(Oneida, NY – Aug. 2015) The Oneida Area Civic Chorale took their musical talents abroad earlier this summer as they used the universal language of music to reach out to audiences in Austria, Czech Republic and Germany where they received warm welcomes and huge accolades.
According to Kimberly Nethaway, Director of the Oneida Area Civic Chorale (OACC) this unique experience is one that the ensemble has embraced since 2003. Nethaway said that the group travels under the auspices of American Music Abroad (AMA). AMA is an international exchange program designed to communicate America’s rich musical contributions and diverse culture to audiences around the world.
“AMA sets up tours in Europe for music ensembles. We tour to give singers the chance to perform American music in other countries, and the make connections with audiences and other singers abroad. The old saying that “music is the universal language” is something that we truly experience while performing abroad,” Nethaway said.
Touring also gives the OACC singers a one of a kind experiences by touring and having the opportunity to get to know one another even better than what they may experience from rehearsals and concerts
The group left the Griffiss Business Park on July 1 where 46 tour members boarded a bus and traveled to New York City where they embarked on a flight to Vienna, Austria.
The ensemble performed scheduled concerts in many beautiful cathedrals including
St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna, Austria; Korunni Chapel in Prague, Czech Republic; St. Giles Church in Trebon, Czech Republic; Salzburg Cathedral in Salzburg, Austria and at Alter SpeicherEbersburg in Germany.
“The concert in Germany was unique, as it was a “friendship concert” where we performed with a choir from Munich. We also enjoyed some impromptu singing opportunities whereever we were…in restaurants, churches, and on walking tours,” Nethaway said.
The concerts performed all had an American music theme to them, which included sacred popular, jazz, Broadway and concert pieces; from favorites like “Amazing Grace,” “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” and “When the Saints Go Marching In,” to songs by Eric Whitacre, George Gershwin, Paul Simon and Billy Joel.
“We tried to present an enjoyable cross-section of music from the U.S.A,” Nethaway said.
Nethaway said the music program was well received by all audiences throughout the tour. “Every audience was wonderful,” Nethaway said. Even with the language barriers in some countries, Nethway said that regardless of their natural language the audiences were moved by the message of the ensemble.
“The audience members had big smiles and resounding applause. We even received a standing ovation in Trebon, which is basically unheard of in the Czech Republic,” Nethaway said.
Performing on a tour of this nature presented the OACC ensemble with many unique challenges; from logistics to acoustics. Nethaway said that there is a very short window of time to get everything set up and sound checks completed while tour.
“It is somewhat of an adventure each time we perform abroad,” she said. “It is a good test for the singers to have to quickly adapt to the surroundings and perform their best.”
Aside from performing, ensemble members had several opportunities to tour many prominent landmarks, dine in cultural restaurants and stay in historic hotels and inns. They got a birds-eye view of the landscapes of these counties and connected with new friends from far way lands.
Nethaway said that It was wonderful for musicians to experience Vienna and Salzburg, given the history there of so many great composers.
While in Salzburg ensemble members visited breathtaking landscapes and locations where the famous musical, ‘The Sound of Music,’ was filmed. There, they also experienced the historical and architectural landmarks in the city, as well as a part of the picturesque lake district.
The ensemble members enjoyed the Czech Republic stating that it had a flavor all its own. Many of the singer said the concerts in the Czech Republic were their favorite performances.
Since 2003 the OACC has made seven European tours including Italy, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, England, Belgium, Netherlands, France Germany, Croatia, Slovania, Czech Republic and Austria. Nethawy hopes that the group will tour again in 2017 but at this time is unsure as to the countries they may choose to tour.
“There are lots of places I would like to take my singers,” Nethaway said. “As a director, it is very rewarding to be able to give my singers the chance to travel together and perform in Europe. I feel very fortunate to be able to do this with them.”
The OACC is an Adult Community Chorus of more than 90 voices with singers coming from the Oneida, VVS, Canastota and Rome areas. It is a non-auditioned requirement membership group, which is open to all adults who love to sing. The group will begin rehearsals again the second week of September.