Chamber Singers - Round 3

I introduce you to five new Chamber Singers.....

Courtney Gasner-White
Class Year:  2014
Major:  Undecided
Vocal Part:  Alto

What has been your favorite experience in Italy?


Really enjoyed visiting the ancient Roman sites, and seeing how people lived and witnessing their culture and architecture.

Jeff Thomas
Class Year:  2012
Major:  Computer Science
Vocal Part:  Baritone

What has been your favorite experience in Italy?


I have really enjoyed taking in this beautiful city.  I really enjoyed seeing the Trevi Fountain and the Coliseum.

Heather Hurner
Class Year:  2014
Major:  Nuclear Medicine Technology
Vocal Part:  Alto

What are your favorite musical works that you are performing on tour?

Lagrime d'Amante al Sepolcro dell'Amata by Claudio Monteverdi and Preghiera Semplice by A. Eric Heukeshoven

Lydia Munroe
Class Year:  2014
Major:  Theatre Arts/Vocal Performance
Vocal Part:  Alto

What has been your favorite experience in Italy?

The sightseeing in Rome has been absolutely extraordinary.  I really enjoyed seeing the Roman Forum and experiencing the Roman Empire artifacts.

Alex Green
Class Year:  2014
Major:  Theatre Arts
Vocal Part:  Baritone

What has been your favorite experience in Italy?


I really enjoyed walking through the ancient Roman ruins. It was interesting to picture what it was like to live during the Roman empire.

This is the Day - Mass at Saint Peter's Basillica

Friday, March 11th, marked a very important day on the SMU Chamber Singers tour of Rome.  They had the wonderful honor of serving as guest choir at the 5:15 Mass at Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.  This great church stands as the spiritual home of the Roman Catholic Church.

During the day leading up to the Mass at Saint Peter's, the group had a free day to explore Rome.  It was an absolute beautiful day to discover all of Rome's greatness.

Below, you will see pics of the Chamber Singers at Saint Peter's.  As we were not able to take pictures during Mass, these pictures are from before and after the service.  I do plan on having an audio link on here of some of the music in a couple of days.

This service was very moving.  I know a few tears came to my eyes.  On this day I was so proud to be an alumnus of Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.  The SMU Chamber Singers sounded beautiful, and I am very proud of all those associated with this choir.

~Bob

                  The Chamber Singers enter the choir area in Saint Peter's Basilica

                  The Chamber Singers get adjusted to the choir area at Saint Peter's

           A look toward the front altar from the choir area in Saint Peter's Basilica

                                 The main altar at Saint Peter's Basilica

                            The Chamber Singers preparing before Mass

                        The Chamber Singers warming up in Saint Peter's

          After Mass, the Chamber Singers gather for a group shot in front of the altar

                       Another group shot where you can see the full altar


After Mass, the Chamber Singers went out a private side exit of the basilica to where the bus is located.  The bus was parked in a section of Vatican City where the public is not allowed.  The Chamber Singers were granted the opportunity to walk around for about 5-10 minutes to see this private area of the Vatican.

                       A shot of the area that is right behind Saint Peter's Basilica

              A group shot of the Chamber Singers in front of a palace which is
              located behind Saint Peter's

Palazzo della Rovere, Vatican Museum and Saint Peter's Basilica

The next part of the tour was a busy day.  We were received at the Palazzo della Rovere by the Order of the Holy Sepulchre.  Here a song (the piece that Dr. O'Shea wrote) was being dedicated to the Order and to Cardinal Foley.  The Cardinal was unable to receive us, but other dignataries from the order were there and gave us a tour of their beautiful space.  This palace is just a block away from Vatican City.  Can you say prime real estate.

            The Chamber Singers perform O Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem at the
            Palazzo della Rovere

After the visit at the Palazzo del Rovere the students had a short break for lunch and then it was on to the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter's Basilica.  We had a three-hour guided tour of these beautiful spaces.  Some pictures are attached, but not even the photos can describe the splendor that is in these venues.  Simply amazing!

            The dome of Saint Peter's Basilica from a courtyard within the Vatican
            Museums

              Bryan Moore and Katie Sapper pose for the camera in a Vatican Museum
              courtyard.

                                          Some of the Vatican gardens

                      Some students take in the view before continuing on with the
                      Vatican Museum tour

                   Tyler Ringeisen, Gabbi Langan, Courtney Ganser-White, Heather Hurner
                   and Jessica Ingvalson hang out by a fountain in a Vatican Museum
                   Courtyard.

                     Michelangelo's Pieta which is located in Saint Peter's Basilica

                            The main altar at Saint Peter's Basilica

Tour of the Generalate of the Christian Brothers

So, the Saint Mary's Chamber Singers are staying at Casa Lasalle.  This facility is connected to the Generalate or the "Motherhouse" of the Christian Brothers.  The group was given a nice tour of the main facility.  Here are a few pics from the tour.

