Over spring break, Bucknell’s University Choir embarked on a European tour, offering students the chance to perform in some of the continent’s most stunning and historically significant cathedrals.
The choir began their trip in Austria, first touring Salzburg, a city famous for its Baroque architecture and its ties to the movie “The Sound of Music.” The choir then had the opportunity to visit Vienna, famous for hosting classical musicians like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven. The choir ended their trip in Prague, Czech Republic, a city full of deep history and stunning architecture, making it a fantastic final destination for the University Choir. This ‘spring tour’ gave the group the opportunity to share their music with international audiences, while also deepening their appreciation for the rich musical heritage of both Austria and the Czech Republic.
For all 38 students who attended the tour, this trip was an opportunity to not only explore new parts of the world but also to perform in extremely well-known churches. The Salzburg Dom was formally built in the 17th century and was also the baptism site of Mozart. The Minoritenkirche in Vienna was built around the 13th and 14th centuries. St. Stephen’s Cathedral, also in Vienna, has a history dating back to the 12th century, making parts of the cathedral nearly a millennium old. Finally, the choir performed in St. Nicholas church in Prague. One of two St. Nicholas churches in the city, it is known as the most famous Baroque-style church in Prague. All of these churches boast an extremely rich and vibrant history, making the University Choir’s experiences even more special.
The history of the churches was impressive, and so was the choir. The group’s repertoire included, but was not limited to: “Sanctus” and “Agnus Dei” from Frank Martin’s mass for double choir, “Listen to the Lambs” by Robert Nathaniel Dett and “I’ve Been in the Storm So Long” by Jeffrey L. Ames, soloed by Molly Malaby ’25 and Molly Manhoff ’25. Having prepared this music for months prior to the trip, the choir executed the challenging scores extremely well, which was reflected in the resounding applause they received after each consecutive performance. Tickets were sold and advertised by each individual church, allowing residents of each city to come and listen to the choir perform.
Macey Webber ’27 noted how special the trip was, saying, “For me, it was mind-boggling to see how big our audiences were, especially in churches like the ones in Prague and Vienna. To see the citizens of each of the respective cities be present, filling every single pew and chair in the cathedral was so special and very fulfilling.”
She’s not alone. For many of the students on the trip, seeing how many locals came to listen to them sing was really special. Webber also noted about the ‘fans’ the choir gathered throughout the trip: “We had one woman who saw us sing in Salzburg, who also happened to be from Vienna. When she heard that we were going to be performing again in Vienna, she came to support us and brought her friend! It was awesome to have that experience of someone really loving our music.”
The tour would not have been possible without the person who organized it, Assistant Professor of Music, Dr. Caleb Hopkins. Dr. Hopkins is also the head of choral activities and the Rooke Chapel Director of Music. Assisting him on the tour were Dr. Ryan Malone, Associate Professor and recently appointed Music Department Chair, and Dr. Jen Nguyen, Assistant Professor of Philosophy.
In addition to performing, the group also got the opportunity to have some fun and explore the cities they were visiting. Some of the notable highlights of the tour include walking tours of Salzburg, Vienna and Prague, visiting Melk Abbey near Vienna, as well as Beethoven’s house in Vienna. The group also got the opportunity to explore the Lobkowicz Palace in Prague, a significant cultural center for the city of Prague.
Even more importantly, the tour was an opportunity for students in the choir to connect with each other deeper and form new friendships. For Anna Marie Wingard ’25, this trip had meant a lot to her after spending four years in choir. She shared, “Choir tour allowed me to get so much closer with my friends. Going into this trip, I already got along with them really well, but the opportunity to explore new places and spend so much time together really allowed me to connect with them on a deeper level. We made so many great memories together, and I’ll never forget how much fun I had with them!” Wingard, who is now in her eighth semester with the choir, also noted how close the group as a whole had become because of the trip, creating new bonds that will ultimately strengthen their overall sound.
Thanks to the organizational efforts of the Bucknell Music Department, particularly Dr. Caleb Hopkins, a large group of Bucknellians got to experience a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Cities like Salzburg, Vienna and Prague hold such a rich musical history, making this trip extremely unique for this group. The overall success of the trip is entirely a reflection of the talent of the choir and its director, pointing towards an extremely bright future for the University Choir and music at Bucknell.
