The walls of the Widener Lecture Hall weren’t strong enough to contain the powerful stage presence of Cabrini College’s choir. That’s why the talented group of singers traveled 4,306 miles to perform in Vienna, Austria.
“The trip was part of a Christmas tour,” Lindsay Buckley, junior elementary education major, said.
The tour was called International Advent Sing. With seven North American and 20 European choirs represented the tour guaranteed some unique sounds.
“It was really exciting to work with all of the other choirs,” Robert Stoop, sophomore biology major, said. “All of the choirs sang Mozart’s ‘Ode To Joy’ at one performance.”
Dr. Adeline Bethany, Cabrini’s choral director, chose some traditional Christmas tunes and some original music written in Vienna for the tour. The choir performed the traditional Christmas tune “Silent Night” in German.
While Cabrini was an all college student group at the event, some choirs contained members of much older ages.
“Some of the European choirs were in their 40’s and 50’s,” Buckley said. “It was pretty cool because one older group complimented our singing abilities. I didn’t think we did that great, but they told us we were the best they’ve ever heard. That was quite the compliment.”
The Cabrini choir certainly got to experience Vienna in full effect. The performers visited Vienna’s Christmas Market, the Shon Braun Palace, Vienna’s city hall and historical church Melk Abby as part of the four day tour.
The trip was not only open to members of the choir. Nine friends and family members accompanied the 16 voicestrous singers on their journey through Austria.
“Having ancestors from the royal family in Austria, it was the coolest experience guessing whether or not my ancestors actually walked the same streets I was,” Stoop said.
Although the choir members are feeling the jet lag from their trip they are getting set for their next big performance.
The entire Cabrini choir, which consists of 50 plus members, will be performing on Sunday, Dec. 7, for their annual holiday concert. It will take place at 3 p.m. in Grace Hall’s atrium.
“Whether you like holiday music or just having a good time, come out and enjoy the concert,” Buckley said.
