The ReChoired Experience: LBCC Chamber Choir Visits London

 

July 10, 2012 | News | Nora Palmtag

James Redden and the LBCC chamber choir posing near the Tower of London, by Gary Brittsan

Beaming with joy and brimming with pride is the only description for James Reddan on his return from London. Reddan spent one week with the LBCC chamber choir in London during the festivities leading up to the Summer Olympics.
There were a total of seven choirs from all over the world selected for this event, with only two selected from auditions. LBCC’s choir was one of the lucky ones along with Australia. When you consider all of the choirs from colleges and universities all over the United States who tried out for this honor, we should be so proud of our chamber choir, ReChoired Element Chamber Choir.
When heading home, the choir was not allowed to board the plane until they sang for the flight crew in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Reddan said this is a huge opportunity and wonderful experience for our choir.

According to Reddan, he was very proud when Eric Knapp congratulated our choir for their preparation, positive attitude, flexible style, and shimmer of their voices. Knapp beefed up the performance style, making some changes and used members of his choir and Linn Benton’s choir only.
All the choirs were seated at the rehearsal and our choir does not sit and sing. When asked if the LBCC choir could stand and sing, Knapp said, “of course they could.” When the other choirs heard their voices, they all followed suit and also stood to sing. Demonstrating their professionalism was a huge plus observed by Reddan with pride and excitement.
The Members of the choir were able to view, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Downing Street, Westminster Abbey, Piccadilly Circus, and the London Eye on June 29.
On June 30, the choir went to St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London to view the Crown Jewels. Of course, our choir had to perform in front of the Tower of London and St. Paul’s Cathedral.
A concert with the Choral Institute of Melbourne and LBCC was held at St. Pancras Church, London.
July 3 was devoted to a ride on the London Eye, exploration of the Southbank precinct and attending the West End show, Billy Elliot.
Finally, on July 4, Exploration of London’s famous Covent Garden marketplace was on the agenda, finishing up with a Festival Gala Concert at Cadogan Hall, London.

Along with Linn-Benton ReChoired Element Chamber Choir, other choirs participating were:

Choral Institute of Melbourne – Melbourne, Australia
Barrington Village Singers – Barrington, Illinois (Director: Nancie Tobison)
Bozeman Symphonic Choir – Bozeman, Montana
Connecticut Choral Society – Southbury, Connecticut (Director: Eric Dale Knapp)
Hewitt School Chamber Chorus – New York, New York (Director: John Liepold)
New Jersey Choral Society – Ridgewood, New Jersey (Director: Eric Dale Knapp)