Madeleine Choir repeats Italian performance

Courtesy photo/Madeleine Choir School

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The Madeleine Choir performed at several venues during their tour of Italy.

SALT LAKE CITY — The Cathedral Choir featuring the choristers of The Madeleine Choir School spent 10 days touring Italy this month, presenting the music of Palestrina, Bach, Bruckner and Tavener.

The choir goes abroad for two reasons, said Joanna Wheelton, Madeleine Choir School director of advancement. "They go … to Rome to see historic Catholic churches there and, in addition, they perform while they are touring," she said.

The students’ performances took place in venues such as the Milan Duomo, the Medici family Church of San Lorenzo in Florence, the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi, and the Church of the Gesu in Rome. Among the highlights was the Choir’s performance in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. While in Italy the choir performed during Masses and in concerts.

More than 80 choristers in grades 5th through 8th travelled as musical ambassadors. They were joined by parents and faculty such as Bart LeFan, Brandon Horrocks, Elizabeth Thompson, Tyler Oliphant, pastoral administrator Gregory Glenn, assistant director of music Douglas O’Neill, and language arts/history teacher James Witucki, among others.

"A big part of the Madeleine school is to be able to be able to bring the Cathedral of the Madeleine choir to congregations," Wheelton said. "Between all the students they perform over a 180 times a year and that gives them a great level of discipline and maturity that allows them to be able to take full advantage of this kind of music experience at a younger age.".

Upon returning to Salt Lake City, the choir began preparing to present their 2010 International Performance Tour Concert at The Cathedral of the Madeleine, which is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 22, at 7:30 p.m. They will perform concert music presented on the tour.