Each year, the Rhodes Singers go on a brief regional tour, and this year, our destination was New Orleans, with a few stops in other Louisiana towns. Being a freshman, I had no idea what to expect of tour, but I was incredibly pleased, both with our performances, and with the family-like quality that the group gained with this trip.
Our first performance was right across the street from campus at Evergreen in collaboration with Otterbein University’s choir, who was at the end of their own tour. After a performance at Louisiana Tech University, we were received with great hospitality and encouragement in Mandeville at one of our member’s home churches. It was this concert in the little lake-side town of Mandeville where we became especially close. In our pre-concert tradition, we gathered in a circle and shared what our hopes were for the upcoming performance, and for the trip as a whole. Though we had been anxious, as this would be our first concert without another group performing alongside us, our growing friendships made for a great night, for the audience, and especially for us as a chorus.
Photo Courtesy of Ye Zheng
Finally, we made it to New Orleans, and our ensemble’s president Carolyn hosted us at her home for brunch, then we were able to spend the remainder of the day exploring the city and enjoying the company of fellow singers. I was lucky to be with a friend who’s very familiar with NOLA, as it was the first time I’d been there. :)
St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans
Pausing for a picture in the city
The Congo Square Music Festival in the Louis Armstrong Park
Sunday morning, we began our day with a performance at a nearby Episcopal church and were hosted after the service by President and Mrs. Troutt in their New Orleans home for King Cake and a tour of the historic neighborhood. The trip ended with a bang—we had our final performance at another student’s church, and proved to ourselves that we were able to have a wonderful day despite exhaustion from traveling, and the stresses of school which were on our minds.
Delicious King cake at the Troutt’s home
Overall, tour was a huge success. We became so much closer as a group, got to visit a new region, and had the joy of sharing our music with those outside of the Rhodes College community. If you have any interest in singing and the social aspect of music performance, I would highly recommend Rhodes Singers or any of our music ensembles!
Relaxing at the Troutt’s home before our final performance (Photo courtesy of Emma Gotbaum)
