Yale Makes a Difference in the Americas through Song and Voluntourism
Yale Alumni Chorus and Yale Glee Club Visit Guatemala, Mexico, Argentina and Brazil
 2009 was a busy traveling summer for Yale. Three groups from this esteemed University traveled to North, Central and South America.
Starting in South America, the Yale Glee Club went on a 19 day - 9 concert tour of Argentina and Brazil, visiting and performing in Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, and Campinas. The Glee Club performed at many prestigious venues including the Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires. In Rio de Janeiro, the Yale Glee Club performed Haydn's Creation with Orchestra Sinfônica Brasileira at the Candelaria Church. The singers also enjoyed collaborating with many local choirs on their performances.
The Glee Club also participated in a workshop with Dr. Nestor Zadoff and El Coro Nacional de Jóvenes de la República Argentina.
A highlight of their tour was the outreach and cultural exchange activity with a local organization that aids local children in education, music, sports, technology as well as teaches them the English language.
A month and a half later and to the northwest, the Yale Alumni Chorus, directed by Jeffrey Douma, went on a 12 day tour to Guatemala and Mexico, with an exciting pre-tour to Belize. With the guidance of Classical Movements, the Chorus collaborated with a high level orchestra and choruses in many prestigious venues. The Governor General of Belize, Dr. Colville Young, heard about their tour and met them in Belize City. Classical Movements arranged a special dinner with a traditional band to bring the two together for a wonderful evening.
The Yale Alumni Chorus performed at many prestigious venues while on tour . Many of these concerts included collaborations with great choirs and fabulous orchestras such as Milenium Sinfonietta, under the direction of Maestro Jesus Medina at Sala Nezahualcóyotl.
Outreach was a prominent feature for the Chorus. In Guatemala, they served the local Mayan communities, while in Mexico City the chorus took part in a cultural exchange and outreach activity. The Yale Alumni donated instruments to an organization that serves the unprivileged community of Nezahualcóyotl and that prepares young musicians through the Bank of Instruments program of which Classical Movements is a founding member.
|
