. There has been a church on this site since the 4th century. Construction of the present basilica, over the old Constantinian basilica, began on April 18, 1506 and was completed on November 18, 1626. St. Peter's is famous as a place of pilgrimage, for its liturgical functions and for its historical associations. It is associated with the papacy, with the Counter-reformation and with numerous artists, most significantly Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni (1475-1564), an Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor, architect, poet, and engineer. Michelangelo took over a building site at which four piers, enormous beyond any constructed since the days of Ancient Rome, were rising behind the remaining nave of the old basilica. He also inherited the numerous schemes designed and redesigned by some of the greatest architectural and engineering brains of the 16th century. Incidentally there are over 100 tombs within St. Peter's Basilica, many located in the Vatican grotto, beneath the Basilica. These include 91 popes, St. Ignatius of Antioch, Holy Roman Emperor Otto II, and the composer Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. Exiled Catholic British royalty James Francis Edward Stuart and his two sons, Charles Edward Stuart and Henry Benedict Stuart, are buried here, having been granted asylum by Pope Clement XI. The most recent interment was Pope John Paul II, on April 8, 2005.

La Canada High School Concert Choir and Chamber Singers will perform at Il Teatro Flavio Vespasiano in Rieti on Monday, April 4 at 6:30 PM

The La Canada High School Concert Choir and Chamber Singers will perform at feature concert at Il Teatro Flavio Vespasiano in Rieti on Monday, April 4, 2011 at 6:30 PM. Il Teatro Flavio Vespasiano is the main theater of Rieti, a town in the commune of Lazio in central Italy. The current structure dates back to December of 1883 but was not officially inaugurated until September 20, 1893, featuring productions of Goethe’s Faust and Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana. The theater, named for the Roman Emperor Vespasian, required ten years of construction under the direction of Milanese architect Achille Sfondrini. The theater underwent complete restoration from 2005 through 2009. A grand re-opening celebration commenced on January 10, 2009 featuring conductor Marcello Rota, and soloists Karina Grigoryan, Jessica Pratt, Anna Gorayacheva, and Roman Burdenko. The Secretary to the Prime Minister as well as Senator Franco Marini were in attendance. The restoration efforts totaled more than 3.3 million Euro. The reopening of the theater also fostered the formation of the Flavius Vespasian Foundation, aiming to promote international artistry and music. The Rieti Theatre also annually hosts the Rieti Dance Festival, the International Competition for the New Opera Voices of Mattia Battistini, and the National Competition for Young Actors. The theatre is well known for its excellent acoustics, a characteristic that earned the structure the very first National Award for the Acoustics. In referring to the acoustics, Professor Bruno Cagli, president of the National Academy of Saint Cecilia, once called the theatre “the world’s best in that respect”.

Incantato Tours proudly presents La Canada High School Concert Choir and Chamber Singers at St. Mark's Basilica (Venice) on Friday, April 1 at 6:45 PM

The La Canada High School Concert Choir and Chamber Singers from La Canada, California, will sing High Mass at Saint Mark's Basilica in Venice on Friday, April 1, 2011 at 6:45PM.

The Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of Saint Mark is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice. It is the most famous of the city's churches and one of the best known examples of Byzantine architecture. It lies on Piazza San Marco adjacent and connected to the Doge's Palace. Originally it was the "chapel" of the Venetian rulers, and not the city's cathedral. Since 1807 it has been the seat of the Patriarch of Venice, archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice. For its opulent design, gilded Byzantine mosaics, and its status as a symbol of Venetian wealth and power, from the 11th century onward the building has been known by the nickname Chiesa d'Oro (Church of gold).
The original Saint Mark's was a temporary building in the Doge's Palace, constructed in 828, when Venetian merchants stole the supposed relics of Saint Mark the Evangelist from Alexandria. This was replaced by a new church on its present site in 832; the first St. Mark's Campanile (bell tower) dates from the same century. The new church was burned in a rebellion in 976, rebuilt in 978 and again to form the basis of the present basilica since 1063.
The spacious interior of the building with its multiple choir lofts was the inspiration for the development of a Venetian polychoral style among the composers appointed maestro di cappella at St. Mark's. The style was first developed by a foreigner, Adrian Willaert, and was continued by Italian organists and composers, Andrea Gabrieli along with his nephew Giovanni Gabrieli, and later Claudio Monteverdi.

