VSU Chamber Singers Raising Funds for 2014 Tour of England

VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University’s Chamber Singers will embark on a musical journey through Historic England the week of Spring Break, March 14-22, 2014. The premiere auditioned choral group will perform the highest level of choral music in such towns as Staffordshire, Oxford, and London. 

During the nine-day performance tour, Dr. Paul Neal, director of choral activities at VSU, said that the Chamber Singers will share their talents at Oxford’s Christ Church and during a music concert series at Stoke Minster in Stoke-On-Trent. The group will also visit Manchester Cathedral, Christ Church College, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace to view the Changing of the Guard ceremony, and more. He said that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these 40 students, including both music and non-music majors.

“This rare opportunity will expose our students to many new sights and sounds and allow us to be musical ambassadors for South Georgia,” he added.

Neal said that the students have raised $15,000 over the last three years and have received some financial support from the university.

“Valdosta State University has always been a supporter of the arts, and it continues this tradition by subsidizing the trip,” he shared. “In fact, the university has given a substantial portion of the total cost for each student. In addition, the students will raise money throughout the fall semester with our annual Holiday Candlelight Rotunda Concert and a new fundraiser, Cool Yule. Altogether, the students have already raised over $10,000 toward their tour expenses.”

“The Department of Music has established a remaining fundraising goal of $25,000 in order to make this opportunity a reality,” he continued. “Gifts to this project strengthen the VSU Department of Music by allowing our students similar opportunities as those offered by the nation’s top programs. Your gift is an investment in the dreams of a young person.”

Contact Dr. Paul Neal at (229) 333-5812 or paneal@valdosta.edu to learn more.

Visit www.vadostastate.org/vsuchoirtour to make a donation online.

Visit http://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/arts/music/ensembles/choral-activities.php to learn more about choral activities at VSU.

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