USF Concert Chorale’s Trip to Italy

BY: Aryana Dokter

The University of Sioux Fall’s Concert Chorale embarked on a performance tour to Italy over winter break. The choir visited four major cities including Rome, Assisi, Florence, and Venice experiencing many sites and tourist attractions along the way. The choir began their travels on January 2, 2026 taking a charter bus to Minneapolis for their first flight out. After some delays and eight hours in the Paris airport, they finally arrived in Rome, Italy. In Rome, they experienced the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and the Pantheon. The choir director, Dr. Dave De Hoogh-Kliewer, said that his favorite memory was at the first church the choir performed. He mentioned that the choir had great attitudes the entire trip. “At no point was this attitude more apparent than when we provided music for a lunch eon hosted by the priest at the Basilica of Santa Maria Angeli E Dei Martiri for people experiencing homelessness. Our students sing and perform with spirit, even while jet-lagged and with soggy socks and shoes, giving of themselves to honor those who are marginalized. I’m so proud of our students!” The choir also had the opportunity to sing during mass at St. Peter’s Basilica which is at the heart of Vatican City. This was an incredible opportunity for the choir to share their gift of singing with fellow believers in Christ. The choir continued on to Assisi where they sang a joint concert with Cappella Musicale dell Basilica Papale di San Fran cisco at the Basilica of St. Francis. This opportunity for collaboration helps the students to experience other cultures. The students enjoyed lots of opportunities to explore the small medieval town and experience the culture and food. The choir spent four days in Florence. There, they sang for Epiphany mass and had another joint concert with the Menura Vocal Ensemble. This ensemble’s director composed one of the songs that the choir took on tour entitled, “O Magnum Mysterium.” Additionally, they took a tour of the museum, Galleria dell ’Accademia, where the famous statue David by Michelangelo is housed. Students also had time to explore the city and choose their own adventures. Finally, the choir visited Venice. There, they participated in a mass service at a local church. They also celebrated the trip with one final meal with their tour guide, Elisabetta. Mitchel Groote, a senior choir member, reflected on the trip. Groote said, “My favorite part was the freedom to explore foreign cities. Singing in those cathedral spaces is unique because we get to resonate with multiple centuries old acoustics. This was by far the smoothest USF tour I’ve had to date.” Dr. Dave DeHoogh-Kliewer reflects on why it is important to perform inter nationally. “International travel provides our students with perspective, historical and cultural, noting that people around the world have much in common. The way we live our lives may differ, but all people eat, sleep, work, and need beauty. We shared our offering of love with people through our music ministry, and that sense of com passion was reciprocated by audiences ten-fold,” said De Hoogh-Kliewer. The University of Sioux Falls Concert Chorale tours every other year internationally and is a great opportunity for students to experience other cultures and sing in beautiful places.