Chamber Choir conducts spring tour Feb. 27-March 9

Spring break means different things for different students across the country.

But for members of the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University Chamber Choir, it’s definitely a working holiday.

The 42-member Chamber Choir embarks on a 10-concert, four-state tour Feb. 27-March 9.

The Chamber Choir is the select mixed-voice touring ensemble at CSB and SJU. The group performs high-caliber choral masterworks several times a year and tours regularly - regionally, nationally and internationally.

“This is an amazing group of dedicated musicians, many of whom are not music majors,” said Axel Theimer, director of the choir and professor of music at CSB and SJU. “They recognize the important part music plays in their lives and how belonging to such an ensemble enhances their quality of life.

“It gives them the opportunity to explore and express emotions that can best be experienced when a group of people make music together,” Theimer said.

Each concert consists of two parts, bracketed by a short intermission. The program features a variety of sacred and secular music from around the world, ranging from the polyphony of the Renaissance to works of the 21st century.    

“Most of the second part focuses on music from around the world, which is a special emphasis on this year’s program,” said Theimer, noting selections from Syria, India, Japan, Maya and Yoruba.

Even if you are leaving Minnesota for spring break, you still have a chance to see the Chamber Choir perform at the closing concert of the tour – 8 p.m. Monday, March 9 at the Great Hall, SJU. That’s also the first day back to classes at CSB and SJU.

The tour dates include:

• Thursday, Feb. 27 – 7 p.m., Sacred Heart Church, Freeport, Minnesota
• Friday, Feb. 28 – 7:30 p.m., Saint John’s Catholic Church, Foley, Minnesota.
• Saturday, Feb. 29 – 2 p.m., Church of Saint Mary, New Ulm, Minnesota.
• Sunday, March 1 – 3 p.m., St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Mankato, Minnesota.
• Monday, March 2 – 7:30 p.m., St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Aberdeen, South Dakota.
• Tuesday, March 3 – 7:30 p.m., Christ the King Church, Omaha, Nebraska.
• Thursday, March 5 – 7 p.m., Holy Family Catholic Church, Kansas City, Missouri.
• Friday, March 6 – 7:30 p.m., Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Owatonna, Minnesota.
• Saturday, March 7 – 7:30 p.m., Pax Christi Catholic Church, Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
• Sunday, March 8 – 3 p.m., Church of St. Pascal Baylon, St. Paul, Minnesota.
• Monday, March 9 – 8 p.m., Great Hall, Saint John’s University, Collegeville.

There is no admission charge for any of the concerts, but a free-will offering will be collected at each site.