Student Musicians Tour Europe
Forty-one student musicians, accompanied by six Rivers faculty members, spent a week of spring break on a concert tour of Croatia and Italy, performing at four different venues and impressing audiences with their musicianship. The students—members of the orchestra, jazz bands, and chorus—also had ample time to enjoy the sights, food, and culture at each city and town they visited.
The students’ first base of operations was the Croatian town of Opatija, located on the east coast of the Istrian Peninsula. Known for its blend of Old World culture and modern comforts, Opatija is surrounded by scenic mountains and clear Adriatic waters. After a day of settling in and exploring the town, the students took a bus tour the following day to the towns of Rovinj and Pula on the west coast of the peninsula.
“Our tour guide got us special access to St. Euphemia Church (the altar of which dates back to the 8th century) and the tomb of St. Ephemius, and we had spectacular views of the town and sea as the church is on the highest spot in the area,” said David Tierney, Director of The Rivers School Conservatory and chair of Rivers’ Performing Arts Department. “We then traveled from Rovinj to Pula where we saw their Roman Colosseum, a fairly intact Roman Forum, had a late lunch, then spent the rest of the afternoon rehearsing for an evening concert in the old Military House. The jazz bands played for an audience which included students from the local conservatory's big band—they were given the night off from their rehearsal to come hear us. They and their director were very (and appropriately) impressed.”
The next day, the students travelled to Motovun, a classic medieval hill town located in the center of the peninsula, dating back more than 600 years. The students enjoyed taking photos of the expansive views from the city walls, and tasting the different cheeses, oils, and truffles that the town is known for. Back in Opatija they had an early dinner before heading to Villa Angiolini for the evening concert by the orchestra and chorus in one of the villa’s elegant salons.
After four days in Croatia, the students travelled to Padua and Venice for the remainder of the trip. They arrived in Padua in early afternoon, and toured the park, basilica, and university before having a late lunch and heading to the Auditorio Cassa della Musica for the evening concert by the jazz ensembles. The group ended their long day of travel in Venice.
The following afternoon, the orchestra performed at the Venice Conservatory of Benedetto Marcello, and the balance of the day was spent touring St. Mark's Square and the basilica, various historic sites, and the Rialto Bridge, while enjoying the foods—from pizza to gelato—of Venice.
“We spent our final day in historic Venice—some of us attended Mass in St. Mark's, others toured the Doge's Palace, others took a trip out to Murano to see the glass blowing, some went to the museums. All of us ate and shopped and had a fabulous day,” emailed Mr. Tierney before heading to the airport. “I think we are satiated with Venice and ready to head home, but we are excited about exploring an exchange program with the director of the Venice Conservatory.”
© 2021 The Rivers School. All Rights Reserved
Rivers admits academically qualified students and does not discriminate against students or families on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or ethnic or national origin in the administration of its educational programs, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic programs, and other school-administered programs.