SPOTLIGHT: Walton High School Orchestra Tours Czech Republic and Austria

The renowned Walton High School Orchestra of Marietta, Georgia, recently returned from a successful tour of the Czech Republic and Austria, with stops in Prague, Salzburg, Eisenstadt, and Vienna. The orchestra was conducted by director Perry Holbrook and assistant director Sara Grimes. Their first tour performance was in Prague, at a packed-house concert in Dvořák Hall at the Rudolphinum, one of Europe’s oldest and acoustically superior concert halls, where they had multiple standing ovations and an audience pleading for more music.

Next, after visiting Mozart’s birthplace of Salzburg, Austria, they stopped in Eisenstadt, where the famed composer Joseph Haydn once lived and worked. They visited Schloss Esterházy, a palace constructed in the 13th century and owned by the Hungarian Esterházy family. There, they performed a concert with fellow ensemble Carmel High School Orchestra of Indiana at the Haydnsaal, named after Haydn himself, with beautifully ornate artwork and prime acoustics inside.

Their final tour stop was in Vienna, Austria’s capital city, where they visited Schloss Schönbrunn, a magnificent palace once owned by the Habsburg family and built in imitation of the iconic Versailles. There, they performed for a highly appreciative audience at the Orangerie, a grand hall within the palace featuring large windows and views of the orange trees outside in the garden. The tour was rounded out in high fashion in Vienna before they returned home the following day.

Repertoire highlights from the tour included Aaron Copelands “Hoedown” from Rodeo, Reinhold Gliére’s Russian Sailor’s Dance, the premiere of director Perry Holbrook’s new work, Someday, and Camille Saint Saëns’ Cello Concerto no. 1 featuring Holbrook’s daughter, Bailey Holbrook, as soloist.

Featured below is a photo gallery of some of their best tour highlights. We were delighted to work with one of the country’s finest high school orchestras on their tour to Eastern Europe. Congratulations, Walton High School Orchestra, and we hope to collaborate with you again on a future tour!

Utah Chamber Artists Tour Germany, Austria, and Czech Republic

The Utah Chamber Artists of Sandy, Utah, recently returned from a concert tour of Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. Music Director Barlow Bradford and Executive Director Rebecca Durham briefly highlighted some of their memorable concert experiences abroad-

“We enjoyed singing in every venue. It was an embarrassment of riches as we sang in
one stunning Baroque/Rococo church after another. The choir felt a warm reception from those in attendance and really felt fortunate to have the opportunity to perform in the selected churches and halls.”

Concert in St. Lukaskirche-

“The venue was very good and we had a great experience for our first concert. A large percentage of the audience was there because of Dick and Brenda Miles and their
church affiliation.”

Concert at St. Michael Basilica-

“Really a lovely venue and the choir loved it. Many of the same LDS audience came
back to this concert and it was difficult to distinguish who was there “off the street”.

Recital in Dom zu Salzburg-

“This was an amazing venue and we enjoyed a warm reception by all of those who
were there while we sang.”

Recital in the Innsbruck Dom St. Jakob-

“Another amazing venue and we enjoyed singing for those were there. We also sang a
few numbers in the Wilten Abbey.”

Recital in Melk Abbey-

“What a gorgeous place to sing! The acoustic was wonderful and there was an
intimacy there that was very inspiring.”

Concert in the Minoritenkirche-

“This was a very well-attended concert. Julia was a wonderful host and we had a great
experience there. From what I could tell, the choir had a difficult time hearing each
other but the sound out in the hall was very good.”

Participation in Mass and concert at St. Stephansdom-

“The mass went really well and the clergy and staff were gracious and welcoming.
The choir enjoyed it and it was a wonderful experience to have the opportunity to sing
a service in such an iconic venue.”

Concert in the Church of St. Simon and Judah Concert Hall-

“Wow, what an audience! The place was packed. We didn’t really expect that many
people and so it was a very rewarding way to wrap up the tour. We also really liked
the venue and those in attendance were very receptive.”