A JOURNEY BUILT AROUND MUSIC

Peace & Freedom

In a world yearning for healing, understanding, and hope, Peace & Freedom explores the enduring human search for reconciliation—with one another, with the earth, and with ourselves.

Through music of extraordinary beauty and emotional depth, the program moves from quiet prayer to joyful celebration, reminding us that peace is not simply the absence of conflict, but the presence of compassion, justice, hope, and love.

The repertoire brings together composers whose music reflects the countries, cultures, and ideas we will encounter along the journey.

The Music

I. A Prayer for Peace

Dona Nobis Pacem

Pēteris Vasks

Latvian composer Pēteris Vasks begins our program with one of humanity's simplest and most enduring prayers: Grant us peace.

His luminous music creates a space for reflection, vulnerability, and hope.

II. Love in Action

Ubi Caritas

Ola Gjeilo

Where charity and love are, God is there.

Gjeilo's warm, flowing setting reminds us that peace begins in community—in the ways we care for and respond to one another.

III. The Earth Sings

The Colour of Earth

Nicholas Ryan Kelly

Peace also asks us to consider our relationship with the natural world.

Kelly's evocative music celebrates the beauty, diversity, and vitality of the earth and our shared responsibility for its care.

IV. Stories That Bind Us

The Golden Harp

Gwyneth Walker

Music carries memory across generations.

Through storytelling, folk influence, and vibrant musical language, Walker celebrates the songs and stories that connect people across cultures.

V. The Song of Freedom

Freedom Trilogy

Paul Halley

Our program concludes with an exuberant affirmation of freedom, courage, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Rhythmic energy and joyful expression bring the journey to a powerful conclusion: peace is something we create together.

FOUR COUNTRIES. ONE MUSICAL JOURNEY.

Stockholm, Sweden

Our journey begins in Stockholm, where singers gather for our first rehearsal and prepare the ensemble for the performances ahead.

We will experience one of Europe's most beautiful capitals while exploring its extraordinary history, architecture, museums, and musical culture.

PERFORMANCE

Tallinn, Estonia

From Stockholm, we travel across the Baltic Sea to Tallinn.

Its remarkably preserved medieval center, churches, cultural landmarks, and centuries of history make Tallinn one of Northern Europe's most distinctive cities.

Tallinn is our opportunity to explore and experience Estonia without the demands of a performance day.

PERFORMANCE

Riga, Latvia

Our journey continues in Riga, a city with one of the world's great choral traditions.

Latvia's extraordinary singing culture makes Riga especially meaningful for this program—and performing the music of Latvian composer Pēteris Vasks in his homeland gives the journey a particularly powerful connection between repertoire and place.

PERFORMANCE

Vilnius, Lithuania

We conclude in Vilnius, whose historic center, churches, university, and layered cultural history provide a remarkable setting for the final days of the journey.

Our final performance brings the ensemble together one last time before we celebrate everything we have experienced and created.

PERFORMANCE

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

You don't need to belong to a large touring choir.

Europe 2027 is open to singers who are ready to prepare the repertoire and become part of the ChoralVia ensemble.

COME ON YOUR OWN

Individual singers are welcome. You do not need to be a member of one of the participating choruses.

BRING A GROUP

Invite several singers from your choir, church, school, or community to participate together.

BRING YOUR CHOIR

Choirs and choral programs may participate as a group while retaining their own organizational identity.

TRAVEL WITHOUT SINGING

Spouses, partners, family members, friends, and other non-singing companions are also welcome.

Everyone travels together. Singers become one ensemble.

THE MUSICAL EXPERIENCE

Participating singers should arrive with the repertoire fully prepared.

Practice resources and preparation information will be provided in advance where available. Singers associated with participating organizations may also have opportunities for rehearsals before departure.

Once in Europe, the full ChoralVia ensemble will rehearse together before the first performance, with additional rehearsal time incorporated into the journey as needed.

The goal is not simply to sing while traveling.

We are creating an excellent ensemble specifically for this journey.

THE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE

ChoralVia provides the artistic leadership for Europe 2027 and works directly with Music Celebrations International to coordinate the travel experience.

Professional arrangements include international and local transportation, hotels, sightseeing, guides, concert logistics, and tour management.

Participants may choose either a group air package from San Francisco or a land-only option and arrange their own international flights.

This makes the journey accessible to singers joining ChoralVia from throughout the United States and beyond.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Depending on the selected package, the tour includes:

• International airfare from San Francisco for participants choosing the air-inclusive package

• Deluxe motorcoach transportation during the tour

• Hotel accommodations

• Daily breakfast and selected additional meals

• Professionally coordinated concert arrangements

• Rehearsal and performance logistics

• Guided sightseeing and excursions

• Museum and attraction admissions included in the itinerary

• Full-time professional tour management

• Individual registration and payment processing through Music Celebrations International

• Pre-departure travel information

• MCI tour liability coverage

A complete itinerary and current package details will be provided during registration.

TOUR PRICING

Final pricing is based on the total number of participants traveling.

LAND + AIR FROM SAN FRANCISCO

60–69 travelers: $5,572 per person
70–79 travelers: $5,283 per person
80–89 travelers: $5,065 per person
90–94 travelers: $4,899 per person

LAND ONLY

60–69 travelers: $4,189 per person
70–79 travelers: $3,917 per person
80–89 travelers: $3,611 per person
90–94 travelers: $3,555 per person

Single supplement: $836

Land-only participants arrange and purchase their own round-trip transportation to and from Europe.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I have to sing in one of Don Scott Carpenter's choruses?

No. ChoralVia exists specifically to make these opportunities available beyond any single choir. Qualified singers may participate from anywhere.

Is there an audition?

There is currently no formal audition. Singers should be musically confident, capable of preparing their music independently, and committed to arriving fully prepared.

Do I have to sing?

No. Non-singing companions are welcome to participate in the travel experience.

Can a small choir participate?

Absolutely. That is one of the primary reasons ChoralVia exists. A choir does not need enough participants to organize an entire international tour independently.

Can students participate?

School and youth groups may participate when appropriate arrangements, supervision, and program requirements are in place. Directors interested in bringing students should contact ChoralVia directly.

Do I need to depart from San Francisco?

No. Participants who arrange their own international flights should select the land-only package and meet the group in Europe.

Can I extend my European trip?

Yes. Participants choosing independent airfare may arrange additional travel before or after the ChoralVia journey.

Will rehearsal resources be available?

Practice materials will be provided where available to help singers prepare before departure.

Do I purchase my own music?

Participants are responsible for obtaining the required scores. Ordering information will be provided for each work.

Is travel insurance required?

Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Music Celebrations International provides information about available coverage and applicable deadlines during registration.

READY TO SING WITH US?

Your choir may be small. The opportunity doesn't have to be.

Join singers from different communities for eleven unforgettable days of music, performance, friendship, and discovery across Sweden and the Baltics.

March 9–19, 2027

Come as a choir. Come as a group. Come on your own.

REGISTER FOR EUROPE 2027

ASK A QUESTION

ChoralVia

International Choral Journeys

Bringing singers together around the world.

Travel arrangements, tours, and concerts coordinated with Music Celebrations International.