ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHAMBER STRINGS PERFORM AUSTRIA AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC


The St. Paul’s Episcopal School Chamber Strings from Mobile, AL departed the United States December 27th, 2012 for a ten day performance tour of Austria and the Czech Republic. The trip was presented through Music Celebrations International. While loaded with numerous sightseeing adventures the focus remained on three performance venues in Bad Ischl (outside Salzburg), Vienna, and Prague.


Director Holly Compton was awarded a certificate honoring the group and marking January 2, 2013 for their contribution to the European Cultural Initiative for the Young Generation. The acknowledgement was presented by Dr. Jutta Unkart – Seifert, renowned Austrian soprano and President of the organization. The declaration states:” In the spirit of artistic excellence and intellectual


engagement, you have Chamber Strings at Schonbrunn Palace


Of particular note was the Vienna performance where the group performed in the Orangerie of the Schönbrunn Palace, the summer home of Habsburgs where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri famously competed for a commission from Emperor Joseph II.


Helmut Wondra, Central and Eastern Europe concert manager for MCI observed after this performance: “The young musicians from the St. Paul’s Episcopal School were not intimidated by the audience of about 300 people who came to see and hear them perform – in contrary: they played with much energy and passion and it seemed that the venue and the enthusiastic crowd motivated them to perform especially well. The audience was delighted by the concert and generously gave donations generated through this concert for the sake of helping the street children in Arad, Romania. Congratulations to the St. Paul’s Episcopal School Chamber Strings and to their director Holly A. Compton for the musical excellence which they have shown in Vienna. We would be happy to welcome you back!”


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contributed an important element to the global network of culture, peace and mutual respect between the world’s peoples. It is a necessity of our times to encourage in the younger generation a commitment to dialog. We each hold in our hearts and hand the imperative to contribute to


a culture understanding. Music,


especially, speaks the clearest and most poignant language of reconciliation and every musician must be aware that he or she bears this honourable responsibility.”


After the Orangerie performance, the ensemble was honored at the home of Dr. Juntta Unkart-Seifert with a lavish dinner and a lecture from Professor Kudlak, a 30 year veteran of the Vienna Philharmonic.


The group also performed in Hlalhol Hall in Prague, one of the purest and most prominent art nouveau monuments of its kind. It boasts numerous original busts of directors who called Hlahlol their home base and enjoys being ranked amongst the most beloved Eastern European monuments of


cultural heritage.


Just outside Salzburg, the Chamber Strings performed in the spa town of Bad Ischl at Trinkhalle. The youngest of the three venues, Trinkhalle was constructed in 1928 originally as the “Soolenbadhaus” spa. Decades later it was altered and extended and has become a fixed part of cultural, and social events in the town.


of


AVA President Jody Powell accompanied the Chamber Strings throughout the trip. Mr. Powell reflected: “ Two times I have had the opportunity to travel internationally with the St. Paul’s Chamber Strings. Having seen them perform in London, England in 2008- 2009 at St. John’s Smith Square and the Westminster Concert Hall, where under the direction of Holly Compton, they were exquisite. Also this past Holiday Season of 2012-2013 in Austria at Bad Ischl, in the Emperor Franz Josef Hall, in Vienna in the Orangerie, and in Prague, Czech Republic at Hlahol Hall. They are disciplined and dynamic, and bring an interpretation through a various choices of music, and a stage presence beyond that usually witnessed with this age. I am proud to be a faculty member of a school that supports the Fine Arts such as this.”


Despite an extensive performance agenda, the group was afforded many opportunities for tourism and to blend with the Austrian and Czech Republic cultures. Upon arrival in Munich, the group was transported to the town of Dachau and visited the Concentration Camp and Memorial Site. Salzburg sites included Mirabel Palace and Gardens, Mozart Square,


the Dom


Cathedral, University Church, Mozarthaus (Mozart’s Birthplace), a cable car ride up to the cities Fortress, the Salt Mines in Hallein, Mondsee church (the site of “The Sound


wedding),


of Music” and world


famous Melk Abbey. In Vienna,


Orangerie at Schonbrunn the group


experienced a modern interactive sound museum, Haus der Music which


February/March 2013


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