The University of Delaware Chorale has been invited to sing as the choir-in-residence with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra for three performances of Orff’s Carmina Burana in Ashdod, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Performances will take place at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 24, at the Ashdod Performing Arts Center, on Thursday, May 25, at the Henry Crown Symphony Hall, Jerusalem Theater, and on Sunday, May 28, at the Opera House in Tel Aviv.

While in Jerusalem, the UD Chorale will collaborate with the YMCA Jerusalem Youth Chorus, a community chorus that seeks to promote peace through music and discussion with students of Arab and Jewish backgrounds.

In Haifa, the chorale will collaborate with Peace Drums, which introduces peacemaking and reconciliation to Jewish, Muslim and Christian youth through the shared activity of a dynamic steel drum band. Peace Drums and the University have had a lasting connection fostered by UD’s own percussion professor, Harvey Price.

“We say music is a universal language, but even more than that, the love of singing is an amazing commonality that transcends everything that separates us as human beings,” said Paul D. Head, Unidel Professor of Music and director of choral studies. “Passion and joy knows no language or political orientation.”

Traditionally, graduating seniors of the UD Chorale lead the singing of the Alma Mater at UD Commencement on Saturday, May 27. Because they will be in Israel that day, the ensemble will lead the Alma Mater livestreaming from Israel onto the enormous screen at Delaware Stadium during Commencement.

About the UD Chorale

The University of Delaware Chorale, directed by Paul D. Head, is the most select choral ensemble in the Department Of Music. Consisting primarily of music majors, this ensemble has a very demanding performance schedule. Admission is open to all University students by audition.

Under Head’s direction, the UD Chorale has taken first- and second-place honors at competitive choral festivals in Estonia, Spain and Hungary.

For more than 60 years the University of Delaware Department Of Music has been dedicated to the musical growth of its students and the cultural enrichment of the community, offering a range of music majors and minors and presenting a variety of public performances.

In addition to programs for music majors and minors, the department offers classes and activities for the general student population. Approximately 1,000 students enroll each year in music appreciation courses, and more than 500 students earn academic credit by participating in the department's music ensembles and performance programs.

The Department of Music, in combination with the Resident Ensemble Players, is proud to offer a large variety of public performances throughout the year in the numerous University venues and in the region.