Incantato Tours proudly presents (y)our 2011 Performance Tour Series:

“Love Songs Human and Divine: Songs for the Spirit”

Presented by the University of South Carolina Concert Choir, of Columbia, South Carolina, USA. The choir is under the direction of Dr. Larry Wyatt and accompanied by Dr. Williams Bates.

The University of South Carolina Concert Choir will perform throughout Italy and the Vatican State from March 3 through March 14, 2011.

The tour will be in Tuscany from March 4 through 7, Labro on March 8 and 9, and Rome from March 10 through 14.

The Choir will present the following overseas performances:

Sunday, March 6, 2011

• Mass at la Chiesa di San Lorenzo, Florence, 6:00PM
• Concert at Santa Maria Maggiore, Florence, 8:15PM

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

• Concert at Il Teatro Flavio Vespasiano, Rieti, 9:00PM

Thursday, March 10, 2011

• Concert at Sant'Agnese in Agone, Rome, 6:00PM

Sunday, March 13, 2011

• Mass at Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, 5:30PM

“Viva la Musica: Sacred choral music and jazz celebrating life, love, faith, and music”

Presented by the Bellarmine University Music Department, of Louisville, Kentucky, USA. The Schola Cantorum, in collaboration with the Louisville Vocal Project, will present a concert of sacred and secular masterpieces from the past and present, featuring music by Parsons, Byrd, Stanford, and Burchard. The Jazz Ensemble will present a concert of well-known American jazz standards featuring the music of Ellington, Mancini, Rodgers & Hart, Young, and Garner. The choirs are directed by Dr. S. Timothy Glasscock, and the Jazz ensemble is led by Mr. David Clark. Mr. Richard Burchard serves as the head of the Bellarmine University Music Department.

The ensembles will perform throughout Italy and the Vatican State from March 3 through 14, 2011. The tour will be in the Amalfi Coast region March 5 through 7, at the Montecassino Abbey on March 8, Tuscany from March 8 through 10, Assisi on March 11, and Rome on March 12 and 13.

The ensembles will present the following overseas performances:

Saturday, March 5, 2011

• Jazz Ensemble Concert at Sala degli Affreschi, Commune di Maiori, 7:30PM

Sunday, March 6, 2011

• Choirs Mass and Concert at San Francesco Basilica, Maiori, 6:00 PM
• Jazz Ensemble Concert at Torre Normanna, Maiori

Monday, March 7, 2011

• Choirs Concert at la Chiesa di Santa Teresa degli Scalzi, Naples, 4:45PM
• Jazz Ensemble Concert at Oratorio Thouret, 7:00 PM
  

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

• Choirs Recital at Montecassino Abbey, 11:00AM

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

• Jazz Ensemble Concert at Sala Bianca, Hotel Cellai, Florence, 7:00PM

Thursday, March 10, 2011

• Jazz Ensemble Concert at the Tea Room, Siena, 9:00 PM
  

Friday, March 11, 2011

• Choirs sing Mass at Saint Francis Basilica, Assisi, 11:00AM
• Likely Jazz Ensemble Jam & Recording Session, Calvi dell'Umbria

Saturday, March 12, 2011

• Choirs sing Mass at Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, 5:30PM

Sunday, March 13, 2011

• Choir sings Mass at the Church of Saint Robert Bellarmine, Rome, 12:00PM
• Choirs Concert at Il Duomo di San Gregorio Magno, Monte Porzio Catone, 7:00PM
• Jazz Ensemble Concert at Casal Pilozzo, Rome
  

“Songs of Hope, Peace, and Praise: from the master of the Italian motet to the master of the American spiritual”

Presented by the Mater Dei High School Chorus, of Santa Ana, California, USA. The 150-voice choir is under the direction of Mr. Scott Melvin and accompanied by Mr. Kent Helwig.

