News – Sheridan Media
For more than two years, members and leadership of the Sheridan County Youth Choir have been planning and preparing for an adventure unlike any the youth ensemble has ever taken: An 8-day tour and exchange opportunity in Italy. The choir will depart for Italy on November 17.
“We’ll be touring through Venice, Florence, and Rome,” says Tyler Rogers, co-director of the youth choir. “Our singers are going to have the opportunity to sing alongside Italian kids, as well as participate in a masterclass with a pair of opera professionals. Of course, we’ll get to do plenty of site-seeing and exploring in Italy, too.” The idea of traveling abroad was originally discussed when the pandemic brought the music-making world to a halt. “We knew that if our choir was going to survive the shutdown, we were going to have to do something massive,”
Rogers says. “So we took a mighty gamble and – during the onset of the pandemic – set a travel date for two years out.” The choir has held a healthy and growing roster over the last two years, despite the challenges brought on by the pandemic. “At the end of the day, we wanted to give our kids some hope during a time when hope was harder to come by.”
Stephanie Zukowski, youth choir co-director, says that the tour represents a key next step in the program’s vision. “We have always wanted to be a group that travels,”
Zukowski says. “Now we are providing a chance for our kids to experience the world and other cultures, all through the lens of music.”
Evan Groshart, 10, says that he is drawn to youth choir and the tour by the sense of community. “I like that I get to make music with a group. You always have a group to support you. I like the socializing.” Andrew Gilbert, 12, sees the trip as an opportunity to grow as a musician. “I am most looking forward to our masterclass sessions,”
Gilbert says. “I have such joy for music, and this will show us how our music fundamentals can be expanded.” Both boys also highlighted the Roman Colosseum and experiencing authentic Italian food as key points of excitement.
While fundraising goals for the tour were lofty, Rogers says that the community surrounded the project quickly to make it a reality for the kids. Between various fundraising projects and support from local foundations, the choir raised enough to cover almost forty-percent of each child’s travel costs. “We are deeply grateful for everybody who has helped and contributed to this massive project, especially our talented and voracious choir parent committee” Rogers says.
“We’d also like to give special thanks to the Witzel Foundation, the Scott Foundation, and the Kibbee Foundation for their support of our students and their travel goals.” Given the excitement and support that this Italian tour has drummed up in and around the youth choir, Rogers says that future travel plans are also possible. “Let’s enjoy this one first,” Rogers says. “We have some ideas for future destinations that we are excited about. But for now, we’re all-in and making Italy the best trip it can possibly be.”
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Last modified: November 17, 2022