International Gold

October 9, 2014

The air was filled with song and a spirit of intercultural warmth and friendship at the World Choir Games in Riga, Latvia, in July. The competition was stiff among the 460 choirs and more than 27,000 singers from 73 nations, but two Saint Mary’s ensembles brought home the gold.

The Chamber Singers competed against 55 other choirs with a stunning 20-minute performance that put them in the top eight ensembles and garnered them a gold medal. The Glee Club, pitted against 29 other choirs in the popular music category, placed in the top six ensembles and won gold. “Their four-song set was, to my ear, flawless—the only time in my 30-year teaching career I couldn’t find a single detail to improve,” said Martin Rokeach, Music Program director. “Musical standards at the Choir Games were very high. Weak ensembles were not invited to participate.”

Despite the highly competitive nature of the gathering, choirs that couldn’t speak each other’s languages let music do the talking, singing together on buses and in parks, Rokeach said. “Saint Mary’s students spontaneously jammed with choir members from Venezuela, Uganda and China.”

Watch them perform in front of the Chapel in celebration.

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