Feb. 28, 2008   

Variations Choral Ensemble to Poland

It’s back to the salt mine for 36 Pellissippi State Technical Community College students!

The Wieliczka Salt Mine has been worked for 900 years, but the students at least have a chance to sing their way out when they perform there in March.

Singing in a salt mine is only one of several venues on tap for the Pellissippi Technical Community College Variations Choral Ensemble.

In the meantime, the choir is working on “Prosze” and “dziekuje.” Those may be the most important words they learn before they leave for their March 1-8 singing tour of Poland.

The group, under the direction of Bill Brewer, will be traveling to Poland March 1-8, and will certainly need to know how to say “please” and “thank you.”

The students are busy learning essential Polish phrases from Pellissippi State archery teacher Elzbieta Tworek, a native of Poland and a former member of the Polish national archery team. Tworek will accompany the group, serving as translator.

Tworek said she is excited about the opportunity to assist Pellissippi students while visiting her native country.

“I’m looking forward to showing to the group places in the capital of Poland -- Warsaw-- and then in Krakow, that have meaning for world culture.

“I hope it will be a very memorable trip to Eastern Europe, and that our students as ambassadors of American youth and culture will bring in many positive experiences and take back lots of unforgettable memories.”

While in Poland, the students, along with eight chaperones, will perform in some unique venues: a palace, a concentration camp and a salt mine. Cities on the itinerary include Warsaw, Lublin, Krakow and Chelm ( Knoxville’s sister city).

The students will kick off their tour at Wilanow Palace in Warsaw, March 3. Brewer said the palace is patterned after Versailles.

On March 4, Variations do two one-hour performances: at Catholic University in Lublin and in the city of Chelm, Knoxville’s sister city.

St. Mary’s Church in Krakow will be the next stop on March 5. The group will get to see an elaborate altar from the Middle Ages, Brewer said.

March 6 is sure to be a day the students will never forget. They will sing a cappella outdoors on the grounds of Auschwitz. “Jesus, I Adore Thee,” a Benedictine chant from the 13 th century and “Earth Song” by Frank Ticheli are the selections.

Brewer said the lyrics of “Earth Song” explain the power of music to help heal:

“…O war and power, You blast and blur. The torn heart cries out in pain. But music and singing have been my refuge…”

An underground chapel in a Wieliczka salt mine will be the site of the choir’s 30-minute a cappella performance on March 7. Then on March 8, the tour will culminate with an hour-long concert at the Young Musician’s Festival at the Krakow Music Academy. Variations was invited to give a featured concert for the students and their parents.

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