The Hills Are Alive with the Sound of CCW!

Written by CCW Sophomore Evelyn Goldin

This summer, more than 30 singers from CCW’s Concert Chorus and Young Men’s Ensemble had the opportunity to tour in Europe. The singers visited Prague, Vienna, and Salzburg to learn, perform, and explore with their peers.

In Prague, singers prepared intensively for the festival concert at Dvorak Hall. It was a unique and incredible opportunity to rehearse and perform with talented singers from across the U.S. It was hard work and required discipline, but singing is what we love to do, so it was an amazing experience for the choristers. The festival was both fun and educational, and Concert Chorus member Hannah Boesen shared that the tour helped her to grow as a musician.

The rehearsals and concert were directed by the esteemed choral composer and conductor, Rollo Dilworth. Concert Chorus member Sophia Kutko recalled that a highlight of the tour was collaborating with him in both rehearsals and in performance. Dilworth joined CCW singers for a picnic after rehearsal, and shared insight into composing with the students. Kutko noted that she loved “work[ing] with him and talk[ing] to him about his creative process.”


Combined choirs rehearsing with Rollo Dilworth (Video by Anne Tyler)

In addition to the festival, CCW singers performed at spectacular venues in Prague and Vienna, alongside their peers from the Florida Singing Sons and the Princeton Boy Choir.


For many students, a special dimension of the trip was bonding with the other singers, both from CCW and different ensembles. Hannah Boesen said that she “was able to form deeper relationships with [her] fellow musicians and peers.” The singers were given the opportunity to meet students from the Princeton Boy Choir, the Florida Singing Sons, and the New York City Children’s Choir. They spent time with their new friends both in and out of rehearsal, exploring new places and singing together. Concert Chorister Nicole Talledo shared that one of her favorite parts of the tour was the combined dinners with the other choirs.


Choristers were taken on various guided tours, including an exploration of the beautiful Prague Castle. During the tour, students visited the St. Vitus cathedral, a magnificent church with gothic-style architecture, colorful stained-glass windows, and ornate displays. They even had the opportunity to sing inside the cathedral, which was a special and wonderful experience. CCW alumna Amelia Lashway remembers this fondly, recalling that “[the] perfect blend bounced off the walls and the ceiling, creating a warm reverb feeling throughout.”

Sight-seeing in Prague and Salzburg (Photos by Scott Clark)

In Salzburg, students learned about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart at his birthplace, and visited filming locations from the Sound of Music. 


Singers walked around the cities in groups of their peers. Daniel McGreevy, a member of CCW’s Young Men’s Ensemble, noted that he enjoyed exploring Prague with his chorus mates. Concert Chorister Miriam Bernstein also shared, “It was amazing to be in such a different and wonderful place while getting to experience [it] with my friends in the chorus.”


From the exciting rehearsals and concerts to exploring the beautiful cities of central Europe, the tour was packed with fun experiences and meaningful performances. It was an incredible trip that the choristers will remember and cherish for the rest of their lives. 

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