The Chorus will perform throughout Italy and the Vatican State from March 25 through April 3, 2011. The tour will be in the Amalfi Coast region from March 25 through 28, at the Montecassino Abbey on March 29, Rome for the Papal Audience on March 30, Umbria on March 31, and back to Rome from April 1 through 3.

The Chorus will present the following overseas performances:

Saturday, March 26, 2011

• Concert at Santa Maria a Mare, Maiori, 7:00PM

Sunday, March 27, 2011

• Mass at San Francesco Basilica, Maiori, 7:00PM
• Concert performance of Haydn's Paukenmesse at Il Duomo di Amalfi, 7:30PM

Monday, March 28, 2011

• School Exchange and Informal Concert at Maiori High School, 9:00AM

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

• Recital at Montecassino Abbey, 11:00AM

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

• Papal Audience, Vatican City, 10:30AM

Thursday, March 31, 2011

• Concert at Il Teatro Communale, Todi, 8:00PM

Friday, April 1, 2011

• Concert performance of Haydn's Paukenmesse with Orchestra Sinfonica Romarte at Basilica di Santi Giovanni e Paolo al Celio, Rome, 8:30PM

Saturday, April 2, 2011

• Mass at Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, 5:00PM
• Recital in the Sistine Chapel, Vatican City, 8:15PM - Exclusive event, not open to the public

“A Journey of Light: A concert of choral music that will awaken the sense, inspire the soul, and warm the heart”

Presented by the La Canada High School Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, of La

Canada, California, USA. The La Canada High School Concert Choir and Chamber Singers are under the direction of Mr. Jeff Brookey. The program will feature works by American and European composers spanning five centuries, including Claudio Monteverdi, Franz Schubert, Maurice Durufle, Eric Whitacre, and Moses Hogan.

The ensembles will perform throughout Italy and the Vatican State from March 30 through April 7, 2011. The tour will be in Mestre on March 31, Venice on April 1, Verona & Pisa on April 2, Florence on April 3, Labro and Rieti on April 4, and Rome from April 5 through 7.

The choirs will present the following overseas performances:

Friday, April 1, 2011

• Mass at Saint Mark's Basilica, Venice, 6:45PM

Sunday, April 3, 2011

• Mass with JSerra Catholic High School Chamber Choir at la Chiesa di San Lorenzo, Florence, 6:00PM
  
• Concert with JSerra Catholic High School Chamber Choir at la Chiesa di San Lorenzo, Florence, 7:00PM
  

Monday, April 4, 2011

• Concert at Il Teatro Flavio Vespasiano, Rieti, 6:30PM

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

• Mass at Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, 5:00PM

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

• Papal Audience, Vatican City, 10:30AM
• Concert at Sant'Agnese in Agone, Rome, 6:00PM

“I Saw Eternity: A spiritual pilgrimage through music of past and present”

Performed by the JSerra Catholic High School Chamber Choir, of San Juan Capistrano, California, USA. The JSerra Chamber Choir, featuring works by Bieble, Byrd, and Poulanc, is under the direction of Mr. Andrew M. Alvarez, and accompanied by Ms. Catherine Forbush.

The Chamber Choir will perform throughout Italy and the Vatican State, April 1 through 11, 2011. The tour will be in Florence on April 2 and 3, Tuscany on April 4, Assisi and Labro on April 5, and Rome from April 6 through 10.

