The Shrine of Ages Choir and Wind Symphony will soon embark on their international tours.
The Shrine of Ages Choir leaves for a two-week tour of New Zealand and Australia on May 16. The Wind Symphony leaves for a 10-day tour of northern Germany on May 17.
“This is a great way to expose our students to new cultures,” said Edith Copley, director of choral studies. “We also get to take NAU’s presence to other places.”
The 50 students in the Shrine of Ages Choir will be performing pieces by Wilberg, Bach, and Poulenc as well as pieces from Indonesian composer Budi Susanto Yohanes and Auckland composer Wehi Whanau. Nineteen members from the Master Chorale of Flagstaff will join the choir to perform folk and gospel music from America.
The NAU Wind Symphony, directed by Daniel Schmidt, will be performing all German and American pieces, including Symphonic Metamorphosis, by Paul Hindemith.
“The students are really looking forward to this great opportunity, as they’ve worked toward this goal for some time,” Schmidt said. “This trip will give them a better understanding of the artistic community worldwide.”
The Shrine of Ages Choir will have a pre-tour concert at 7:30 p.m May 4 in Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel, 16 W. Cherry Ave.
For information on the concert, call (928) 523-5190.