Choral Arts embrace new culture and language before trip to Spain

A man is struggling with his three loves – the beautiful Inéz, a slice of ham, and eggplant with cheese. Essentially, Inéz is difficult to deal with but he loves her cooking.

This is the translated story of a song performed by Choral Arts at their Spanish Nights concerts March 31 and April 1. It will also be performed again in Spain this spring.

Choral Arts will be touring southern Spain from May 23 to June 1. They will be performing in various churches and cathedrals in Malaga, Granada, Cordoba and Seville. Their repertoire includes traditional Spanish pieces from the Renaissance, as well as American pieces, such as jazz and spirituals.

“Spain is interesting culturally, as it was an area in which people from many different cultures lived in harmony, which will show in the music,” said Steven Sametz, a professor of music and the director of choral activities.

Sametz said touring, which the choir does at an international level every two years, gives students a deeper appreciation of the pieces they are performing. They will be performing songs in the cities, and possibly the churches, in which they were written.

“When we went to Italy we performed Monteverdi in a cathedral 20 feet from where he was buried,” tour manager Chris Palmer, ’17, said. “It gives you such a different perspective of the pieces you’re singing.”

University Choir manager Sarah Dudney, ’17, said she is looking forward to embracing diversity by taking part in Spain’s culture and showering American culture, too, through music. She is also looking forward to spending time with other Choral Arts members because it gives them a chance to bond in a new setting.

Choral Arts has been touring internationally for the past few decades. Upperclassmen traveled to Italy two years ago and will be able to experience performing in Europe once again. This will be the first time the class of 2019 and 2020 performs together abroad.

“I’m really excited for the younger students to get to experience singing in a different environment,” Madison Schenker, ’18, said. “These trips help people fall in love with choir.”

While students are excited to experience touring abroad, learning a new language is a barrier that can cause complications.

“It’s hard learning another language,” Dudney said. “It’s difficult to sing in Spanish, especially when it’s not how you hear your friend’s speak (Spanish).”

Sametz said the tour group will include four university groups: University Choir, Dolce, Men’s Glee club and Choral Union. Alumni are also welcome to participate. Sametz said alumni love telling stories from their era and students find it interesting.

Palmer said about 20 alumni will be traveling and performing with them, including an alum from the class of 1963. He said alumni help keep the choral arts community strong by continually showing their support years after they graduate.

The community helps foster inter-generational bonds through its love of music. Palmer is hoping many alumni return next year as Choral Arts will celebrate its 150th year at Lehigh.

Dudney said President John Simon will also be showing his support by attending the concert in Grenada.

Palmer has been planning the tour since May 2016. The total cost of touring per person is $3,500. Money is raised through a concert series choir hosts twice a semester. They also held a “phone-athon” where they called choir alumni asking for donations.

Schenker said an anonymous donor matched the amount the choir raised.

“No one is rejected for not being able to afford to go (on tour),” Schenker said.

Almost every member of choir will be traveling to Spain in May.

Before it leaves for tour, University Choir will host a concert with Joyful Noise, a special needs choir from New Jersey, on May 4-5. Lehigh recently recognized University Choir for its work with Joyful Noise.