Tours

In May and June 2026, the Southern Crescent Chorale continued its tradition of international touring with an unforgettable journey through Southern Italy, Sicily, and Greece.

The tour marked a special return to Italy, the destination of the Chorale’s first European concert tour in 2007. Nearly two decades later, Chorale members once again shared their music with welcoming audiences in some of the country’s most beautiful and historic settings before traveling on to Greece.

Among the highlights were concerts in the Cathedral of Saints Philip and James in Sorrento, Santa Maria di Valverde in Palermo, and Taormina Cathedral in Sicily. The Chorale also sang in the magnificent Cathedral of Monreale, renowned for its extraordinary mosaics and centuries of history.

In Greece, the Chorale performed at the Fougaro Art Center in Nafplio and experienced the remarkable opportunity to sing in the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus. Celebrated for its nearly perfect acoustics, the fourth-century B.C. amphitheater provided an inspiring and unforgettable setting in which voices could carry throughout the ancient space.

As has often happened on the Chorale’s international tours, music also emerged spontaneously along the way. Several impromptu pop-up concerts delighted fellow travelers and passersby, creating unexpected moments of connection and reminding everyone that some of the most memorable performances are the ones that are not planned.

Beyond the music, Chorale members explored the Amalfi Coast, Capri, Pompeii, Palermo, Taormina, Corinth, Delphi, Nafplio, and Athens. They encountered ancient monuments, breathtaking scenery, distinctive cuisine, and the rich cultural traditions of both countries.

The tour was more than a collection of concerts and destinations. It was a celebration of friendship, cultural exchange, and music’s extraordinary ability to bring people together. The Chorale returned home grateful for the warm hospitality received throughout Italy and Greece—and with memories that will last a lifetime.

SCC 2026 Tour Appearances:
Sorrento, Italy — Cathedral of Saints Philip and James
Monreale, Sicily — Cathedral of Monreale
Palermo, Sicily — Santa Maria di Valverde
Taormina, Sicily — Taormina Cathedral
Epidaurus, Greece — Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
Nafplio, Greece — Fougaro Art Center

**Additional spontaneous pop-up concerts were performed throughout the tour.

In June 2023, the Southern Crescent Chorale embarked on an unforgettable European Tour, bringing their signature artistry and heartfelt performances to audiences across Spain and Portugal.

The tour featured concerts and sacred music services in some of the most beautiful and historic venues in the region, including:

• St. George’s Anglican Church in Málaga, Spain – An enchanting evening performance set in the English Garden.
• Nuestra Señora de la Victoria in Málaga – Participating in a special mass with an 8:00 p.m. performance.
• Curia Metropolitana in Granada – A breathtaking concert in the heart of this culturally rich Andalusian city.
• Parador de Córdoba – An outdoor concert on the scenic terrace of this stunning historic site.
• Convento da Graça in Lisbon, Portugal – A moving Sunday morning mass performance to conclude the tour.

This tour served as both a cultural exchange and a celebration of international harmony through music. The Chorale was honored to perform for diverse and welcoming audiences, and grateful for the opportunity to share their passion and talent on a global stage.

The Chorale enjoyed singing in a variety of unexpected and thrilling venues. An impromptu concert in the lobby of our hotel in Norway was so much fun. There were literally people from all over the world there enthusiastically listening to us sing.

SCC 2019 Tour Appearances:

• Stockholm – Gustav Vasa Kyrkan
• Copenhagen – The American Club
• Pearl Seaways Ferry – Columbus Club Stage
• Oslo, Norway – Oslo Opera House
• Bergen, Norway – Bergen Cathedral

Continuing our tradition of touring great Europeans cities, we enjoyed a variety of wonderful venues. The highlight was performing on the grounds of the American Cemetery in Normandy. There was not a dry eye among us!

SCC 2016 Tour Appearances:

• Edinburgh, Scotland – St. Giles’ Cathedral
• London, England – Caffe Concerto London
• Winchester, England – Winchester Cathedral
• Normandy, France – Normandy American Cemetery
• Chartres, France – Chartres Cathedral

In June, 2013, the Southern Crescent Chorale returned to Europe for a third tour. Visiting and performing in Madrid, Toledo and Barcelona, Spain and Provence, France. Amony the many highlights of the tour was performing with a local gospel choir in Provence. The church was packed and each piece whether classical or gospel was enthusiastically received.

SCC 2013 Tour Appearances:

• Escorial Basilica
• Toledo Cathedral
• Abbey of Montserrat
• Monastery of Santa Isabel
• Vaucluse Gospel Singers
• Abbey Saint-Michel de Frigolet

In June, 2010, the Southern Crescent Chorale returned to Europe for a second tour. Visiting and performing in Vienna, the same city as many of the music masters, was a thrilling experience for all of the Chorale. One of the highlights of the tour was the Prague concert which was a collaboration with the Emauzy Choir and Orchestra. Each group performed alone and then joined together to perform several pieces including Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah. It was a moving experience to share the joy of music with our fellow singers in Prague. The Chorale was also inspired by the story of an All Saints Church parishioner who told his story about the day the Berlin Wall fell. He presented the Chorale a plaque with a piece of the wall in appreciation for their performance.

Philip D. Murphy, U.S. Ambassador to Germany, attended that service and said:

In June 2007, the Southern Crescent Chorale traveled to Italy for the Chorale’s first European concert tour.  For eleven days, the Chorale toured the country and shared a joyful and stirring program with welcoming and enthusiastic audiences.  The varied program included opera and oratorio choruses, spirituals, and American show and pop music.

Vittoria Assettati of the Associazione Amici della Musica Sacra in Rome remarked:

“The Southern Crescent Chorale has been a gift for the City of Rome. Under the direction of Janice Folsom, they have performed a very beautiful concert in one of the historical churches of the Eternal City. Thanks to their music, they made alive that church and gave people some unique emotion they will keep with them for years. This choir is one of the best I heard in years. The audience was very enthusiastic about the concert and people did not leave the church until the last note.”