ConcerT Chorale Trip

Written by Sebastian Pares

The University of Sioux Falls (USF) Concert Chorale, consisting of 60 members, took their annual tour this year, a six-day tour of Florida from March 4-9, 2023. The purpose of the tour was to provide opportunities for the students to connect with constituents and prospective students, performing in churches, schools, and participating in service projects. The choir tours annually, domestically in odd years, and internationally in even years.

The USF Concert Chorale has a full academic year commitment, typically throughout a student’s college career. The choir rehearses weekdays from 2-3 pm, and members began preparing for the music for this particular tour on August 24, 2022. Portions of the tour repertoire were performed during events leading up to the trip, including the Homecoming Chapel, USF Sunday, Fall Concerts, Christmas at USF, and the Spring Concert. During the trip, the students contributed music to worship services in Our Lady Star of the Sea in New Smyrna Beach and Trinity Lutheran in Bradenton. They also performed in concerts at Our Lady Star of the Sea and the Water’s Edge Retirement Community in Bradenton. The choir had a performance and workshop with high school students at Venice High School in Venice and Bradenton Christian High School in Bradenton. Additionally, they participated in a service project by organizing warehouse donations for United Way to support hurricane relief in Ft. Myers.

The students had several opportunities for team bonding activities during the tour. Concert Chorale Council members, student-elected officers, and director-appointed section leaders led “count-down” activities during daily rehearsals in February leading up to the departure date. These council members presented components of the itinerary by projecting slideshows, videos, and photographs of the tour destinations and anticipated activities while on tour, complete with trivia questions and prizes.

The USF Concert Chorale members are some of the University’s greatest ambassadors, and the choir’s itinerary highlights showcase their musical talent and dedication. The repertoire performed during the tour included three settings of “Alleluia” and three hymn settings, along with a Psalm setting performed by Singing Camerata, a select group of members. They also performed songs of praise and worship, including “Gloria” by Randol Alan Bass, “O Vos Omnes” by Pablo Casals, “John the Revelator” arranged by Paul Caldwell and Sean Ivory, and “Peace I Leave with You” by Knut Nystedt.

The USF Concert Chorale’s annual tour provides opportunities for students to showcase their musical talents while bonding with their peers and giving back to communities.