Trinity Chamber Singers Tour Across United Kingdom and France

Trinity University's Chamber Singers, music faculty, and members of the San Antonio Choral Society recently returned from a 12-day tour performing across the United Kingdom and France. In early June, they performed at various historic churches and cathedrals across the region. The Dickson-Allen Foundation funded the tour, which allowed 42 Trinity students and faculty members to showcase their talents on an international stage.

Gary Seighman, D.M.A., Trinity’s director of choral activities, explained that the choir generally follows a four-year cycle of tours, which includes a rotation of regional, national, and international trips. “For this tour, we wanted to provide our students with the unique opportunity to perform in venues steeped in history and cultural significance,” Seighman says.

Highlights of the tour included performances at Winchester Cathedral, where the choir sang during a live-streamed Evensong service, and at the Church of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine in Paris, known for its incredible acoustics. Seighman noted, “Seeing our students experiencing the incredible historic venues for the first time is really gratifying as an educator. Nothing beats walking into a space such as Winchester Cathedral and seeing our students' jaws drop as they walk in.”

The Chamber Singers posed for a photo at the Winchester Cathedral.

In addition, the choir sang for a Sunday service at the Holy Trinity Church at Stratford-upon-Avon, England, also known as Shakespeare’s Church, due to a deep connection with the author. The choir was also featured in public concerts at St. James’ Church Sussex Gardens in London and at Church Saint-Étienne-du-Mont in Paris.

For Trinity junior Isabel Elsisi ’26, performing Kim André Arnessen’s “Even When He is Silent” at Church Saint-Étienne-du-Mont was the most memorable performance for her during the tour. “We hadn’t fully rehearsed that piece in many weeks and were not planning on performing it that night, but we made a last-minute decision to sing it,” Elsisi says. “It was a moment where Dr. Seighman showed us that he had full faith in us, and that piece was one of our best that night.”  

The choir’s repertoire featured a blend of British, French, and American choral works, including American folk songs such as "Shenandoah" and a contemporary jazz and Gospel-influenced suite, "Choral Triptych." One of the standout pieces was Gabriel Fauré's “Requiem in D Minor,” performed at the very church where Fauré himself worked and where the piece premiered in 1888.

The collaboration with the San Antonio Choral Society was a significant aspect of the tour. This partnership, which began in 2011 under the artistic direction of Seighman's wife, Jennifer Seighman, D.M.A., has led to numerous joint performances, including Mozart's Mass in C Minor and Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass. The partnership has allowed Trinity students and alumni to perform alongside renowned artists. Gary Seighman added, “Our alumni also joined [the Choral Society] when they sang backup for both Michael Bublé and Barry Manilow at the AT&T Center.”

Throughout the tour, the Trinity Chamber Singers engaged in various activities off the stage. They participated in a choral master class with Bob Chilcott, principal guest conductor of the BBC Singers and a former member of the King's Singers. Chilcott's expertise in Renaissance music provided valuable insights, helping the choir refine their musical interpretation and technique. Students also attended Evensong services at King's College and Trinity College in Cambridge.

The Chamber Singers had the unique opportunity to participate in a master class led by renowned conductor Bob Chilcott.

In addition, the tour visited significant musical sites. Students watched performances of several well-known scenes from Shakespeare’s plays at his birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon. They visited the Royal Chapel in Versailles, where well-known musical works were premiered under the reign of King Louis XIV. They also visited the Basilica of St. Clotilde and Église Saint-Sulpice in Paris, which are known for their famous organs. Trinity student organists had the unique opportunity to meet Karol Mossakowski, the renowned organist of Église Saint-Sulpice, and observe him perform the “Toccata” movement of Widor’s “Symphony for Organ No. 5.”

Non-musical activities were also essential to the tour, providing students with a broader cultural experience. They visited historical landmarks such as Château de Chambord, Sainte-Chapelle, and Anne Hathaway's Cottage, the residence of William Shakespeare’s wife. For Trinity alumna Avary Hartung ’23, spending quality time with her friends in the Trinity Chamber Singers and San Antonio Choral Society was the best part of the tour.

“The best parts were the simple moments I got to spend with them, like a morning coffee and rehearsal in London, or walking around Paris at sunset after a performance,” Hartung says. “Music is such a powerful point of connection and getting to share it with people you love is always an incredibly moving experience.”'

The Chamber Singers enjoyed a high tea (left) and pointed out their tour flyer while on one of their excursions. 

The tour's success was made possible by the Dickson-Allen Foundation, a long-time supporter of Trinity's music department. Their funding has fostered numerous initiatives, including the choir’s previous tours to Eisenstadt, Austria, for the Classical Music Festival in 2018 and their Carnegie Hall debut in 2022. In addition, the Dickson-Allen Foundation aids in recording projects and offers scholarships to students. Seighman expressed gratitude for their support, noting that the foundation's generosity has significantly impacted the students' musical education and growth.

Looking ahead, the Trinity Chamber Singers are planning to premiere new works by award-winning composers Evan Blaché, Laurel Christensen, and two-time GRAMMY® Nominee Benedict Sheehan in Spring 2025. The recent tour has set a high standard for future international collaborations and performances, continuing Trinity University's tradition of excellence in choral music.