The singers will present the following overseas performances:

Sunday, April 3, 2011

• Mass with La Canada High School Concert Choir & Chamber Singers at la Chiesa di San Lorenzo, Florence, 6:00PM
• Concert with La Canada High School Concert Choir & Chamber Singers at la Chiesa di San Lorenzo, Florence, 7:00PM

Monday, April 4, 2011

• Mass at Il Duomo di Siena, 10:00AM
• Mass at San Francesco Basilica, Assisi, 4:00PM

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

• Papal Audience, Vatican City, 10:30AM

Friday, April 8, 2011

• Mass at Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, 5:00PM

Saturday, April 9, 2011

• Mass at Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, 6:00PM

“Holy: Sacred music along the Danube”

Presented by the Youth Performing Arts School Touring Concert Choir, of Louisville, Kentucky, USA. The program features traditional and contemporary choral literature by an eclectic mix of composers, including Palestrina, Byrd, Marenzio, Burchard, and Mozart. The choir is directed by Dr. S. Timothy Glasscock, Director of Vocal Studies, and accompanied by Mr. Timothy Lee Baker, Organist.

The Choir will travel on a performance cruise on the Danube River through Central Europe from April 2 through April 11, 2011. The cruise will dock in Budapest on April 4, Bratislava on April 5, Vienna on April 6, Dürnstein and Melk on April 7, Linz and Cesky Krumlov on April 8, Passau and Vilshofen on April 9, and Prague on April 10.

The Choir will present the following overseas performances:

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

• Exchange & Recital at the Evangelical Bilingual Lyceum, Bratislava, 10:00AM

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

• Concert at Stephansdom, Vienna, 8:30PM

Thursday, April 7, 2011

• Concert at Duernstein Stiftskirche, 11:00AM

Friday, April 8, 2011

• Concert with the Cesky Krumlov Pipers at the Church of the Holy Corpse, Cesky Krumlov, 6:00PM

Saturday, April 9, 2011

• Concert & Youth Exchange at Schweiklberg Abbey, Vilshofen, 7:00PM

“A Collision of the Ancient and New World: a collection of Romantic and Contemporary choral gems of 19^th and 20^th centuries”

Presented by the San Marino Chamber Choir, from San Marino High School in Los Angeles, California, USA. The program features selected works by Claudio Monteverdi, J.S. Bach, Henry Purcell, Hugo Wolf, Morten Lauridsen, Moses Hogan, and many others. The Chamber Choir is under the direction of Mr. Howard Cheung and accompanied by Ms. Rachel Yang.

The choir will perform throughout Italy and the Vatican State from April 2 through April 12, 2011. The tour will be in the Castelli Romani region on April 3, the Amalfi Coast region from April 4 through 6, at Montecassino Abbey on April 7, Umbria on April 8, and Rome from April 9 through 12.

The Choir will present the following overseas performances:

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

• Concert at San Francesco Basilica, Maiori, 8:00PM

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

• Concert at Castel Nuovo Sala dei Baroni, Naples, 8:00PM

Thursday, April 7, 2011

• Recital at the Naples Conservatory, 10:00AM
• Recital at Montecassino Abbey, 3:00PM

Friday, April 8, 2011

• Concert at Il Teatro Flavio Vespasiano, Rieti, 9:00PM

Saturday, April 9, 2011

• Mass at Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, 5:00PM

“La Storia: Sharing stories through song, from one land to another – a concert of choral and instrumental music”

Presented by the St. Bonaventure’s College Wind Ensemble and Chamber Choir, of St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. The ensembles are conducted by Ms. Vincenza Etchegary, Instrumental Director, and Ms. Maria Conkey, Choral Director.

The St. Bonaventure’s College Wind Ensemble and Chamber Choir will tour Italy and the Vatican State from April 9 through April 17, 2011. The tour will be in Rome April 10 through April 12, the Amalfi Coast from April 13 through 15, and will conclude in the Castelli Romani region on April 16.

