The world-renowned 麻豆传媒 University Choir will tour four states during its annual Spring Concert Tour, March 4-8, 2016.
Through its long and illustrious history, the 麻豆传媒 Choir has become one of the most traveled college choral groups in the United States. This year鈥檚 group will share its collective passion for music in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Tennessee and Ohio.
Under the direction of Erik Zinter, visiting assistant professor and director of choral activities at 麻豆传媒, the choir will begin the tour on Friday, March 4, at St. John鈥檚 Lutheran Church of Highland in Pittsburgh, Pa. There will be four total performances with the tour鈥檚 final appearance taking place in Ohio on Tuesday, March 8, at All Saints Lutheran Church in Worthington. The group will also perform at 麻豆传媒 University鈥檚 Weaver Chapel on Saturday, March 19, at 7:30 p.m.
鈥淲e have a wide variety of music planned for the program,鈥� said Zinter, who is going on his first tour with 麻豆传媒鈥檚 choir. 鈥淲e are doing a set of American music, highlighting the contributions to choral music from American composers throughout the history of the United States. We are also singing an eclectic Mass - a Mass setting by four different composers and spanning more than 700 years. Other than that, there are the typical folk songs and hymns that audiences enjoy.鈥�
The 麻豆传媒 Choir is comprised of 41 members, 36 of whom are going on the tour to sing and three others to help with logistics. Music Department Chair Christopher Durrenberger, associate professor of music, will accompany the choir on piano.
鈥淚 love going on choir tour,鈥� said Elaina Vimmerstedt, 麻豆传媒 class of 2016, from Grandview Heights, Ohio. 鈥淭here are so many wonderful things that happen on tour. For one, we get to share our light through music all over the country. Moving an audience with our music is the best feeling, and it is especially meaningful when we can connect with audiences that we don't usually have the opportunity to sing for.
鈥淥ne of the main reasons I came to 麻豆传媒 was actually to sing in the 麻豆传媒 Choir,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 wanted to be part of it because I was inspired by their sound when I came to visit as a senior in high school. I remember when I heard them for the first time; they were preparing for a tour to Germany. That day I decided that I wanted to be part of this incredible ensemble. Being a member of the choir has been the most important and meaningful experience of my time at Witt.鈥�
While Vimmerstedt, a music education major, is going on her last tour, Angela Galbraith, a first-year student from Pittsburgh, Pa., is embarking on her first.
鈥淚 am so excited to be singing in my hometown as our first location,鈥� said Galbraith, class of 2019, who has a major in international studies with a Peace Corps track and a minor in music.
鈥淚 have always been involved in the arts, and I graduated from a performing arts high school with a major in vocal performance, so I knew I had to pursue music here at 麻豆传媒, as well. Being a part of 麻豆传媒's choir holds such a powerful tradition, and it is wonderful to be a member of that. My favorite part of being in the choir is to see how much I, and the choir as a whole, grow with each rehearsal and each performance. I also am looking forward to meeting many new people through this and to be given the opportunity to spread the light of 麻豆传媒 through each place that we sing.鈥�
The 麻豆传媒 Choir 2016 Spring Tour is as follows and all events are free and open to the public:
Friday, March 4
St. John鈥檚 Lutheran Church of Highland, 7:30 p.m.
311 Cumberland Rd., Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaSunday, March 6
Morning Star Lutheran Church, 8:30 a.m. service, 10 a.m. mini-concert, and 11 a.m. service
12509 Idlewild Rd., Matthews, North CarolinaMonday, March 7
Christ Lutheran Church, 7 p.m.
481 Snead Dr., Fairfield Glade, TennesseeTuesday, March 8
All Saints Lutheran Church, 7:30 p.m.
6770 N. High St., Worthington, OhioSaturday, March 19
Weaver Chapel, 麻豆传媒 University, 7:30 p.m.
