Caracas at last...

On July 12th of this year, I will embark on my very first visit to South America. This trip is both business and pleasure, as I will spend time both studying and exploring the Atlantic coast of the continent.

The idea for this trip came out of rather unique circumstances.

Two years ago I was in Oklahoma for the 2009 ACDA National Convention. At the final conference concert, I witnessed an incredibly moving performance by Maria Guinand and the Schola Cantorum de Venezuela. I'll never forget the choir's performance of Durufle's Ubi Caritas...To this day, it was probably the most tuneful, emotional, and fulfilling choral musical experience that I have ever had. Just seeing the singers stand before me in their colourful, flowing dresses, holding hands, and singing without inhibition or sense of limitation - the performance was their life story, told in a song. I was truly touched, and to be perfectly honest, I even cried a little.

I returned home to Toronto still completely mesmerized by Schola Cantorum's singing. I felt a deep connection to the ensemble's unique sense of musicianship; unique in its manifestation, in its stylistic considerations and execution. I knew that I just had to find out what makes the magic!

I started to research Maria Guinand's work. I was blown away by what I found - not only has Mrs. Guinand dedicated her life to working with choirs in her country and promoting Venezuelan choral music alongside her husband, Alberta Grau, but time and time again I came across testaments of people all over the world whom Mrs. Guinand had inspired with her boundless kindness and passion for choral art. I understood then that I was one such inspired persons, and that I must use all of my facilities to reach Venezuela and witness Mrs. Guinand's work firsthand.

Two years later, I am happy to say that I have made my dreams come true. With the help of Dr. Cairns, I managed to get in touch with Mrs. Guinand and arrange to study with her and observe her choirs in Caracas. I'm hoping that this experience will give me a glimpse into a different world of choral music making. I cannot wait to hear Venezuelan choral works performed by Venezuelan singers and possibly meet the composers/arrangers behind the works. The excitement I feel even when I write about this trip overrides any anxiety I may feel about travelling alone. Sure, many say that South America is dangerous but I have doing a lot of research as to how to best travel safely and in addition, I dedicate an hour each day to studying Spanish. This may just be the biggest adventure of my life and I couldn't ask for anything better than to finish my Master of Music with a grand trip to this fascinating continent.