Choral Music by

Triumph For Singers in Germany

The Wells College Chamber Singers had a very successful concert trip to Germany last August, winning enthusiastic responses from audiences and rave reviews from critics. The fifteen student singers, conducted by Professor Crawford R. Thoburn, spent ten days in Germany participating in the International Youth Music Festival held in Bad Arolsen. Professor Thoburn's wife, Karen A. Hindenlang, director of music at St. Joseph's School in Auburn, New York, also went on the trip and served as accompanist as well as a singer with the group.

"It was a wonderful opportunity. Our students not only performed, they met students from other countries: Polish students, Siberian students, English students, and many others," said Crawford.

Afua Boahene '03, of DeWitt, New York, concurs. This was her first visit to a foreign country. By staying with a German family, she found herself immersed in a different culture; and the positive experience sparked a new interest in travel: "My host family was wonderful. They took care of everything, even providing me with snacks when I went to practice. My host father made sure I knew his home was my home. They were such warm people. I really enjoyed my stay."

Highlights of the chamber singers' trip included two concerts in one day at the Church of St. Boniface, prominently located at the top of an extinct volcano in Amoeneberg. In the morning, the singers performed for students at a prestigious private school, founded in 721 A.D. by St. Boniface. After a tour of nearby Marburg, led by the school's art history teacher, the Wells women gave a full concert in the evening to the entire community. Another memorable performance was given with other choral groups in a lovely Bad Arolsen church before a standing-room-only crowd.

The Chamber Singers have maintained a tradition of choral excellence since 1960, winning prizes in international competition, performing throughout the northeastern U.S., and singing by invitation for professional meetings of choral conductors and music educators. The performances in Germany featured a wide variety of compositions taken from the Renaissance through the 20th century, including American folk songs and works by American composers. Several of the selections were arranged or edited by Professor Thoburn.

"The rehearsals in the days before the festival were the most exciting I've had in years," said Crawford. "The students had been away from the music for several months, and they were obviously happy to be doing it again. I was particularly pleased that all the training they go through paid off. We did seven performances in six days. American choirs don't usually do things like that. We sang more than any other group."

Mary West '03 of Chichester, New Hampshire, said, "I gained confidence in my singing ability because I knew the group was dependent on me, as it is on each of its members, to perform well and make America proud to have sent us as representatives to this international music festival."

Professor of German Waltraut Deinert played a key role in organizing the trip and in attending to managerial details in Germany. She also created an exchange agreement that brought the award-winning " Smoke Revival Orchestra" of Bad Arolsen to Wells for a residency and performance in October. Many of the members of the band had hosted Wells students in August, so it was a joyful reunion for many of the Chamber Singers and their German friends.

The Chamber Singers are thankful for the financial support they received from the Dean of the College, the Collegiate Association, and the large number of Concert Choir alumnae who had donated generously to a fund for sponsoring Choir travel.

A digitally mastered CD is being produced which will include recordings of the Chamber Singers made in Germany. It will be available from the College Bookstore for a cost of $14.00 (includes shipping charge). New York State residents please add the 8% sales tax (total cost $15.12). All profits from this venture will benefit the Choir Travel Fund. Send order to: Book Shop, Smith Hall, Wells College, Aurora, New York 13026 (315.364.3261; bookshop@wells.edu.

As Jane Marsh Dieckmann '55 points out in Wells College: A History, singing and singing groups are a defining presence in college tradition. This recent success in Europe is an indication the legacy will continue and enrich more lives. "I feel singing brings together students who have varying interests and who might not have any other opportunity to get to know each other," said Mary West. "It also enhances the pride of Wells students in their school - to know we are one of the best in the area of performing arts."