Augustana College choir students from Arlington Heights and Palatine will be touring through three different states beginning this Friday.
Silvia Ramirez-Bertolasi, a junior from Arlington Heights, along with seniors Abby Schultz and Valerie Bach and Justin Lebo, a junior, all from Palatine, will be performing in Naples, Florida and Baltimore and will enjoy some free time in Washington D.C. during their travels.
Unique to this tour is the choir's participation in the Maryland Music Educators Conference, where Dr. Hurty will conduct the Maryland All-State Choir, and the Augustana Choir also will perform.
This year's program offers a variety of early music as well as some contemporary pieces. Connecting the choir to its Lutheran roots, Dr. Hurty has chosen a Bach Motet - one of the great works of the Lutheran tradition. They also will perform a piece titled Cells Planets, which is an arrangement of a contemporary pop song by the band Little Grey Girlfriend.
"One of the things that we strive for in the Augustana Choir is to combine a strong tradition with cutting-edge musical styles," Dr. Hurty said. "Since the singers come from many academic disciplines across campus, it is especially interesting for them to be a part of a group that delves into many different styles and genres of vocal music."
The choir also will perform a home concert at 8 p.m. on March 8 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport, Iowa.
Established in 1931, the Augustana Choir has performed in some of the most storied venues around the world, including Carnegie Hall, Chicago's Orchestra Hall and the Uppsala Cathedral in Sweden.
Information provided by Augustana College/ realMedia News Wire.
