Integrated by Music ****************************************************************************************** * Integrated by Music – Erasmus and International Students as Members of Charles Universit ****************************************************************************************** Who would have guessed, that in a first floor room of a hospital, tucked away only metres náměstí, beautiful music would be being produced. But that is exactly the case. The room i sál (Charvát Hall) belonging to the campus of the First Faculty of Medicine of Charles Uni the music is coming from the Charles University Chorus (Sbor Univerzity Karlovy). Founded then Rector of the University, Professor Ivan Wilhelm, it has been conducted by Haig Utidj beginning. When I visited the choir during their rehearsal, the singers were hard at work their upcoming concert in the Prague protestant Saint Salvator church in aid of Sue Ryder concert, I caught up with a few of the international members to see what it’s like singing My first question was to find out how much Czech everyone knew. We are, of course, in Prag interesting to know how everyone is getting on linguistically! The majority said that they words - enough to get by! The exception to this was the American student Emma McCullough ( of California, at currently a Fulbright Foundation scholar at the Faculty of Arts, Charles All of her research that she is doing here is in Czech, and she had even already done some while in America! The more interesting part for her was now being able to sing together wi Fellow American, Kim Foxen (from Manhattan School of Music, now studying on the ECES progr Faculty of Arts), managed the impressive feat of singing the soprano solo for Jan Ryba’s C entirely in Czech (despite knowing very little of the language) for the concert on Decembe asked her how she managed this, she said “I just sat for 4 or 5 hours and kept on repeatin and over again and listening to the recording. I would just try to mimic them and their so in my head.” But for Enrico Cicuttin (from Universita degli Studi di Udine, now an Erasmus Third Faculty of Medicine) who didn’t find singing in Czech too difficult, had some other language: “it’s a really strange language; I mean it’s not the kind of language I would us because it’s full of consonants. They don’t have so many vowels so it’s a mess when you ha some things!” But the fun doesn’t stop at strings of Czech consonants. Not only have the c Czech, but also ancient Armenian, Greek, French, and according to the conductor Haig Utidj dozen different languages since the choir began. Everyone who I spoke to had a musical background, and all had previously sung before comin Despite singing in different choirs, Christian Spinner (from University of Konstanz, Erasm the Faculty of Social Sciences) had never had vocal training. He said: “Usually I play tro university’s symphonic orchestra. But taking this big and loud instrument to Prague seemed to me. So I decided to attend the choir!” Enrico on the other hand, has been singing since but told me that there aren’t really any opportunities to sing at his university in Italy have stopped the funding. In that respect, the Charles University Chorus are very lucky. H told me that they are “extremely fortunate in that the Hlávka Foundation (one of the most educational charities) has been very suppportive of our Chorus and Orchestra, and it is th generosity that we are also able to invite Prof. Jana Jonášová of the National Theatre to master classes and workshops to members of our Chorus.” So with all of the different things going on, I thought it might have been difficult for t to pick a favourite piece that they have sung so far this year. However the resounding ans Mass in D. Despite being a Czech composer the Mass is in Latin, which, like Vahuri Voolaid of Tartu, currently also an Erasmus student at the Faculty of Social Sciences in Prague) s for choir singers. It was with this popular piece, that the Charles University Chorus took in Vienna last weekend in the city’s famous St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The Vienna trip was s McCullough was especially looking forward to: “I actually studied abroad in Vienna in 2007 and I’m really excited to get the chance to go back because it’s just a great city to be i time. Also, the St. Stephen’s Cathedral is by far the most important church in the country exciting too.” In relation to all of the concerts, Emma also mentioned that the Charles Un performs a lot more frequently than her choir at home; “the group I sing in at home is mos much more selective, at least half grad students whereas the group here is mostly undergra most of them only have a recreational musical background (as opposed to studying it as a m very impressive to me that we do so many concerts.” Being a multinational choir also brings of course the benefits of getting to know many dif Everyone I asked mentioned how the Czechs are very friendly and welcoming. But the benefit for the students… At the rehearsal, I noticed that Haig Utidjian would speak half in Czech English, but every now and then a word of French or Italian would creep in. He himself sai it does “help make our members feel welcome - or at the very least, it amuses them, I thin be careful lest a Tower of Babel results - e.g. when one absent-mindedly speaks Greek to a forgets who is German and who is Czech, etc. - sometimes it can get a bit confusing, when what language I am currently speaking, or end up making a multi-lingual pronouncement of t we shall now go to an excellent hospoda" - but which, somehow, everyone understands withou (pub) I would imagine is one of the first Czech words many foreigners learn (perhaps after both Christian and Enrico mentioned the trips to the pub as being great opportunities for the other members of the choir. And would my interviewees recommend joining the Charles University Chorus to other interna A resounding yes. Vahuri emphasised that “some of the best friends I’ve made so far are fr whereas Kim answered most enthusiastically here: “Oh my god yes! Singing yesterday (at the concert) was one of the best experiences I’ve had abroad. It was so surreal to be standing professional opera singers - it was really breath taking and I’m so glad that I joined thi recommend it to everyone”. If you want to see the choir in action, their next concert will be 19th December along wit University Orchestra in the catholic Saint Salvator / Svatý Salvátor on Křížovnické Square Bridge at 7.30 pm. Haig Utidjian reiterated that “the event tends to attract large crowds early arrival is strongly recommended - as is warm clothing!” They will be performing the Christmas Pastoral Mass (I would highly recommend it, having already been very impressed b December 2nd concert) as well as some movements from Komitas’ Armenian Liturgy. Admission a special charity is chosen each year by the chaplain, people are encouraged to make a don fit. My final question was if there are any bad bits about the choir? It would seem, only one t goodbye to the Erasmus students at the end of their stay! I am very grateful to all of the international students I spoke to, and the conductor Haig letting me interview them. It was exciting to find out about another activity on offer her University. At the rehearsal I could clearly see how friendly all of the choir members wer other, and I think that this camaraderie really helps the group gel. This is then reflecte togetherness at concerts and I believe you can hear the smiling in their voices!