Two of West High’s choirs, West Singers and Virtuosa, traveled across Iowa and Minnesota from April 30 to May 2 in the annual choir tour.
Every spring, West High choirs travel to perform in venues across the Midwest. In 2024, they traveled to St. Louis, performing at four venues on the way: Quincy University in Illinois, Webster University in Missouri, the St. Louis Old Cathedral and the Shrine of St. Joseph.
This year, the choirs visited Luther College, Macalester College, St. Mary’s Basilica and the Cathedral of St. Paul, as well as some famous sightseeing spots in between.
At Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, a school known for its music programs, West Singers got feedback from Dr. Mark Potvin. Afterwards, Virtuosa worked with Dr. Adrianna Tam.
“I think this particular group seems to have good camaraderie and spirit among them. Each time I gave a little bit of feedback, there was an earnest attempt to incorporate that feedback. That’s a glorious thing. My impressions of them are very positive, and I think it was a real gift to be able to welcome them to campus today,” Potvin said.
At Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Dr. Michael MacGaghie taught both choirs.
“Both groups, are really, really singing at a very excellent level and singing with a lot of joy, which is one of the most important things I think about any performance, you know, you have to come into the art ready to give it away as a gift. And you can’t do that unless you’re willing to work together as a team,” MacGaghie said.
Touring is a vital tool used to help choirs improve and explore. Singing in different venues and working with clinicians helps the choirs learn new things from different spaces and teachers.
“I think that [touring] is essential. I wish my students got to do more of it. Going on tour is important for you all, individually. As students, it helps you bring the repertoire to a higher level,” MacGaghie said.
In between performances, the choirs filled their free time with a variety of activities, from hiking around Dunning Springs to touring the Minneapolis Institute of Art to shopping at the Mall of America.
The next day, the choirs went to Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where they had a clinic taught by Dr. Michael MacGaghie. After their clinic, the choirs travelled to St. Mary’s Basilica for an informal performance. The choirs spent the evening at Como Zoo and Conservatory and explored the Minnesota Institute of Art.
The following day, they went to the Cathedral of St. Paul for another informal performance. The choirs then spent that afternoon shopping at the Mall of America. Afterwards, the choirs went on their way back to West High.
West Singers sang “Climbin’ up the Mountain” by Stacy Gibbs, and “Apple Tree” by Aurora, while Virtuosa sang “Where the Light Begins” by Susan LaBarr, “What Happens When A Woman Takes Power” by Alexandra Olsavsky, and “Thulele Mama Ya” by Coco’s Lunch.
