New Prague students sing across Europe

Richard Scrivener and Andrew Scheiber of New Prague were among 300 students from across Minnesota that traveled through Europe earlier this summer. The two were nominated by New Prague High School choir teacher Ryan Uttech to be part of the Minnesota Ambassadors of Music to Europe that toured from July 6- 21.

Minnesota Ambassadors of Music is made up of students that have been nominated by high school choir and band directors from across the state. Nominations are based on the students’ musicianship and their character. The program was founded in 1989 and there have been 13 trips since then with more than 2,500 Minnesota students participating. Tour coordinators are Joni Sutton and Chip Williams, who is also the director of the band during the trip. Choir director for the trip is Robin Hughes.

Scrivener, son of Andrew and Julianne Scrivener of New Prague, graduated from New Prague High School this spring. Scheiber is the son of Phillip and Leanne Scheiber of New Prague and will be a senior when school starts this Monday, Aug. 29. They and the other students spent four days rehearsing and then presented a farewell concert at Albertville/St. Michael High School before leaving for Europe. The tour included performances, plus sightseeing, in London, Paris, Crans Montana, Switzerland, Seefeld, Austria, St. Mark’s Cathedral in Venice, Italy and Rothenburg- ob-der-taube, Germany.

Scrivener described the trip as "Amazing." Scheiber said they had a good time. They explained the choir performed 18 songs, the flagship piece was "A New Commandment," which they sang in various churches. The hymn based on John 13:34 was also the last song they sang before they went their separate ways. There was a dark moment during the trip...

To see more on this story pick up the September 1, 2016 print edition of The New Prague Times.