BGSU choir ensembles embark on once-in-a-lifetime European tour

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4. BGSU choir ensembles embark on once-in-a-lifetime European tour

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - The Bowling Green State University Men's Chorus and Volaré are embarking on a 10-day cross-continental journey in which they will travel to Paris, London and Cardiff, Wales, to perform in a series of historic venues, ranging from a 900-year-old Welsh cathedral to a Paris building designed under the direction of Napoleon Bonaparte to a domed church steps from the River Thames that was once destroyed in the Great Fire of London and rebuilt.

Underscoring the top-ranked BGSU experience, the chance for both ensembles to perform at memorable venues is a highlight of being in a BGSU choir and a memorable opportunity to improve, said Richard Schnipke, D.M.A., director of choral activities and an associate professor in the College of Musical Arts.

"One of the things I love about touring, whether it's international or local, is that the choir gets better all the time," Schnipke said. "We have more time to keep refining what we're doing, so you keep taking the work you did during the semester and elevating at each performance.

"I find so much enjoyment in bringing students to places they haven't seen before and have them experience new cultures. Then you add the music-making part, and it's such a cool, unique thing we get to do."

The ensembles fundraised during the 2025-26 academic year to help jumpstart the journey, on which 99 total travelers from BGSU will bring the University's long-standing commitment to music to new audiences across three major European cities.

Both organizations, which are auditioned and open to non-music majors, often become integral parts of the BGSU experience for their members.

Volaré president Mackenzie Jones, a junior from Van Wert, Ohio, said one of the best parts of the ensemble is that it creates a network of students - from all degree programs and career interests - who love music.

"For Volaré, a lot of our members are non-music majors, so this is really their outlet to connect with others through music," Jones said. "This group is special because we're not only connecting on a personal level, but we also get to sing music that brings us together. To get to travel while doing that is even better."

Anthony Stout, a junior from Oak Harbor, Ohio, and the president of the BGSU Men's Chorus, said traveling with the ensemble has been among his favorite experiences at the University.

"The opportunity in my three years here to travel all around the country has really been transformative for me," Stout said. "Being able to go out and see the world not only does a lot for character development, but you have a more open mind when you see there's a whole world out there. It's been a very positive experience for me."

In total, the two ensembles are scheduled to perform six times in 10 days as part of a packed schedule of sightseeing, traveling and experiencing three capital cities.

The journey to perform at a collection of historical venues will be a chance to merge the study of music with history. The BGSU choirs also will perform at Bath Abbey in England - its origins date to the seventh century - a medieval castle in Wales and Notre Dame des Blancs Manteaux in Paris, which was founded in 1258.

Emily Pence Brown, Ph.D., the director of Volaré and an associate professor in the College of Musical Arts, said the experience of traveling far from home during college often creates memories that students will never forget.

"I was able to study abroad in London during my master's program, and that was such a transformative experience for me," she said. "To go with this group of students and my colleagues and only have the pleasure of singing at places, it's really all about making music and enjoying each other's company. I can only hope this trip is transformative for them, too."