“As part of Grosse Pointe South’s Choir program, we believe it is important to schedule a number of performances that introduce the choir directly to the local culture and allow them to interact with their peers there,” said Grosse Pointe South Choir Director Ellen Bowen.  “The experience was a successful cultural exchange—many of our new friends from Athens and Crete have reconnected with us since then through our Facebook page and share with us how much they enjoyed the choir’s performance.”

Every two years, the choir travels to a different country as Ambassadors of Friendship and learn about the history and culture of the country they are visiting. 

During the 2010 trip, students performed as part of the cultural series at the University of Crete, sang and marched in the City of Athens Carnival Parade, where they were the center stage opening act, and entertained the audience at the Rethymon Stadium in Crete at the invitation of the Mayor.

The show choir also participated in recitals in Athens at a public performing arts school, a private school, and at the Mikis Theodorakis Theatre as part of a fundraising concert for Special Needs Vocational Training Center. At that event, Athens College-Psychico President David William Rupp, Ph.D. was in attendance. The group was delighted to discover Rupp is a 1962 graduate of Grosse Pointe South High School, then called “The High.”

As part of their diverse repertoir,e the students sang the national anthem of Greece, “Let There Be Peace of Earth,” in English and Greek, as well as Greek folk and pop music.  Senior Alex Papas even performed a Top 40 Greek song.

In a letter to Bowen after the trip, chaperone Harry Harris said, “I have never felt as much pride as I did last week. People in Athens and Crete told me more than once how impressed they were by our entire group, on both a professional and social level. I’ll never forget this merging of my own two realities, the American and the Greek.” 

In order to raise funds for the trip, many groups and individuals lent a hand. Among their efforts were: a 120-family garage sale; a Greece Benefit Concert, sponsored by Flame Heating, Cooling & Electrical, O’Brien Ford and City Kitchen; a wrapping paper sale by students; caroling during the holiday season; and bottle collection. One student even baked cakes for birthdays and special events.

Added Bowen, “We are truly proud of each and every one of our students, chaperones and administrators. Everyone went through a remarkable amount of effort to make this experience a reality. It was definitely an opportunity that will positively impact those involved for the rest of their lives.”

For more information on the Grosse Pointe South Choir, visit www.gpshouthchoir.org.