Does eight days touring some of the most famous and spectacular sights in Eastern Europe sound like a dream come true to you?
For the Fairfield Glee Club, this is not a dream; it is a reality. On Feb. 29, the Fairfield Glee Club will jet set across the “pond” for an unforgettable week of performances and sightseeing in Eastern Europe.
“I can’t believe it’s coming up so fast,” said Jen Martin ’10, a two-year veteran of the Glee Club who has performed with the club in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.
While in Europe, the group will sing at various locations, including St. Ignatius Church in Prague, Czech Republic; the Minoritenkirche (Minorite Church) and the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Vienna, Austria; and Waldorf School in Budapest, Hungary.
“I think it’s really great to have the experience to perform in some of the most historical and beautiful buildings,” said Martin.
Led by its director, Carole Ann Maxwell, the Glee Club will perform various musical pieces including Fairfield’s Alma Mater and the timeless “Viva la Musica” by Ivan Erod. Many of the songs they plan to sing in the churches are spiritual, such as “Lord Don’t Move the Mountain,” arranged by Clayton White.
Soloists and smaller Fairfield ensembles such as the Men’s Ensemble and Sweet Harmony (the women’s ensemble) will have featured roles as well.
Brittany Hill ’10, who will perform two solos, said she is honored to be part of the trip.
“This will be a truly enriching experience for me, and what makes it even better is that we get to visit three countries instead of just one,” said Hill.
Eighty-five singers, alumni and family members will depart from the United States on Feb. 29, arriving approximately 14 hours later in Prague.
Glee Club President Caitlin Moroney ’08, who visited Italy with the Glee Club in 2006, said that the Glee Club tries to travel each semester and plan an international trip every two years.
“The fact that we get to sing in places like Prague, Vienna and Budapest, which I would never have imagined myself going to in the first place, is so great,” said Moroney.
The group will also have free time to tour famous landmarks, including St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna and the Old Royal Palace in Prague.
World Cultural Tours – the company that organized the Glee Club’s trip to Italy two years ago – is planning this year’s tour as well.
Moroney said that the company books flights, guided tours, hotels and sightseeing ventures. It also helps the club to choose and register at concert venues.
“Traveling abroad should be an experience that everyone should have, so the Glee Club being able to sing abroad is great,” said Moroney. “We’re so happy that Fairfield allows us to do it.”
Martin agreed.
“I think it gives us an opportunity to reach out beyond our campus.”
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