        A model of the Generalate, which is in the main entrance of the facility

              The students listening to Br. John on the tour of the Generalate

               A very famous painting of Saint John Baptist de Lasalle.  This is the          
               original that hangs in a chapel inside the Generalate

               A portrait in the Generalate of Brother John Johnston, a former Superior
               General of the Christian Brothers and a Saint Mary's University of
               Minnesota alum

                       After the tour, Ulysses Isaola, Courtney Gasner-White, Kelsey
                       Brekke, and Heather Hurner gather for a photo

Meet your Chamber Singers, Round 2

Here is the second set of profiles.  I hope you enjoy!

Petey Brown
Class Year:  2013
Major:  Journalism/Public Relations
Vocal Part:  Tenor

What has been the favorite part of your trip to Rome?


Seeing the historic Roman sites like the Coliseum and the Forum.

Jessica Ingvalson
Class Year:  2013
Major:  Music Education/Music Performance
Vocal Part:  Alto

What is your favorite musical selection that you are performing on this tour?


Preghiera Semplice by A. Eric Heukeshoven

Katie Keck
Class Year:  2012
Major:  Biology/Pre-Physical Therapy
Vocal Part:  Soprano

What has been the favorite part of your trip to Rome?


When we went to visit the Vittoriano Monument (the monument that honors the unification of Italy).  We went to the top of the monument, and we were able to see all of Rome.  Very beautiful and amazing view!

Katie Sapper
Class Year:  2014
Major:  Theatre Arts
Vocal Part:  Alto

What has been the favorite part of your trip to Rome?


I enjoyed both the Roman Forum and the Vittoriano Monument.  It has been fun to see Rome in all of its splendor.

Sam Schepers
Class Year:  2012
Major:  Music Business
Vocal Part:  Tenor

What has been your first impression of Italy?


Italy has been so important for the spiritual and for the musical impact.  This is going to be an amazing trip for the Chamber Singers.  Plus, the history is really alive here!

Ancient Rome, Chamber Singers Rehearsal and Wednesday Dinner

On Wednesday, the Chamber Singers from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota were on a guided tour of Ancient Rome.  This tour started with a bus drive through the heart of Rome.  We then went on foot to truly experience Ancient Rome.  We started with a guided tour of the Coliseum and then with the Roman Forum.   After the two hour tour, the group had 1.5 hours to explore and get some lunch.

Lydia Munroe, Sam Schepers, Jeff Thomas, Matt Polum and Petey Brown relax at the Roman Forum

The Roman Forum (the ancient city)

Bryan Moore trying to grab one of those low-flying pigeons!  :)

                                               The Roman Coliseum

          Tyler Ringeisen, Gabbi Langan and Petey Brown before the Ancient Rome tour

                                          Closer-up view of the Coliseum

                            Tyler Ringeisen and Susie Ringeisen at the Coliseum

                Kate Larson and Danielle Scholbrock in front of the Constantine Arch

                  The Arc of Triumph dedicated to the great emperor Constantine

         Chamber Singers members inside the Coliseum listening to their tour guide

            Katie Sapper, Bryan Moore, Lydia Munroe and Matt Polum take in the Coliseum

                                                Inside view of the Coliseum

                       Yours truly and Petey Brown in front of the Coliseum

    Katie Keck, Michelle Cullen, Jessica Ingvalson, Katie Sapper, Bryan Moore and Bob     
                                               Fisher at the Coliseum

                              The view of the Roman Forum (Ancient Rome)

Then it was back to the "Motherhouse," to get ready for Ash Wednesday Mass at Parrocchia San Giovanni Battista de La Salle.  They conducted a short rehearsal/warm-up in the summer chapel.  Before the rehearsal, they were welcomed to the chapel by Brother Louis DeThomasis FSC, Ph.D. who now works in Rome and who is a former president of Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.  That was a very special treat, especially for those of us who new Br. Louis.

Br. Louis DeThomasis (former SMU president), greets the Chamber Singers in the 

                                Chapel at the Generalate of the Christian Brothers

                                  The Chamber Singers rehearse in the chapel

The Chamber Singers were the guest choir for the Mass.  After Mass, we returned to Casa Lasalle and everyone was free for the evening.

                                 Bryan Moore was very happy with his risotto

This is a pic of my meal - a ravioli (home-made pasta) with gorgonzola cheese and bacon

                                              A spaghetti with muscles

                  Alex Thomas had spaghetti with pesto.  He absolutely loved it.

Alex Green had a marinara pizza (just sauce).  He loved it and it was gone in 5 

                                                            minutes.

This is the great group of students that invited me to dinner - Katie Keck, Michelle 

Cullen, Alex Green, Alex Thomas, Katie Sapper, Bryan Moore, Jessica Ingvalson 

and Jeff Thomas