Shorter Chorale's Tour to Italy Includes Performances at The Vatican and St. Mark's Cathedral

The Shorter Chorale, Shorter College’s premiere performing ensemble, will make institutional history while touring Italy in May. Under the direction of Shorter alumna Dr. Martha Shaw, the choral ensemble will perform at five sites, including St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. They will sing Mass at the historic basilica, where the Pope often presides.

“This opportunity is the most prestigious invitation the Chorale has ever received,” according to Dr. Alan Wingard, dean of the School of the Arts.

Performing with the Chorale in Italy will be 43 Shorter College students, Choral Assistant Jean Goffaux, Professor of Music Dr. Peter DeWitt, Assistant Vice President of Institutional Planning and Research Dr. Patricia DeWitt, Assistant Professor of Music Dr. Matthew Hoch, and School of the Arts Administrative Assistant Mrs. Gina Hicks.

The 10-day tour will feature performances in select venues in Rome, Florence, Verona and Venice. The performances begin with a 6:45 p.m. (local time) concert on May 21 at St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice. At 8:45 p.m. on Thursday, May 22, the Chorale will present a joint concert with a local choir at the festival of Great Choral Concerts 2008 in Albaredo d’Adige, which is in the Verona area. At 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 24, the Chorale will perform at St. Maria di Ricci Church in Florence. Two performances are slated for Monday, May 26. At 5 p.m., the Chorale will sing Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. At 8:30 p.m., the Chorale will present a joint concert with the Sapienza University choir at Aula Magna, which is on the university campus.

The Shorter Chorale, founded in 1968, is widely regarded as one of the finest collegiate choral ensembles in the southeastern United States. In January 2007 the Chorale recorded its first professionally produced CD, A Savior From On High, which was released in late fall 2007. Proceeds from the sale of the CD helped fund the students’ trips to Italy.

The 2008 tour to Italy marks the Chorale’s triennial return to Europe. In 2005, the group toured the great cathedrals and churches of England with performances in Coventry Cathedral, Canterbury Cathedral, Christ Church, Oxford and Great St. Mary’s in Cambridge.

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