SINGING TOGETHER: Members of Princeton Boychoir, shown here, and Princeton Girlchoir of Westrick Music Academy recently performed in-person concerts in venues in Europe and Canada after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

Following two years of largely virtual rehearsals and performances due to the pandemic, students at Westrick Music Academy have recently returned to singing together in person with other choirs.

Performing under the direction of Artistic Director Lynnel Joy Jenkins, singers from Princeton Girlchoir’s Concert Choir, Cantores, and Ensemble gave concerts in venues throughout Montréal and Québec City, including the Basilica of Notre-Dame. Members of Princeton Boychoir, under the direction of Education Director Fred Meads, made their international debut as part of the Boychoir’s fifth anniversary season, collaborating on concerts in Prague and Vienna. One of the highlights was a performance at Dvorak Hall, home of the Czech Philharmonic, under the baton of composer and conductor Rollo Dilworth.

These young singers, from 12 to 18 years of age, experienced firsthand the power of music to bring people together from different cultures and backgrounds.

“On our last day in Europe, we sang a concert in St. Peter’s Church on the Ringstrasse,” said James C. Teti, a member of Princeton Boychoir Treble Choir and a student at St. Paul Catholic School. “At the beginning of the concert, there were few people in the church. By the end, there were over 150 people. The amazing thing is that almost all of them stayed. By the end of the concert, the pews in the church were full. Attendees filled the church from buttress to naive, even standing in the back to get a glimpse our concert.”

Aishwarya Rao, a member of the Princeton Girlchoir Ensemble and a student at West Windsor Plainsboro High School South said, “This year’s international tour helped me open my eyes to the rich cultural diversity that makes up our world, as well as the commonalities between every country. Not only did I love touring Quebec because I got the chance to put my French skills to the test, but it helped me realize that across the world, everyone has similar passions and similar struggles. Our concerts showed me the power of music. People who didn’t know us came together to listen to us sing and then showered us with love and compliments after.”

Jack Elliott, a member of Princeton Boychoir Young Men’s Ensemble and a student at Hopewell Valley Central High School, said, “We got to work with Dr. Rollo Dilworth, a brilliant conductor that taught the boys of our choir invaluable lessons. Another one of my favorite things about this tour, and the tour experience in general, is meeting people from other choirs. I made friends with those in choirs from Washington, Florida, and New York, and I still talk to some to this day.”

Both the Princeton Girlchoir and Boychoir are programs of Westrick Music Academy. Many performances are planned for the 2022-2023 school year, and it’s not too late to join. To schedule an audition, visit WestrickMusic.org/Auditions.