(May 7, 2013)

Centenary College Choir embarks on Italy tour

SHREVEPORT, LA — The Centenary College Choir will tour Italy for two weeks, May 7-May 20. Known as America's Singing Ambassadors, the Choir will perform at several concerts and services in Rome, Florence, Venice, and Milan. The engagements include singing mass at St. Peters Basilica in the Vatican, which the Choir has done only once before in 1985.

Dr. David Hobson, A.C. "Cheesy" Voran Choir Director, believes that international tours offer students not only the opportunity to be musical ambassadors for the College and for America but also the prospect of unique personal experiences.

"Exploring other cultures of the world, as well as engaging them musically, has always been a significant part of the Choir's purpose," said Hobson. "For the students, Italy offers rich layers of history, religion, and music built up on top of one another."

In addition to performing, the choir will visit some of the most famous cathedrals and basilicas in the world and the birthplaces and work centers of important musical figures like Palestrina, Puccini, and Stradivari. The tour group of 65 includes 50 students, college staff, friends, and family.

Founded in 1941, the Centenary College Choir has performed throughout the world: singing for front-line troops in Korea, many American and European heads of state, NATO and American armed forces worldwide, ten international conventions of Lions International, three times for the General Conference of the United Methodist Church, the Council of Bishops, and two lengthy engagements at New York's Radio City Music Hall.