In July, members of the IVC Chorale joined choirs from across the U.S. when they traveled to France to participate in the Paris Choral Festival, commemorating the 80th Anniversary of D-Day and the Liberation of France. The group visited Normandy, including Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery, where they performed during a wreath-laying ceremony. They also explored cultural sites like Mont Saint-Michel and the Rouen Cathedral, famously painted by Claude Monet.
To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first Impressionist exhibition, they visited Monet’s home in Giverny before heading to Paris. In Paris, the singers joined a 350-voice choir to perform the Duruflé Requiem at the Church of the Madeleine under the direction of Dr. Craig Jessop. They also toured Paris and visited the Louvre Museum.
“This transformative experience, supported by the IVC Foundation, broadened the students' worldviews and deepened their connection to music as a universal language,” says Choral/Vocal Music Director Matthew Tressler.