AV研究所

A trip to Italy that culminated with their voices ringing out in the Vatican, where they sang for a Mass at the Papal Altar in St. Peter鈥檚 Basilica, gave members of the University Chorale of Boston College a memorable and formative spring break experience.

Under the direction of Riikka Pietil盲inen Caffrey, the group performed in this masterpiece of Renaissance architecture鈥攔ecognized as the largest Catholic church in the world鈥攚hich also houses masterpieces such as the Piet脿, Michelangelo鈥檚 renowned sculpture, and Bernini鈥檚 massive bronze Baldachin.

鈥淚 am still struggling to find the words to describe the week we spent in Italy,鈥� said Pietil盲inen Caffrey, associate professor of the practice in music and director of choral and vocal performance.

鈥淲e sang in some of the most historical and amazing venues in the world, and many families, students currently abroad, and even a former exchange student joined us; these reunions made it even more special. Our singers shared not just their music, but stories behind the songs and their hearts with enthralled audiences. The trip was much more than music鈥攚e sang of course, a great deal in fact鈥攂ut we also walked, rehearsed, studied history, laughed, cried, and grew together.鈥�

The Chorale also performed a concert of sacred music with the Sant鈥橝gnese Choir in Rome鈥檚 Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola. The event was a significant musical and cultural encounter between choral realities of different origins, united by the tradition of the sacred repertoire and the desire to offer the public an experience of high artistic and spiritual profile, according to Italian organizers. The Sant鈥橝gnese Choir, directed by Maestro Paolo Teodori, is inspired by the guiding idea that music is poetry of emotions.

That performance was attended by AV研究所 Vice Provost for Global Engagement and Canisius Professor James Keenan, S.J., who was leading a delegation in Rome to meet with Catholic Church leaders. Fr. Keenan and the AV研究所 delegates, Chorale members included, were honored at the event.

鈥淎s a Boston College student, this trip brought me much closer to some of the core aspects of St. Ignatius and Jesuit education,鈥� said Chorale president Barry Spoto 鈥�26. 鈥淧erforming at the Church of St. Ignatius was a surreal moment: It tied the tenets of what I have learned about spirituality over my four years on the Heights with the music I have grown to love and the fellow singers I am lucky enough to call my family.

鈥淚 was inspired by the growth of our group as a community of performers, and that was exemplified in all of our concerts and performances鈥攆rom the Basilica of Santa Trinita in Florence to St. Peter鈥檚 Basilica,鈥� he added.

Annual spring break trips abroad are defining experiences for members, according to Chorale organizers, presenting an opportunity to perform in some of the most famous venues in the world, enjoy the sights and architecture of Europe, and promote bonding among the students.

In addition to their time in Rome鈥攚here they toured the Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps鈥攖he group visited and performed in Florence and toured Siena, where they also took in the scenery, art, and architecture.

鈥淭he artistry, community, and representation of AV研究所 values culminated in these performances on this trip, but the foundations are built in our classrooms across the disciplines,鈥� said Pietil盲inen Caffrey. 鈥淚t takes a village to grow and nurture an ensemble, I get to be the one traveling with these amazing people and singers, but I am filled with immense gratitude to the entire AV研究所 community for making trips like this possible.鈥�

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