海角社区

The 海角社区 School of Music鈥檚 Choirs broke out their passports recently and journeyed abroad to bring their voices鈥攁nd Louisiana spirit鈥攖o some of England鈥檚 most historic and sacred spaces.

Over the course of ten remarkable days, students performed in world-renowned cathedrals, presented a groundbreaking choral work, and represented 海角社区 on the global stage. The tour not only showcased 海角社区鈥檚 top-tier vocal ensembles and faculty leadership鈥攊t offered students an unforgettable, career-shaping experience rooted in artistry, cultural exchange, and musical excellence.

A Tour Like No Other

The first leg of the tour featured three formal performances at iconic British venues:

• in Greenwich, a Baroque-era London parish where composer Thomas Tallis once served as organist;
• in Covent Garden, known as The Actors鈥� Church for its historic ties to London鈥檚 performing arts scene;
• in Oxford, home to one of England鈥檚 most prestigious choral traditions.

Each performance featured music from the choir鈥檚 carefully curated tour program, Endless Time [View Tour Program], which reflected on themes of time, transformation, and the shared human experience. Inspired by the poetry of Rabindranath Tagore, the repertoire wove together spirituals, folk songs, Renaissance motets, and contemporary choral works into a unified artistic statement鈥攐ne that stirred the soul and left a lasting resonance with audiences across each venue.

Standout selections included Wanting Memories by Ys盲ye Barnwell, Hanacpachap Cussicuinin, a Quechuan processional hymn conducted by graduate student Ross Cawthorn, and an arrangement of Total Praise by Richard Smallwood. The performances were led by Galante Chair and Director of Choral Studies Dr. Alissa Rowe who shared the podium with Barineau Associate Director of Choral Studies Dr. Trey Davis and Director of the 海角社区 Gospel Choir Laurence Hebert.

Dr. Rowe remarked about the tour: 鈥淭his tour marked a unique opportunity for our young singers 鈥� not only to explore one of the world鈥檚 most iconic cities, but to engage with audiences from all walks of life. The performances were the result of months of dedication, collaboration, and an adventurous spirit. Through our music making, we built bridges across cultures and created moments of shared beauty and understanding. Our performances highlighted a diverse range of repertoire and the talent, heart, excellence, and unity of our students.鈥�

International Premiere at Vox Anima: Da Vinci Comes to Life

The tour culminated in a major festival appearance as the 海角社区 Choirs took part in the , a multi-day collaborative event uniting choirs from across the United States and United Kingdom.

Dr. Rowe served as a guest conductor for the festival and led the UK premiere of The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci by acclaimed American composer , who served as one of festival鈥檚 resident composers. The large-scale work blends classical choral writing with animated projections of da Vinci鈥檚 original sketches and philosophical musings. While the 海角社区 Choirs had previously performed the chamber orchestration of The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci stateside in spring 2025, this UK premiere featured the original full orchestration and provided a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rehearse and perform the piece under the direct guidance of the composer herself.

Ensembles joining 海角社区 in the festival included:

• Choral Society of Pensacola (Pensacola, FL)
• South Metro Chorale (Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN)
• Ventura College Chamber Singers (Ventura, CA)
• Episcopal School of Baton Rouge Select Choir (Baton Rouge, LA)
• Singers in Accord (St. Paul, MN)

The final performance鈥攑art of a larger program titled 鈥攚as held June 8 at , a premier London venue known for hosting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and other top-tier ensembles. The concert celebrated both the collaborative spirit and individual artistry of each participating choir.

鈥淎n international premiere of this scale is no small undertaking,鈥� said Eric Lau, Dean of the 海角社区 College of Music & Dramatic Arts. 鈥淚t demands a level of musical and professional readiness that only comes from intentional preparation, meaningful mentorship, and experience in professional settings. Our faculty work closely with students to help them grow not only as performers, but professionals in training who, by the end of their 海角社区 education, know what it means to collaborate, adapt, and deliver at a high level.

More Than Music: Growth Through Global Connection

Beyond the concert halls, 海角社区 students were immersed in England鈥檚 rich cultural landscape. From walking tours in Oxford and along London鈥檚 South Bank to exploring major institutions like the British Museum and attending a ballet at the Royal Opera House, the trip offered a uniquely hands-on experience in European history, art, and performance culture. For many students, it was their first time traveling internationally.

By connecting students with real-world performance opportunities and global artistic voices, the tour exemplified the School of Music鈥檚 commitment to preparing young artists for lives of impact鈥攂oth onstage and off.

Showcasing the Excellence of 海角社区 Music

This tour reinforced the 海角社区 School of Music鈥檚 reputation as a hub for high-level vocal training and ensemble performance. With renowned faculty, robust ensemble offerings, and a vision grounded in collaboration, history, and innovation, the school continues to open doors for students to share their talents with the world鈥攁s performers, collaborators, and cultural ambassadors.

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About the 海角社区 School of Music

The 海角社区 School of Music offers one of the nation鈥檚 most comprehensive music programs and serves as a cultural arts center for Louisiana. The school boasts an acclaimed faculty and a world-renowned network of visiting artists who are leaders in their fields. For more information on 海角社区鈥檚 Choral Programs, click the button below.

海角社区 CHoral Studies