Dr. André Thomas

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

JUNE 22 - 28, 2015

THE ROME CHORAL FESTIVAL

THE CITY :: Rome, ItalyRome is a perfect setting for a choral festival because of its rich musical and artistic culture. Through the ages Rome has played a major role in Western art and examples of its architectural grandeur are visible everywhere you look. Music has also historically been one of the cultural markers of Italian national and ethnic identity and holds an important position in society and in politics. This festival offers an opportunity to perform in the heart of this rich musical culture and to visit the iconic historic sites of Rome.

THE FESTIVAL :: 2015 Rome Choral FestivalPerform International is excited to present the 2015 Rome Choral Festival under the artistic direction of Dr. André Thomas. Dr. Thomas has been a guest conductor for choirs around the world and has also distinguished himself as a composer/arranger. Your choir will enjoy four rehearsals with Dr. Thomas before the Rome Choral Festival finale concert. A choral festival set in Rome offers singers the chance to perform an exciting repertoire of choral music with new friends from other participating choirs - all in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

THE VENUE The Rome Choral Festival concert will be held in the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, a unique Renaissance church in Rome. Designed by Michelangelo just one year before he died, it was built inside the Roman walls of the Baths of Diocletian. This beautiful venue also offers a visual feast of classic paintings, frescoes and holy relics which your choir will enjoy viewing. The festival concert will be a memorable finale to the Rome Choral Festival.

THE ORGANIZERS :: Perform InternationalPerform International maintains an International Music & Dance Touring Company with corporate headquarters and Operations Center based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Perform International is dedicated to providing exceptional educational tours for performing groups, with itineraries that feature beautiful venues throughout the world. Our company enjoys an enviable history with its Performance Tours Division, one that specializes in assisting music and dance ensembles who wish to tour Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.

THE SETTING

DR. ANDRÉ THOMASOwen F. Sellers Professor of MusicDirector of Choral Activities and Professor of Choral Music EducationFlorida State University

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

André J. Thomas is Director of Choral Activities and Professor of Choral Music Education at The Florida State University. A previous faculty member at the University of Texas, Austin, Dr. Thomas received his degrees from Friends University (B.A.), Northwestern University (M. M.), and the University of Illinois (D.M.A). He is in demand as a choral adjudicator, clinician, and director of Honor/All-State Choirs throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, New Zealand, and Australia.

Dr. Thomas has conducted choirs at the state, division, and national conventions of the Music Educators National Conference (MENC) and American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). His international conducting credits are extensive. They include conductor/clinician for the International Federation of Choral Musicians, summer residency of the World Youth Choir in the Republic of China and the Philippines, winter residency of the World Youth Choir in Europe, and a premier performance by an American choir (Florida State University Singers) in Vietnam. He has been the guest conductor of such distinguished orchestras and choirs as the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in England, guest Conductor for the Berlin Radio Choir in Germany, the Netherlands Radio Choir, the Charlotte Symphony, Tallahassee Symphony, China’s People’s Liberation Orchestra and the Czech National Symphony Orchestra. Since 1988, he has also served as Artistic Director of the Tallahassee Community Chorus.Thomas has also distinguished himself as a composer/arranger. Hinshaw Music Company, Mark Foster Music Company, Fitzsimons Music Company, Lawson Gould, Earthsongs, Choristers Guild, and Heritage Music Company publish his compositions and arrangements.Dr. Thomas has produced two instructional videos “What They See Is What You Get” on choral conducting, with Rodney Eichenberger, and “Body, Mind, Spirit, Voice” on adolescent voices, with Anton Armstrong. His recent book “Way Over in Beulah Lan’. Understanding and Performing the Negro Spiritual” has quickly become a major source in this area of study. The African Diaspora Sacred Music honored Dr. Thomas as a Living Legend. In 2011, Thomas’ dedication to and accomplishments in the choral arts were recognized by his peers in Chorus America, when that organization presented Dr. Thomas with its Distinguished Service Award. He is a past president of the Florida ACDA, and the past president of the Southern Division of ACDA.

Tour B - 7 Nights, 9 days | Extension to SIENA, FLORENCE & CINQUE TERRE Includes the Duomo in Siena as well as Academia and Duomo in Florence. Guided city tour and leisure time in Florence. Transfer from Florence to Milan. En route visit Cinque Terre and three of its villages. Farewell dinner and overnight in Milan before departure from Milan to USA the next morning.TOUR C - 8 Nights, 10 Days | Extension to SIENA, FLORENCE, PISA & VENICE. Includes the Duomo in Siena as well as Academia and Duomo in Florence. Leisure time in Florence. Transfer to Venice with stop at Leaning Tower of Pisa. After overnight in Venice-Mestre take half-day sightseeing tour including Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica. Farewell dinner on Venice Island and overnight in Venice-Mestre before next day’s departure to USA.

MONDAY, June 22, 2015 – DEPARTURE USAFly from USA to Rome.

TUESDAY, June 23, 2015 – ARRIVAL ROMEArrive Rome to be greeted by Perform International team and your English speaking Tour Manager and your coach driver. Panoramic tour with Tour Manager of city to see Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona and more. Welcome dinner and overnight in Rome.

WEDNESDAY, June 24, 2015 – ROMEFirst concert rehearsal after breakfast. Afternoon will include exploring the Vatican Museums and Solemn Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica for the Feast of St. John. Evening rehearsal.THURSDAY, June 25, 2015 – ROMEMorning rehearsal after breakfast. Afternoon visit to Coliseum with your local guide. Early dinner followed by concert rehearsal.FRIDAY, June 26, 2015 – ROME Morning dress rehearsal at selected festival concert venue. Afternoon at leisure to relax before evening finale performance. Early dinner and then festival concert at the Basilica of St. Ignatius (or similar). SATURDAY, June 27, 2015 – FULL DAY CAPRI EXCURSION OR BEGIN TOUR EXTENSION (see Tour Extensions below)This morning either begin a tour extension or, if you are returning to the U.S. the next day, enjoy a day excursion from Rome to Capri. After a drive to Naples and then a ferry to Capri, enjoy some time at leisure in Capri. Your group will have a farewell dinner and then overnight in Rome.SUNDAY, June 28, 2015 – DEPARTURE ROME Transfer to airport for those taking festival tour only.

FESTIVAL ITINERARY & OPTIONS5 Nights, 7 Days - Rome

Tour Extensions beginning June 27, 2015

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