The University of Central Arkansas Chamber Choir has embarked on a nine-day concert tour of France.
The 31-member choir, under the direction of John Erwin, will perform in the Orleans Cathedral, the Protestant Temple in Nantes, the Chartres Cathedral, and the church of St. Germaine-des-Pres in Paris before returning to the United States on May 19.
“This concert tour to France will give UCA international recognition and speak to the quality of our artistic efforts at UCA, Conway, and Arkansas,” said Erwin, associate professor and director of choral activities at UCA. “Singing in the most important venues in the area will bring renown and honor to our institution.”
But the greatest impact of the tour will be on his students.
“One of the most important reasons for concert tours to countries of other cultures is the dramatic change it brings to each student’s perspective of the world, in this case France,” he said. “The rich and diverse cultural history of France and the importance it has played in the affairs of western civilization is truly remarkable. This fact is made more real as each singer moves among the ruins and experiences the ambiance of French life today.
“As musicians singing great music in the magnificent Cathedrals of Orleans and Chartres, their experience will be heightened. My students’ world view will forever be changed and their perspective broadened beyond belief.”
Erwin’s choirs have toured throughout the United States and Europe. Under his direction, the Concert Choir has competed and won two gold medals in the Riva del Garda International Competition, was invited to sing at the 400th anniversary of the death of Giovanni Palestrina in Palestrina, Italy, was the Grand National Winner of the Great American Choral Festival, and has sung for several national conventions.
The Chamber Choir toured Italy in 2004 and ’07.
This year’s group includes Sarah Cain of Jonesboro, Amanda Johnson of Dover, Ben Hill of Springdale, Will King of Fort Smith, B.J. Webster of Little Rock, Ashleigh Castles of Greenbrier, Chris Caldwell of Marion, Jeremy Morris of Bentonville, Claire Desrochers of Conway, Nicole Swaim of Batesville, Sean Ransonette of Bentonville, Matt Farr of Sherwood, Lauren Dickey of Conway, Claire Vann of Jacksonville, Brent Gunnels of Springdale, Noel Camara of Conway, Annie Stevens of Vilonia, Kathaleene Meacham of Brinkley, Jordan Bennett of Nettleton, Taylor Schmidt of Fort Smith, Emma Ockerman of Bentonville, Sally Hughes of Little Rock, Patrick Gaines of Cabot, Sam Prescott of Monticello, Emily Richison of Russellville, Kyle Looney of Little Rock, Amanda Thomas of Bentonville, Evan Nesbitt of Little Rock, Lauren Dickinson of Bentonville, Mary Beth Hill of Springdale and Taylor Gates of Paris, Texas.
Erwin, who in 1975 brought to UCA the Madrigal Feaste, which draws crowds from all over Arkansas and surrounding states, is active nationally as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator.
