ISSUED: 16 January 2015
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Owens
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — Students and faculty from Shepherd University’s music department will perform at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 106 S. Duke St., Shepherdstown, on Sunday, January 25 at 3 p.m. to raise money for their upcoming concert tour to Italy.
The Northern Italian Medley Tour takes place May 19-28 and is open to students, music alumni, and music enthusiasts. The tour will include visits to Milan, Alba, Cinque Terre, Pisa, and Rome. It will also include a general audience with Pope Francis. Shepherd music students will participate as guest artists at the Alba Music Festival, which attracts more than 10,000 people each year according to the festival’s website.
Dr. Robert Tudor, music department chair, said the Shepherd students participating in the festival will benefit in a number of ways. He said they will be able to immerse themselves in Italian culture and be challenged musically.
“There’s value in preparing the music ahead of time and preparing a repertoire that they may not be able to do here at home,” Tudor said.
At the festival, Shepherd students will be performing in groups with musicians and conductors from all over the world.
“That in itself is a really exciting cultural experience and one they have not had on tours before,” Tudor said. “This really pushes them outside that comfort zone into a place where it’s just them, their instrument, and their musical knowledge, which is a fantastic learning opportunity for them.”
And Tudor points out the trip to Italy will offer a professional boost.
“One of the things that students will be able to do after this is to say they were a featured artist at the Alba International Music Festival, which is fantastic, genuine credit they can put on their résumé,” he said.
The concert at St. Agnes is one of two planned to raise money to help students pay for the trip. Another is scheduled for Saturday, February 21, at 7 p.m. at the Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church, 100 W. Washington St.
The concerts are free and open to the public, but donations will be accepted. All money raised will be divided equally among the students to assist with their travel expenses. For more information, call 304-876-5237.
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