|
July 2007 - From July 7-10, Via Musica, together with
Concerts-Austria, one of Europe's premier music tour operators
with offices in Vienna, Austria and Atlanta, Georgia, hosted
the first Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival
in Vienna, Austria, the music capital of the world.
This new global music festival, held at Vienna's world-renowned
Musikverein, featured competitions in the Musikverein's
Magna Auditorium and closed with a Gala Winner-Concert presented
in the "Goldener Saal." Participating in the Summa
Cum Laude Festival were ensembles from the USA, New Zealand,
Austria, Iraq, Ukraine, Germany, China, The Netherlands
and Australia who enthusiastically embraced this unique
opportunity to perform, compete and, most importantly, interact
on an international level.
The prestigious competition was judged by a selection of
top music professionals, including Prof. Erwin Ortner, Alexander
Joel and Dr. Ronald Smart, P.S.M. In addition to the juried
competition, all young international musicians participated
in a series of special workshops and seminars at the University
of Music in Vienna, carefully designed to further develop
interpersonal communications and teamwork. At one memorable
workshop, three choirs from the Ukraine, China and Australia
practiced and then, as one magnificent intercultural group,
performed a complex and stunning piece together - directed
by each of the three conductors.
The Phoenix Boys Choir, under the baton of Artistic Director
Georg Stangelberger, won first prize in the Treble Choir
category, whereas the Dutch Viotta Youth Orchestra placed
first in the Symphony Orchestra category. "It was a
magnificent way to end our 21-day performing tour through
Europe," said Stangelberger. After we performed the
"Laudi alla Vergine Maria" by Verdi, we received
a standing ovation from the 2,000+ audience in the Musikverein,
including 400 members of the Congressional Youth Leadership
Council (CYLC) visiting Vienna that week."
In addition to establishing a significant and truly international
competition, the focus of the Summa Cum Laude International
Youth Music Festival is to offer the participating youth
the opportunity to create lasting connections across all
borders. To underscore its success in this area, Kelly McSween,
Deputy Director for International Progams at CYLC noted:
"When we were outside the Musikverein after the concert,
our students were cheering all the choirs from the different
countries. Then, the New Zealand boys choir (all fifty of
them) did the 'haka' for our students - it was a very powerful
evening!"
In 2008, the Summa Cum Laude Festival, consisting of both
competitive and non-competitive elements, will be held from
July 5-9, and from July 4-8 in 2009. Performing groups may
participate in the Festival whether they elect to compete
or not. The educational benefits, as well as the opportunities
to create new international friendships, will prove of immense
value to all. For more information about the Festival and
how your performing group can participate, visit www.sclfestival.org
or contact Bram Majtlis at Concerts-Austria USA at (800)
790-4682, email: bmajtlis@imtc-travel.com.
|
