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Credit: Courtesy of John Floreen
Students in the Rutgers University
Chorus-Newark on their 2003 trip to
England. The chorus, accompanied by
director and conductor John Flooreen,
will leave May 19 for its fifth European
world tour.
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When the Rutgers University Chorus leaves the Newark campus in May to wing its way to Scotland, members will do more than traverse an ocean. As it has on each of its previous European tours, the chorus will use its performances to build bridges between its host country and the United States through its musical selections, according to conductor John Floreen, a professor of visual and performing arts. Floreen, as conductor and director, will lead the group through Scotland, assisted by a tour guide.
The Rutgers University Chorus-Newark campus will leave May 19 for its fifth European concert tour, giving a series of six performances, beginning with concerts in St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh and Stirling Castle, before returning home May 28. They will sing American folk music and spirituals, along with Scottish folk music and European classical choral music, allowing the chorus to share its rich and diverse American choral traditions with its Scottish audience, while recognizing Scotland’s musical heritage.
One of those performances will be part of the Falkirk Tryst Annual Festival of Music and Art, a major month-long cultural event in Falkirk. The chorus also will perform a benefit concert at the Dunbar Parish Church to assist several local causes, and plans a joint concert with the Dunblane Cathedral Choir during its last stop in Dunblane.
Visits to local museums and historical attractions, a sailboat ride on Loch Katrina and a stop at Loch Lomond, as well as opportunities to socialize with local residents, will round out the visit. “We want the tour to be a cultural and learning experience, as well as a musical one,” Floreen said.
The trip is financed primarily by chorus members, concert ticket sales, donations and some support from Rutgers-Newark; however, gifts to defray the tour’s costs are welcome. Checks payable to the Rutgers University Chorus-Newark should be sent to John Floreen, Rutgers Department of Visual and Performing Arts, Room 245, Bradley Hall, Newark campus.
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