Photo Courtesy of Tracy Burklund
GLOBAL AMBASSADORS—Tracy Burklund has taken the Concert Choir to Spain, Greece, Australia and France. Singers are learning music in Swahili and Zula in preparation for
a tour of Africa.
By Anna Teresa Espinoza
Southwestern College singers may soon need new passport books.
Spain is the latest stamp for members of the Concert Choir and Spanish audiences gave their stamp of approval during an SRO tour that featured stops in Granada, Seville and Madrid.
Southwestern’s reign in Spain was anything but plain. Tracy Burklund’s talented team performed in dazzling cathedrals and received standing ovations. SC’s choir joins the Mariachi Garibaldi as international ambassadors for the humble college in the far left corner of the United States.
Joining the Jaguar vocalists was the Saint Rose of Lima Simi Valley choir for three performances coordinated by the World Strides organization. Burklund and her friend Clare Delto of St. Rose of Lima took turns directing with the help of their pianist Dr. Rachel Yoon.
Granada’s’ magnificent Monastery of San Jerónimo de Granada surprised choir members for its stunning beauty and its enthusiastic full house. Angela Garcia-Sermeño called it a transcendent experience.
“The thing that made it stand apart from everything else was that it was a full house and we didnot expect that,” she said.
Historic Iglesia del Santo Ángel in Seville was an unforgettable venue, said Burklund.
“It had amazing acoustics,” she said. “It was a full house audience and they gave us a standing ovation. That felt so nice.”
Madrid was the site of the grand finale. Iglesia de San Millán Y San Cayetano is a historical church on top of a hill with no road, Burklund said.
“We all had to hike up in our performance attire,” she said. “The venue was very large and the acoustics were nice. We had a large audience which also gave us a standing ovation.”
Choir members visited several cities and learned about Spanish culture. Garcia-Sermeño was able to visit the Museo Reina Sofía and gaze upon Pablo Picasso’s epic masterpiece “Guernica.”
“We are in college and sometimes I catch myself wondering ‘Why do I need to learn this? Why do I need to take this class? or Why do I need to write a research paper?’” she said. “I feel like seeing the real thing in person and being in the country where it was painted was illuminating. That is why I need to be well rounded and learn about the cultures of different places. It helps put things into perspective.”
Diane Amore said she enjoyed the comradery of the traveling singers.
“They’re always friendly and joking around,” she said. “Everyone is thoughtful, helping each other, and it’s really nice, that’s why I stay.”
Garcia-Sermeño said she and her fiancé enjoyed a private flamenco lesson. Amore said she was impressed by the lifestyle and values of the country.
“I’ve traveled to different countries but to see how they live in Spain was inspiring,” she said. “Spaniards care so much about their people and everything is centered around families.”
Burklund, the globe-trotting director, has taken the choir to Greece, Australia and France. Performances were done in English and Latin. She said the choir is learning music in Swahili and Zulu for future performances in Africa.