The ensembles will present the following overseas performances:

Monday, April 11, 2011

• Concert & Exchange at the Church of the Instituto Massimo, Rome, 10:15AM

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

• Mass at Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, 5:00PM
• Concert at the Church of Gesu, Rome, 9:00PM

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

• Papal Audience, Vatican City, 10:30AM

Thursday, April 14, 2011

• Concert at San Francesco Basilica, Maiori, 8:00PM

Saturday, April 16, 2011

• Recital at Montecassino Abbey, 11:00AM

“¡Cantemos!”

Presented by the University of Miami Frost Chorale, of Miami, Florida, USA, features choral masterworks paired with Spanish and American folk music. The Frost Chorale is under the direction of Dr. Josh Habermann.

The Frost Chorale will travel to Spain, May 15 through 23, 2011. The tour will be in Barcelona on May 16 and 17, Valencia on May 18 and 19, Cuenca on May 20, Toledo on May 21, and Madrid on May 22.

The choir will present the following overseas performances:

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

• Concert at la Iglesia de Santa Maria del Mar, Barcelona, 8:00PM

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

• Concert at Palacio del Marques de Dos Aguas, Valencia

Thursday, May 19, 2011

• Concert with the Chamber Choir of the Professional Conservatory of Music at la Iglesia de San Esteban, Valencia

Friday, May 20, 2011

• Concert at la Iglesia de San Pedro, Cuenca, 8:00PM

Saturday, May 21, 2011

• Concert at la Iglesia de Santo Tome, Toledo, 8:00PM

“Passion and Faith: Sacred and secular music to touch the heart and feed the soul”

Presented by the Providence College Choir and Symphonic Winds, of Providence, Rhode Island, USA. The Choir is under the direction of Dr. T.J. Harper and Accompanied by Ms. Sherry Humes Dane. The Symphonic Winds are led by Dr. Jennifer Bill.

The ensembles will be touring Italy and the Vatican State, May 16 through 26, 2011. The tour will be at the Montecassino Abbey May 17 and 18, Naples on May 19, Amalfi and Maiori on May 20, Rome May 21, 22, and 25, and Tuscany May 23 and 24.

The ensembles will present the following overseas performances:

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

• Recital at Montecassino Abbey, 10:00AM

Friday, May 20, 2011

• Concert at San Francesco Basilica, Maiori, 8:00PM

Sunday, May 22, 2011

• Mass at Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, 5:30PM
• Recital at the Sistine Chapel, Vatican City - Exclusive event, not open to the public

Monday, May 23, 2011

• Mass at Saint Francis Basilica, Assisi, 11:00AM

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

• Mass at Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, 6:00PM

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

• Papal Audience, Vatican City, 10:30AM
• Concert at Sant'Agnese in Agone, Rome, 6:30PM

“Songs from the heart to the heavens: Sacred and secular choral gems from the continental Europe, Great Britain, Africa, Australia, and the Americas”

Presented by the University of Georgia Chamber Choir, of Athens, Georgia, USA. The program ranges from works by Victoria and Brahms to jazz and spirituals. The choir is directed by Dr. Mitos Andaya and accompanied by Dr. Martha Thomas.

The choir travel on a performance tour of Portugal and Spain from May 19 through 29, 2011. The tour will be in Lisbon on May 20 and 21, Azambuja on May 22, Evora and Alentejo on May 23, Sevilla on May 24 and 25, Toledo on May 26 and 27.

“Gloria: A concert of sacred and secular choral music from the past and present”

Presented by the Fullerton College Concert Choir, of Fullerton, California, USA. The Choir is under the direction of Mr. John Tebay. The Fullerton College Concert Choir will perform throughout Germany and Austria from July 2 through 14, 2011. The tour will be in Weimar on July 3 and 4, Munch on July 5, Neuschwanstein on July 6, Salzburg on July 6 and 7, Spittal from July 7 through 10, and Vienna from July 11 through 14.