Choirs return from Japan

March 19, 2007 —

Recently, the SVSU choir had a truly unique experience - taking a ten-day tour of Japan over spring break.

22 students from the SVSU choir formed a group of 49 performers in conjunction with Bay Choral. The group traveled across Japan, and made multiple stops along the way to share their music.

Deborah Martin, Office Coordinator of the Office of International Programs, gave an overview of the week's itinerary.

"We were hosted by three different universities that have affiliations with SVSU. The first was Tenrikyo University, where the choir was also treated to traditional Japanese performances."

Following their stay at Tenrikyo, the group traveled to Japan Center for Michigan Universities (JCMU) to perform. According to Martin it was a great venue and the concert was well attended.

The final performance was in Tokushima, Saginaw's sister city, and the group was hosted by Shikoku University, SVSU's sister school.

"That concert was by far the best and our hosts were extremely warm and kind," Martin said. "We were accompanied by Robert Luxton from their International Programs Office and two students from Shikoku, one of whom studied at SVSU last year."

According to Martin, the choir visited three different cities in Japan - Tokushima, Kyoto, and Hiroshima. Martin said that all three cities were amazing, and was especially moved by the Peace Museum and Park in Hiroshima.

Kaila Sikes, a senior at SVSU, was one of the students who traveled to Japan with the choir. "My overall impression of the trip was very favorable. It was such a wonderful experience," she said. "Not only did I get to experience the life of another country first hand by exploring on my own, I got to do it with people I already knew."

She added that she would go back to Japan "in a heartbeat if I had the money."

Martin does not know where the next choir trip will be, but before thinking about that, she thinks a little rest is in order. "We need to recover from this one first."