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DePauw Choir launches European tour with Friday concert
After an intense week of rehearsals and preparation, the DePauw University Choir kicks off its 2020 European tour to the Netherlands and Germany with a 7:30 p.m. concert Friday, Jan. 10 in the Great Hall of the Green Center for the Performing Arts.
The 60-minute a cappella program, conducted by Eric Schmidt, consists of reflections on the Lord’s Prayer, as some churches in Europe require sacred Christian music.
The centerpiece of the concert features British composer Richard Rodney Bennett’s “Missa Brevis,” which was written in New York City and combines musical elements from the “Old World” with harmonies of the “New World.”
Between Jan. 11–21, Schmidt, director of choral activities at DePauw, will lead the choir in a series of five concerts, accompanied by vocal coach Amanda Hopson. They will fly to Amsterdam in the Netherlands to explore the city for the day before rehearsals and performances begin.
The group will then travel to Germany to give its remaining performances in Osnabrück, Münster, Hamburg and Berlin. While in Osnabrück, they will combine with Osnabrück University’s choir for two pieces.
“Besides our own performances, we are going to attend two concerts in world-class houses – the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg and the Staatsoper Unter den Linden in Berlin,” says Schmidt. “In addition to that, we are going to explore the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, dive into the history of the Thirty Years’ War, climb into the catacombs of Berlin and visit the memorial of the former concentration camp, Sachsenhausen.”
Anticipation is high for Schmidt, as this trip is also personal for him.
“I am incredibly excited to show the students where I am from,” he added. “I went to high school in Münster and my parents still live there. I also studied music and math in Osnabrück for six years, so many of my friends and former professors will come to our concert there. I’m excited to give students the opportunity to meet and to perform with local music students from the University of Osnabrück.”
Junior Alex Phillips has been preparing for the trip since the beginning of the school year, rehearsing familiar pieces as well as learning new music.
“Dr. Schmidt has done an excellent job of preparing us for the tour by splitting rehearsal time between repertoire for Germany and upcoming concerts,” Phillips said. “I’m looking forward to returning to this music as we get ready to take off.
“It’s always exciting to see all of our practice and hard work come to fruition, and I’m sure it will be very rewarding when we get to Germany and perform,” she added.
The concert is free and open to the community. No tickets are needed.
For more information about DePauw School of Music events, visit music.depauw.edu or follow the School of Music on Facebook and Instagram @depauwmusic.