News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Transfiguration Choir singing before the Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria.
The Germanic countries do Christmas like nobody else. It would be hard to envision a more immersive Christmas experience than a visit to Vienna at the beginning of advent.
That's the once-in-a-lifetime adventure shared by the Transfiguration Choir, based out of Sisters Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration. Sixteen singers from the choir returned last week from a prestige gig at the Vienna Advent Festival. The Transfiguration Choir was among dozens of vocal ensembles from around the world that participated in the event, staged at venues all across the historic city.
The choir was honored with a position among the choirs performing on the festival's opening night at Vienna's palatial city hall. It was a wonderful experience, despite challenges.
"Acoustically it was challenging," said choir director Stephanie King. "It's so big, the sound kind of gets lost in there."
Overcoming challenges was part of the experience for the singers. In one performance, they had to deviate from their prepared repertoire on the fly, because the previously performing choir had just done one of their planned songs. Like a quarterback calling an audible, King made the adjustment and the choir lifted their voices in song.
One of their performances was in front of Schonbrunn Palace, a royal Hapsburg summer home. One of Europe's famed Christmas markets was going on in the shadow of the palace, and the choir's performance was mic'd and broadcast across the market for thousands to hear.
Speaking of Christmas markets, the choir made a side trip to Nuremburg, Germany, where one of the oldest and largest Christmas markets in Germany is held. The market, which dates back to medieval times, has strict rules that preserve its traditional flavor.
Patrons enjoy hot mulled wine in mugs as they peruse the craftsmen's stalls, contributing to a convivial season's spirit.
The choir also performed at Austria's famed Melk Abbey.
"It's the most stunning place I've ever seen in my life, really," said King. "The acoustics in there are incredible."
For King, one of the highlights of the trip was something distinct from the mighty palaces and bustling markets - it was a performance at a small, community church not unlike her home church in Sisters.
The choir sang in the balcony at Trinitatiskirche Pfarre Hutteldorf Church, then came down to the floor to sing some more. The pastor was so delighted to have them there that he cut his sermon short so the choir could enjoy a Christmas bazaar (replete with goodies) set up in the church basement.
This is the fourth choir trip for the Sisters singers. They do a tour every couple of years, raising funds for the trips in the off-year. King says the trips are an outstanding opportunity to build a team.
The Sisters community can get a taste of the choir's offerings from their most recent adventure.
Each Sunday they will perform songs they sang in Vienna, culminating in two Christmas Eve services on December 24, at 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.
On Christmas Eve, the choir will sing "Patapan"; "Good News, Amen!"; "O, Holy Night"; "Alleluia"; and "Joy to the World/O Come All Ye Faithful!" King says they will also sing "Kling Glockchen Kling" in German.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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