UpDate - Vol. 11, No. 25, Page 7
March 26, 1992
Campus choristers to spend break in Czechoslovakia

     Ft. Lauderdale, Daytona, Cancun, Prague. Which of these cities sounds
like the best bet for spring break?
     This year, to the University of Delaware Choir, Prague is the city of
choice. Instead of suntan lotion and bathing suits, the University's choir
will be performing, sightseeing and experiencing a totally different
culture.
     It has been four years since the choir last made a trip to Europe, but
there have been performances on the East Coast, including appearances at
the White House. The choir has been planning the current trip since last
spring, with the decision to go to Czechoslovakia made in October. The
members will depart tomorrow for Europe from New York City.
     The bulk of the trip will be paid for by the students themselves, with
the music department providing some additional support.
     In order to be selected to perform in Czechoslovakia, the choir had to
send an audition tape, which would determine exactly where they would sing.
One of the sites is the Jewish Culture Center, where the University will be
the first American choir ever permitted to perform.
     Their program will present American as well as European music. In
fact, the choir trained in eight languages for this program. Pavel Simachek
of Prague, and Peter Kapustic of Nitra, both University of Delaware
students, have been practicing with the choir, aiding in proper
pronunciation since some of the selections will be sung in Bohemian,
Hebrew, Latin and German.
     Cottle said his students will gain a great cultural experience
performing in the foreign country, and they will absorb the arts and
architecture, which will add to each student's appreciation of that area of
the world. The frequency of performances on the trip will provide the
students with the experience of singing in a hectic concert schedule, thus
developing their skills for future appearances. In addition to the concert
schedule, the students will visit Prague, Bratislava and five other cities.
     To make the trip complete, Cottle and his choir have been invited for
dinner and home stays with students and staff from the Nitra Agricultural
College. The college's president has lectured at the University of Delaware
and considers his institution to be Delaware's sister university in
Czechoslovakia.
     Thirty-seven singers from all disciplines of the University, ranging
from music to engineering, participate in the choir. Conductor Andrew
Cottle said having previous experience and a good voice are not the only
requirements. He also looks for intelligence, dependability and
compatibility.
     Also traveling with the choir are University Provost and Mrs. R. Byron
Pipes; Betsy Kent, pianist; and Mark Alexander, photographer.
     -Sharon Cole