Approximately 40 singers from the Kellogg Community College choirs will embark on an international concert tour next month to the Baltics, with performances in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
The trip, which runs June 16 through 24, is KCC’s third international concert tour in the College’s almost 70-year history; the choirs toured Ireland and Italy in 2012 and 2014, respectively.
Click here to donate to support the Baltics tour online.
Below, KCC Music Area Coordinator and Vocal Arts Director Dr. Gerald Case-Blanchard answers questions about the tour as choir members prepare for their final pre-tour concerts in early June.
Tell us about the tour to the Baltics. Why tour these locations?
Because of the singing culture of the Baltics. These three distinct and unique countries are renowned for their rich choral singing traditions, deeply rooted in their national identity, history and their cultural expression.
Kellogg Community College’s Choral Union will embark on its third international concert tour of Europe. During the tour, we will present three formal concerts and engage in a musical collaboration with a Lithuanian chamber choir. In addition to our performances, we will explore cultural landmarks and historical sites in each country we visit.
Our itinerary includes opportunities to share meals, fellowship and music with our hosts, allowing for meaningful cultural exchange. We will perform for audiences in both major metropolitan centers (such as Vilnius, Lithuania; Riga, Latvia; and Tallin, Estonia) and smaller local villages. There will be a host of informal performances in addition to the scheduled ones.
In all aspects of this journey, we will proudly serve as musical ambassadors, representing not only our country but also Kellogg Community College.
What makes these destinations especially meaningful for music students?
These countries hold a revered place in the global choral community. Singing in venues where choral music has been a form of national expression and resilience, especially during historical events like Estonia’s Singing Revolution, offers powerful context and inspiration.
Each of these countries have rich, unique histories and traditions, particularly in choral music. Students experience these cultures firsthand, not just as tourists or from a history book but as active participants.
What do you hope your students will take away from this experience, artistically, personally or academically?
Basically, a broader global perspective, first and foremost. For many students, it may be their first time traveling abroad. Engaging with different worldviews and ways of life broadens their understanding of the world and their place in it.
From an artistic standpoint, it’s a learning opportunity to work with other world-class conductors and to experience choral singing from other groups from around the world.
Finally, community. Shared travel and performance experiences foster deep bonds within the choir and with international peers, building lifelong memories and networks.
How do you think experiencing another culture firsthand deepens students’ understanding of the arts?
Simply put, experiencing another culture firsthand enriches students’ understanding of the arts by offering context, authenticity and an emotional response that cannot be fully captured in a classroom setting. Being immersed in the environment where a particular art form originated allows students to connect more deeply with its meaning and purpose.
As is often said in the arts, the most powerful way to understand a work is to experience it in the place where it was created, surrounded by the culture, history and people that shaped it.
What aspect or activity related to the trip are you especially excited for?
What I’m most looking forward to is the opportunity to perform and to engage in meaningful, one-on-one conversations with residents of our host countries. These personal interactions, combined with sharing our music, create a powerful cultural exchange that goes beyond the stage and allows for deeper understanding and connection.
Anything else you’d like to say?
As I conclude my 20th year as director of Vocal Music at Kellogg Community College, I can think of no more meaningful way to begin my 21st than with this upcoming international concert tour.
Since our choirs began touring in 2006, we’ve had the privilege of performing in numerous cities and states across the country. In 2012, we took our first steps onto the international stage with a concert tour throughout Ireland, followed two years later by an unforgettable journey through Italy, where we performed in some of the world’s most breathtaking churches and cathedrals — including a visit to the Vatican, which was truly awe-inspiring.
Now we are preparing to bring our music to a new part of Europe — the Baltic region — and we are all thrilled for the opportunity to once again serve as musical ambassadors for Kellogg Community College.
As director, I am incredibly proud of the dedication, artistry and commitment shown by our singers. Just as importantly, I am deeply grateful to our community, whose support has helped us not only reach but exceed our financial goals for this tour.
For more information about the upcoming Baltics tour, concerts or other music programming at the College, contact Case-Blanchard at case-blanchardg@kellogg.edu or 269-565-7859. For more information about music studies at KCC, visit kellogg.edu/music.