[ad_1]
The Florida A&M University Concert Choir has been serenading listeners in Vienna, Austria these past few days during a performance tour in the European capital city.
The choir’s 41 student members were invited to be a part of the 2023 Festival Tour of Vienna Sings, which is a choral festival, and FAMU senior Skylar Mobley says the experience has been “amazing.”
“It’s been nice to learn about the history first-hand and experience the culture for ourselves,” said 20-year-old Mobley, a Fort Pierce native majoring in cardiopulmonary science. “It’s very easy to understand why Vienna is known as the “City of Music.”
Other FAMU news:‘Momentous occasion’: FAMU buys credit union building for student, health career training
The Concert Choir — which flew out of the country Wednesday, made a stop in Germany before arriving to Austria and will be returning Monday evening — performed at the Historic Melk Abbey Church, The Schonbrum Palace, the Vienna City Festival and the Vienna Senior Living Facility.
The international tour also comes a year and a half after FAMU’s “incomparable” Marching 100 Band performed in Paris, France in 2022 for the Louis Vuitton Men’s Fashion Show, where they played in front of celebrities such as rapper Kendrick Lamar, model Naomi Campbell and fashion designer Jerry Lorenzo.
More:Mighty Rattlers: FAMU Marching 100 performs in Paris for celebs, fashionistas
Established in the 1930s, the FAMU Concert Choir is generally recognized as one of the premier collegiate vocal ensembles in the nation.
Past performances have included selections at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., as well as collaborations with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra.
The group was also the first ever concert choir to sing the Black National Anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing” at a National Football League game in September 2021.
FAMU Concert Choir in the headlines:FAMU Concert Choir to make NFL history with performance of ‘Lift Every Voice’ in Tampa
FAMU Director of Choral Activities Mark Butler is leading the choir during the Austria trip, accompanied by College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities Dean Valencia Matthews, Concert Choir Accompanist Professor Joanna Sobkowska and other faculty and staff.
Butler says the trip abroad is a “wonderful and well-deserved opportunity.”
“This is one of the finest music ensembles on campus, with hard working young people who sing extremely fine repertoire of choral literature that branch so many genres and styles,” said Butler, also a FAMU music professor, in a university release.
In 2019 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the choir was scheduled for a debut performance in New York City’s world-renowned Carnegie Hall, which was canceled for health and safety measures.
But the five-day Austria trip outside of the country made up for the inconvenience.
“I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to share my talents with the people of Vienna, Austria,” said 20-year-old Madison McCalla, a FAMU sophomore and West Palm Beach, Florida native majoring in pre-physical therapy. “I am truly blessed to have experienced a different climate, food and culture.”
She added: “I’m especially glad that I was able to share this experience with my Concert Choir family.”
Contact Tarah Jean at tjean@tallahassee.com or follow her on X: @tarahjean_.
[ad_2]
Source link
