INTERNATIONAL TOURS
An international performance tour is an unforgettable experience, even for seasoned travelers.
The Choral Society has toured in Europe several times, twice with the UC Berkeley Alumni Choir, with a total entourage of about 100 people, including family and friends. On tour, the chorus must adapt as a smaller touring ensemble, adjust to each new venue, and bring performance-level energy to dress rehearsals and performances on top of a tourist schedule. Performing a choral masterwork within cathedral architecture for which a piece was written adds a rich dimension to the performance and the singer’s experience. Working with a local orchestra that doesn’t share your language is a fun cultural exchange.
One memorable appearance was in the Roman Catholic Mass ceremony at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Other great memories are little “pop-up” performances in places like St. Mark’s in Venice and in the ampitheater in Pompeii. And none of us will forget how moved European audiences are by American spirituals. Tours have included fun add-ons like seeing the opera Aida in a Roman arena in Verona and a Tuscan wine dinner. Conditions permitting, The Choral Society will tour Sweden and the Baltic countries in 2023.
THE CHORAL SOCIETY
Individual donations make up more than 50% of our budget. Your generous support keeps the song alive.
Tracy Van Fleet is pleased to return to the Santa Barbara Choral Society. As a soloist, she has performed with the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Lüneburg Symphony in Germany, Orquesta Filarmónica de Boca del Río in Mexico, Pasadena Symphony, Naples Philharmonic, Los Angeles Bach Festival, San Diego Chamber Orchestra, Colorado Philharmonic, USC Symphony and Chorus, and others. She has had many appearances with the Los Angeles Opera, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Pacific Symphony, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Opera Pacific, San Diego Opera and Opera Colorado.
Born and raised in Southern California, April Amante is a versatile soprano with expertise and facility in repertoire spanning from early music to contemporary musical theater.