A couple of weeks ago, I reported that the choir of the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 1213 W. Army Trail Road, participated in a choral competition festival in Verona, Italy. Our Italian adventurers have returned home beaming, with a bronze trophy in tow.

The event was coordinated by Music Contact International, which invites high school, college, and church choirs from around the world to participate in international choral festivals and exchanges. In all, there were 10 choirs from the United States and 27 from other countries, including Japan, Russia, Finland, Ireland, Puerto Rico and Croatia, participating in this festival.

“Our performance went very well, and I am so proud of our choir,” said Rosalind Wirtz, the choir director. “The experience far exceeded my expectations.”

This performance was unlike any other for the Prince of Peace choir, as it took place in an Italian theatre.

The choir rose to this unique occasion and received positive feedback from the festival judges, particularly in regard to their good dynamic contrast. They also were receptive to the constructive feedback received regarding their need to work on intonation and listen to each other more during the performance.

According to Wirtz, victory was not the main focus of their participation in this festival. Getting objective feedback about their performance was a big incentive, which made receiving their bronze trophy that much more overwhelming.

“When I went on stage to accept the trophy for the group, I was dazed. I didn’t believe it was happening,” she said. “And then I looked out into the audience and saw our entire choir jumping up and down. And remember, these are not young people. They were flying out of their seats, and it was just a riot.”

The choral festival also provided the invaluable experience of taking in performances of choirs from around the world. Wirtz and company had a chance to listen to many of the various groups and observe their native costumes and other traditions.

“It was really like a United Nations thing,” she said.

Another grand highlight of their trip was a friendship concert that they performed along with a 50-member Italian church choir in the city of San Martino. The setting was a beautifully ornate church with a domed ceiling and incredible acoustics.

“We sang a few songs, then the other choir sang a few songs. Some of them spoke English and some didn’t, but we all sang and laughed and really had a good time,” said Wirtz.

The group looks forward to continuing their progress.

“I can see the choir really moving ahead musically. This festival was exactly the catalyst needed to get them working harder and stretching themselves. Some of the members have already said that certain numbers we performed in the past seem very easy to them now. They have moved forward,” said Wirtz.

Future Prince of Peace choir plans call for Wirtz to change the group’s rehearsal pattern to include sight reading at every session. She will continue to conduct her music theory class at the church to keep their musical development on track.

“I can also see us doing something in the future like more travel or hosting another church choir. We met a church group from Maryland — a fabulous group — and we may host them to perform here locally,” said Wirtz.

The choir will present an appreciation lunch for the Prince of Peace congregation to thank them for their support and to share their myriad photographs and mementos of the trip. While the majority of the trip expenses were paid for by the individual choir members, the congregation did provide some funds and a great deal of moral support as well. 

“The congregation is very proud of the choir for the trophy, and we are so grateful for their support,” said Wirtz.