A continental chord: University choir members perform in France
Thursday, May 29, 2014
MANHATTAN — Choirs members from Kansas State University have spent a week in France, performing at such noted venues as Normandy and the Notre Dame Cathedral.
Julie Yu, co-director of choral studies at Kansas State University, conducted the choir on the trip, which was May 18-25. Alumna choir member Lois Graham, Junction City, and Cora Cooper, professor of violin at the university's School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, also sang with the group.
"Traveling to Europe and experiencing musical performances in historical places is delightful in itself, but sharing those experiences with such thoughtful and delightful students and family as we have at K-State elevates the experience to one that is extremely humbling and magical," Yu said.
On May 20, the choir sang at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, which overlooks Omaha Beach, one of the June 6, 1944, D-Day landing sites. Two members of the group placed a wreath at the memorial to help commemorate the 70th anniversary of D-Day. That same evening, the choir performed a church concert at Eglise Saint André in Port-en-Bessin Huppain.
On May 23, the choir was featured at Eglise La Madeleine in Paris, and on May 24, the group participated in the 6:30 p.m. mass at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris with the Rector-Archbishop Patrick Jacquin officiating. The group also enjoyed sightseeing at the Peace Memorial Museum in Caen, at various sites in Paris, including the Eiffel Tower, Trocadero, Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde, the Latin Quarter and the Louvre, and at Versailles Palace outside of Paris.
"France was a truly eye-opening experience, going somewhere with a completely different culture," said Alex Meier, sophomore in chemistry, Hesston. "It really taught me that I'm not as worldly as I thought, and that was an amazing thing to learn."
Pieces performed at the various venues included "Agnus Dei" by Afostino Agazzari, "Cry Out and Shout" by Knut Nystedt, "Hear My Prayer" by Moses Hogan, "Kyrie" from "Missa Brevis" by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, "Ride On, King Jesus" by Alice Parker and Robert Shaw, "Sanctus and Benedictus" by Lena Mclin, "There’ll Be Something in Heaven," arranged by Karl-Erik Svedlund, "To Daffodils" by Andrea Ramsey, "Ubi Caritas" by Ola Gjeilo and "Vultum Tuum" by Josquin des Pres.
Along with Meier, Kansas State University students participating on the trip included:
Caitlin Sewell, sophomore in hospitality management, Altamont; Stephanie Andra, junior in music education, Conway Springs; Chris Zimmerman, senior in music education, Derby; Kodi Martin, junior in accounting, Eureka; Grant Stucky, senior in elementary education, Fort Scott.
From Greater Kansas City: Emily Fish, junior in music education, and Brittany Motley, junior in social work, both from Olathe; and Aeriel Dodson, senior in family studies and human services, and Nicole Sisson, sophomore in communication sciences and disorders, both from Overland Park.
Tom Bacon, junior in music, Hutchinson; Madison Moore, sophomore in music, Iuka; Madison Boyer, sophomore in music education, Kingman; Christian Blackburn, junior in music, Lakin; Paul Meissbach, senior in music, Lawrence; Annika Schneider, senior in music education and Spanish education, Lindsborg.
From Manhattan: Ethan Pauls, senior in electrical engineering; Katherine Vaughan, senior in music education; and Matt Webb, junior in computer science.
Hunter Goddard, sophomore in computer science, Parsons; Jasmine Phillips, junior in psychology, Pomona; Rebekah Anliker, senior in elementary education, Scott City; Robert Hamilton, senior in music education and biology education, Topeka; Claire Bokelman, sophomore in feed science and management, Washington; and Amanda Sipes, senior in music education and psychology, Wichita.
From out of state: Randy Frye, master's student in music, Polk, Pennsylvania; and Erin Koolman, master's student in music, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
