Twenty-two students from Eastern Connecticut State University’s Chamber Singers and Opera Workshop ensembles performed in a spring tour March 12–17. Led by music professors David Belles, Emily Riggs and David Ballena, students traveled to Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington D.C., where they performed in multiple venues and participated in workshops, sightseeing and team-building exercises.

The tour’s performance repertoire consisted of choral, opera and solo works. The choir highlighted compositions of Schubert, Mendelssohn and Brahms, and members of Opera Workshop presented solos and duets from opera and musical theatre literature.

The first location the students journeyed to was Lancaster, PA, where they performed at the Zion Evangelical East Petersburg Lutheran Church. At the second location, students visited Mount Saint Mary University in Emmitsburg, MD, where they got the chance to work on their singing techniques, artistic expression and more alongside host university professor and director of choral activities Andrew Rosenfeld.

The next destination of the tour was Camp Alkulana, a summer camp and retreat center located in Millsboro Springs, VA. They also took a special detour to visit the historical monuments in the nation’s capital.

“The students worked incredibly hard this entire academic year to prepare and present a program for this first spring tour since COVID-19 made travel impossible,” said Belles. “We had the opportunity to present concerts and partake in workshops in Lancaster and Emmitsburg. In addition, students got to spend valuable time together in a less formal setting to develop team-building skills that are essential when working as an ensemble. All but six graduating singers will carry forward this experience throughout the rest of their time in the voice area at Eastern.”