Ivana Popovic
Junior
Music education (choral/general/vocal)
Ivana is hoping to be more informed on different cultures and the history of the different countries we are visiting. “Although it is not nearly as beautiful as some of our other pieces,” her favorite piece of music we are performing is Great God Almighty because it is much different from all of the other pieces and the audience always seems to enjoy it!
She has always loved traveling, and she could not turn down an opportunity to travel and sing in Europe with all of her closest friends. She hopes to leave this trip with memories that will last me a life time and to be more knowledgeable of different cultures.
“I want to tell our viewers about our amazing tour guides!!! Every single one of them has been so kind and wonderful! We have truly learned so much from them, and the trip would not be the same without them!”
Taylor Chioros Senior Music Education with a choral focus
Taylor is hoping to explore the different music cultures in Europe and see beautiful and historic landmarks. Her favorite piece is the Jesu Dulcis Memoria, because the main melody line resembles old Gregorian chant and, being Greek Orthodox, a lot of our church music is based off of that Phrygian modal melody and I felt more a connection to that piece based off of that connection. Also, she loves Great God Almighty because it’s fun to sing and gets the audience excited toward the end of our set.
She went on a choir tour in high school to Nashville and Memphis and loved traveling with a choir. The fact that she is terrified of planes made her nervous about the trip, but she is very happy that she was able to overcome her fear in order to attend and gain this experience.
She wants to remember the feeling of singing for strangers and helping others relive joy through music. “The fact that we helped fund refugees in Salzburg was so heart-warming to me and I want to remember that for a very long time.”
“Lauren is literally a rock star. When we got to Prague, my suitcase never got on the plane and Lauren helped me so much with getting what I needed until it arrived and kept me sane throughout the struggling process. She is so sweet and helpful and I just want to thank her for all that she has done for the trip, because we would not be here without you. Thank you <3”
“Oh shucks”-Lauren
Rachel Ann Miller
Senior
Music Education
Over the course of this trip, Rachel wanted to experience music in the midst of different cultures. Music speaks to everyone and she wanted to be a part of that. Her favorite song we are singing is the Hail Gladdening Light by Wood because she sang it on her last choir tour and it is wonderful to share the same music in a different location.
She knew she wanted to travel and this was the perfect way to do it. Traveling with a choir offers so many different opportunities than traveling on your own. Rachel hopes to take away memories that will last a lifetime!
Madison Green
Senior
Criminal Justice Sciences/Music minor
Madison is hoping to gain a better understanding of the cultures as well as be able to actually see in person some of the things and places she has learned about in class. Her favorite piece is Exultate because it sounds so amazing in the big resonant churches!
She loves traveling and to be able to travel and sing with her friends is just a real treat. She is hoping our music leaves a lasting impact on at least one person.
“I just want everyone who helped contribute to this trip in any way to know how much they are appreciated and loved and how grateful we all are for this experience and opportunity!”
Dr. Karyl Carlson
Director of Choral activities
“My favorite piece of music is whichever one we’re performing. Every song has its own character, form and musical arch that it’s impossible to compare. Every time we perform there are different places that come to life in a different way because of the acoustics.
In planning this trip, I wanted to facilitate opportunities to perform in iconic venues, but also to learn and experience other cultures and languages. I didn’t have the opportunity to travel internationally until way after college, and I found it to be incredibly valuable and enlightening; I hope my students can take advantage of every opportunity for growth, learn tolerance, to work together, be responsible, and learn about other cultures. In the US we are overwhelmed with political rhetoric for US interests, but we need to be aware that we are not the center, and that other countries of the world—so many are so much older that the US—have different traditions and societal customs. The common factor is music, though! We participated in masses celebrated in three different languages! The impromptu concerts were tons of fun too, drawing big crowds. I love making a scene!
This kind of travel requires one to be flexible, congenial, and open. In spending so much time with a group of people, we get to know them well and have a greater appreciation for individual talents and characteristics. Musically, the experience of singing in the same places where historic musical figures composed and performed helps make connections to academic material.
I hope that everyone gets bit by the travel bug! It’s always great to go away, and equally great to come home, making one appreciate family and friends even more.”
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