Merit Pages News
(March 31, 2023) — The Chamber Singers from Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic toured Puerto Rico during spring break this past month, where they gave three live performances and relished a week in the Caribbean.
Among the student performers was Junior Grace Michalowski of Haddam Neck, a senior who majors in Music. “Last year, it felt like we were just singing for our peers,” said Michalowski, “and this time it felt, at least to me, more like we were actually sharing our music with other people.”
One day, the group went to an alley with a mosaic-tiled wall behind a Cafe in Old San Juan. “We sat there and just had a discussion for two and a half hours, drinking coffee and lots of apple juice,” said Michalowski. “We grew close enough to be able to share personal stories.”
Directed by Music Professor David Belles, the Chamber Singers go on an annual spring break tour. Last year’s tour stops included Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
This year’s itinerary included two performances at the Parroquia Stella Maris, a Catholic church in San Juan. The tour’s final performance took place on March 13th at Escuela de Bellas Artes in Bayamon, a performing arts school. The singers were also able to engage with members of high school ensembles from Escuela de Bellas Artes and Escuela de Libre de Musica in San Juan.
