Choir Travels to Florida for Annual Concert Tour
Before traveling south for its annual Spring Break Tour, the Alma College Choir will perform a preview concert at home, singing a variety of music from religious hymns to folk songs.
The concert takes place at 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24th in the Remick Heritage Center, Presbyterian Hall. Admission is free and open to the public; no ticket is required.
Songs include classics, such as “Hallelujah, Amen” and “With a Voice of Singing,” a dedication piece to the patron saint of musicians; “A Hymn to St. Cecelia” composed by Benjamin Britten; and a song from South Africa titled “Horizons,” which speaks about subjugation of the indigenous population by European armies.
Members of the Alma College Choir
“And, as always, the concert will include several of the Scottish folk songs for which the Alma Choir is famous,” says Will Nichols, choir director.
The Alma College Choir does a concert tour every spring break. This year’s tour takes place in the sunny south of Florida, in such cities as Bradenton, Sarasota, Naples, The Villages and Dunedin.
“Last year the Choir sang in exciting spots all across northern Illinois and Michigan,” says Nichols with a smile. “This year, however, the choir is being forced to spend the week in Florida. Still, morale in the Choir has been quite good as they make the most of the situation.”
Jackson senior Donald Best has traveled with the Choir before and says there are many things he likes about the annual tour.
“The best part about traveling with the Alma Choir is being able to go and sing in different cities across the United States and being able to share our talents with others,” says Best. “It is also great to get to know fellow choir members and develop the bonds and memories that will last a lifetime.”
Mackinaw City junior Brett Yzquierdo also looks forward to travelling with the Choir.
“I'm really stoked about getting to go to Florida because I have family in Florida whom I rarely get to see that will get to hear me sing for the first time,” he says. “I'm really excited about that. “
Another special moment will happen when the Choir stops to sing at the middle school in Holiday, Florida. Three Alma College (and Alma Choir) alumni — Kyle Ritsema '05, Rebecca Monsour '04 and Carrie Grace '07 — teach at the school. They invited the current Alma students to stop by to meet, and sing for, their young students.
“The middle school principal has said he is ready to interview any other Alma Choir alums because they are proven to be such great teachers,” says Nichols.
The preview concert at Alma College on Feb. 24 offers a “cool musical experience,” says Yzquierdo. “This is a great concert to attend because there is something for everyone,” he says.
Posted: Wed, February 16th, 2011 at 2:01PM
