Italy Tour 2025
Venice, Italy
From March 29 to April 3, 2025, the International Festival Chorus went on a memorable choir tour to Venice, Italy.
We shared a wonderful time together and presented two uplifting concerts featuring a diverse and moving repertoire.
The tour celebrated sacred music, folk traditions, contemporary choral works, and reflections on peace, resilience, and home. Spanning five thematic sections, the program brought together Renaissance masters, modern composers, and global cultural voices. (see concert repertoire here).
Beyond the music, we explored Venetian culture on group excursions and enjoyed reconnecting with several IFC alumni who joined us from overseas.
Concert | St. Maria Dei Miracoli
Ad-Hoc Performance | St. Mark's Basilica
Concert Repertoire
Section 1: Sacred Roots & Resilience
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If Ye Love Me — Thomas Tallis
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We Rise Again — Leon Dubinsky
Section 2: Songs of Faith and Belonging
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Dahil Sa'Yo — arranged by Ryan Cayabyab
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Calon Lân — John Hughes
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Cantate Domino — Claudio Monteverdi
Section 3: Lament and Consolation
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The Seal Lullaby — Eric Whitacre
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Earth Song — Frank Ticheli
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Crucifixus — Antonio Lotti
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Abide With Me — arranged by Moses Hogan
Section 4: Hope and Harmony
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Bridge Over Troubled Water — Simon & Garfunkel
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Come to Me — Ivo Antognini
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Exultate Justi — Lodovico Grossi da Viadana
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Peace — Adam Paltrowitz
Section 5: The Journey Home
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The Road Home — Stephen Paulus
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Home — Dick Lee
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Sing Your Way Home — Joseph M. Martin
Daily Schedule
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Saturday, 29 March
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Arrivals - morning, early afternoon
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Suggested arrival to Venice no later than 1:00-3:00 pm local time
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4:00 pm - Meet in front of Venice Santa Lucia railway station
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5:00 pm - Rehearsal at Pizzeria Ae Oche
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7:30 pm - Pizza dinner at Pizzeria Ae Oche
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Group evening meal & tour debrief with all participants
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Sunday, 30 March
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Meet in front of Venice Santa Lucia railway station
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9:00 am - Grand Canal boat ride & walking tour of St. Mark district
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Lunch on your own
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3:00 pm - Rehearsal at Pizzeria Ae Oche
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Dinner on your own
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Optional evening tour of bacari (Venetian wine-bars)
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Monday, 31 March
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Meet in front of Venice Santa Lucia railway station
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10:00 am - Guided walk to St. George’s Anglican Church
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12:30 pm - Lunch on your own
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3:30 pm - Concert rehearsal at St. George’s
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5:30 pm - Concert at St. George’s
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7:30 pm - Dinner on your own
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8:15 pm - Meet in Piazzetta dei Leoncini (Next to St. Mark’s Basilica)
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8:30 pm - Entry into St. Mark's Basilica
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9:30 pm - End visit of St. Mark's Basilica
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Tuesday, 1 April
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Free Day
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Optional excursion of Venetian islands by private boat
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Wednesday, 2 April
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Free time - may propose optional tour
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Lunch on your own
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3:00 pm - Rehearsal at Pizzeria Ae Oche
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4:30 pm - Make way to Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli
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5:00 pm - Sound check at Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli
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6:30 pm - Concert at Santa Maria dei Miracoli
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8:00 pm - Closing Dinner at Paradiso Perduto
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Thursday, 3 April
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Departures
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Optional alternative excursions for those who extend their stay
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