Germany, Austria destinations bolster learning, performance and cultural experiences
McGRATHPR.com – The Boys’ Choir of Saint Paul’s Choir School | Harvard Square announces plans to travel abroad next month for a European performance tour. The Choir, formed in the true European chorister tradition, will tour and performs in iconic, historic destinations in Munich, Regensburg and Köln, Germany, as well as Salzburg, Austria during a 10-day itinerary, including academic and cultural exploration that support St. Paul’s Choir School’s educational model. The Choir is directed by Saint Paul’s Choir School (SPCS) Director of Music and Conductor James Kennerley, accompanied by Assistant Director of Music Maks Adach, organ.
On its first tour in this region, The Boys’ Choir performs repertoire in parallel to its destinations abroad, featuring selections by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (with a performance in his birthplace of Salzburg), Orlando di Lasso (who settled in Munich), and more performed by the choristers either acappella or with organ accompaniment.
The Boys’ Choir of St. Paul’s, currently comprised of 29 boys ranging from ages 9 to 14, in grades 3 through 8 at St. Paul’s Choir School, will travel through two countries accompanied by 18 chaperones. Most recently, the choristers traveled to Washington D.C. at the invitation of Cardinal Sean O’Malley to perform at the Sacred Heart Shrine and at Catholic University’s St. Vincent de Paul Chapel. On a prior international tour, the Choir visited Mexico, where it performed at the largest basilica in the Americas, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and at San Josemaría Escrivá Church, both in Mexico City.
The Boys’ Choir of St. Paul’s school curriculum is currently exploring the history and music of Germany and Austria, much of which the choristers will encounter and perform during their travels. Visiting this historic European heartland, the students will walk in the footsteps of those they study and perform – Bach, Beethoven, Handel, Mendelssohn and Mozart, among others. The lifeblood of the curriculum is rooted in these composers’ classical and liturgical masterpieces. The opportunity to visit this worldly history in person ignites the schooling of each student, and manifests the legacy they are taught through the school’s mission.
During this tour, the Choir performs at Cathedral Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche) in Munich, a Vespers services in affiliation with the Regensburg Boys’ Choir at Regensburger Domspatzen in Regensburg, at historic Salzburg Cathedral in Salzburg, Austria. The group returns to Germany for final performances at the Church of the Holy Ghost (Heilig Geist Kirche) in Munich, and at a High Mass at Cologne Cathedral in Köln. Academic and cultural activities on the itinerary include a walking tour of Munich, a tour of Regensburg Cathedral, a day with fellow choristers at Regensburg Domspatzen Choir School, city tour of Salzburg (including a visit to Mozart’s home and historic sites relevant to The Sound of Music film), visiting Neuschwanstein Castle, Marienbrücke Bridge, Ulm Münster, Würzburg Palace, and Steiff Museum. Each destination holds particular merit to the choristers’ education, as they sing through the canon of German masterworks, and some grades currently studying medieval European history, specifically Charlemagne and the importance of Aachen, Germany to the Holy Roman Empire.
Saint Paul’s Choir School’s world-class music program is built on a foundation of the choral masterwork canon, training all students in choral music appreciation, theory, practice and performance, and the mastery of piano and organ. They sing music ranging from Gregorian chant to contemporary commissions for the choir. A demanding and thorough music theory course is taught using the internationally acclaimed materials of the ABRSM. As the boys continue through the school and their voices change, a Choral Studies course teaches them about conducting, composition, and choir training. The choir has performed alongside such renowned ensembles at the Boston Symphony Orchestra, provides beautiful liturgical music at Saint Paul’s Church and have released the professionally recorded albums Ave Maria and Christmas in Harvard Square (by Aim Higher Recordings, available at saintpaulschoirschool.us).
Founded in 1963, Saint Paul’s Choir School prepares boys in grades 3 through 8 to succeed in the strongest secondary schools, become confident and virtuous leaders, and grow into compassionate, caring adults. Embracing the great cathedral school model, SPCS unites a rigorous academic and musical curriculum rooted in the Roman Catholic moral tradition. Within this community of faith, friendship and high expectations, students move through critical developmental periods in their transition from children to men. Over time they build the habits of mind and heart to rise to all of life’s demands and thrive in a world characterized by constant change.
Internationally recognized organist, vocalist and Director of Music James Kennerley, conductor, is rooted in the English choir school tradition, having sung as a chorister under Graham Elliott and Barry Rose at Chelmsford Cathedral. He later served as Organ Scholar at Jesus College, Cambridge, and at Saint Paul’s Cathedral, London. Most recently he served as Music Director at three influential Episcopal churches in the United States. Additionally, he has provided professional leadership as Dean of the New York City Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and as Director of the New Jersey State Children’s Chorus.
European Tour Performance Schedule:
Sun., February 16, 5:30 pm
Evening Mass, Frauenkirche (Cathedral Church of Our Lady), Frauenplatz 12, Munich, Germany, muenchner-dom.de/home
Tues., February 18, 5:15 pm
Vespers, with Regensburger Domspatzen (Regensburg Boys’ Choir), New Chapel, Reichsstrasse 22, Regensburg, Germany, domspatzen.de/de/start.html
Weds., February 19, 12.30 pm
Performance in Salzburg Cathedral, Domplatz 1a, 5020 Salzburg, Austria, salzburger-dom.at/home
Thurs., February 20, 7:30 pm
Concert, Heilig Geist Kirche (Church of the Holy Ghost), Prälat-Miller-Weg 1, Munich, Germany
Admission is free, donations gratefully appreciated, heilig-geist-muenchen.de/
Sun., February 23, 10:00 am
High Mass at Cologne Cathedral, Domkloster 4, 50667, Köln, Germany, koelner-dom.de/homepage
To learn more about Saint Paul’s Choir School enrollment, curriculum, programs and performances, visit saintpaulschoirschool.us, call 617-868-8658, or email admin@saintpaulschoirschool.us, or follow St. Paul’s Choir School Harvard Square on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
About Saint Paul’s Choir School
Saint Paul’s Choir School (SPCS) is the only private all-boys Catholic Choir School in the United States, serving students in grades 3 through 8. Founded in 1963 by Dr. Theodore Marier, SPCS is a vital facet of Saint Paul’s Parish in Harvard Square, Cambridge, led by Father William Kelly, Pastor, an alumnus of the school himself.
Dedicated to providing rigorous academic training and an extensive and unique education in music and liturgy, SPCS accepts musically talented and academically qualified boys ages nine through fourteen for full-time study. Students commute locally from communities in the Metro-Boston region. Together with committed parents and inspirational teachers, SPCS endeavors to form the faith, character, and intellectual and musical abilities of young men, preparing them for the strongest secondary schools, and equipping them to become virtuous adult leaders.
Uniquely integrated with music study, the school’s diverse academic offerings aspire to give each student a strong foundation in basic skills and to provide diverse opportunities for enrichment. The positive influence derived from the study of music on other academics is clearly evident. Classes are small and motivation is high among both students and teachers, making for a lively, energetic and creative classroom environment.
To learn more about enrollment, curriculum, programs and performances, visit saintpaulschoirschool.us, call 617-868-8658, or email admin@saintpaulschoirschool.us, or follow St. Paul’s Choir School Harvard Square on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
