The Early Years
1996 Tour – Austria, Germany, & France
June 21 to July 7 – This first European tour of Mastersingers USA (then called University Mastersingers) began with 3 days of rehearsals in New York City, followed by a group flight to Munich. The first part of the tour was for singers only. Families joined us in Paris for the last 4 days of the adventure. Pending a more lengthy description of the tour, here are the venues where we sang:
Grace Church, New York City
Universitätkirche, Graz, Austria
Benedictine Monastery, Admont, Austria
Pfarrkirche, Obdach, Austria
Pfarrkirche, St. Oswald, Austria
Mariazell Basilica, Mariazell, Austria
Karlskirche, Vienna
Franziskanerkirche, Rothenburg, Germany
Abbaye aux Hommes, Caen, France
Eglise Paroissiale, Mont St. Michel, France
Eglise Abbatiale, Mont St. Michel, France
Notre Dame de Paris
Eglise St. Eustache, Paris
1997 to 2006 Retreats
1997 – Cleveland, OH
1999 – Brooklyn Heights, NY
2002 – New York, NY
2004 – Chicago, IL
2006 – Boston, MA (February) click here to view photos
2006 – Irvine, CA (June)
2000 Tour – Austria, Italy, Monaco & France
June 22 to July 9 – Newly renamed Mastersingers USA undertook its second European tour in the summer of 2000, beginning with 3 days of rehearsals at the Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims in Brooklyn, NY. Once again the chorus traveled as a group, men only, flying to Paris on June 25, thence to Vienna by train and bus. Once again, families joined the men in Paris. The many adventures in this tour make quite a story, but until that is told, here is a list of tour’s performance venues:
Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims, Brooklyn, NY
Pfarrkirche, Reichenfels, Austria
Pfarrkirche, St. Oswald, Austria
Cattedrale San Giusto, Trieste, Italy
Cattedrale San Marco, Venice, Italy
Chiesa S. Maria del Giglio, Venice, Italy
Sala Gustav Mahler, Toblach, Italy
Theatre du Fort Antoine, Monaco (performance for Prince Albert)
Abbaye aus Hommes, Caen, France
Eglise Abbatiale, Mont St. Michel, France
Notre Dame de Paris
2008, 2009, 2011 Retreats
2008 Washington, DC (Choral Festival)
March 27 to March 30 –Performances: (1) IMC National Seminar (Vienna) and (2) Sunday morning service at National Presbyterian Church (Washington, DC)
Host: Jim (Murch) Mixter
Notes: This was our “Fenno Fest.” At the IMC venue, our performance was a tribute to Fenno Heath in honor of his 80th birthday, and we sang his music exclusively. Sadly, Fenno died the following year.