The City College concert choir will travel to Australia on July 4, 2004, to perform in Sydney’s prestigious opera house.
The choir’s artistic director and department chair, Nathan Kreitzer, said that singers and non-singers alike are welcome on this tour down under
The trip will also include 10 days of sightseeing in Sydney and Cairns. The choir will leave June 29, and return July 9.
“The days are going to be full of touring and activities,” Kreitzer said. “The tour company handles all the details. It’s quite nice.”
The tour will begin in Sydney. After the performance the group will travel to Cairns where they will tour the rainforest by train. They will visit the Aboriginal village of Tjapukai, and try a hand at throwing a boomerang or spear. Travelers will also be able to explore the Great Barrier Reef by scuba diving or snorkeling.
Kreitzer said that he expects an estimated 30 members of the 120-person choir to attend the trip, but there is no limit. The Santa Barbara choir will join eight or nine choirs from all over the country, for a combined 500-member choir that will perform on the Forth of July, in Sydney.
“It’s probably the biggest thing this choir has ever done,” Kreitzer said. 
America’s preeminent choral conductor, Dr. William Hall, will direct the chorus in the performance of the Berlioz “Requiem” at the opera house. The production celebrates America’s Independence Day, and might be followed by a firework display.
“I think it will be an incredible event for everyone,” Kreitzer said.
He said the trip will cost each traveler $2,800. A deposit was due in October but people can join until Jan.1, 2004.
“If you decided to go to Australia on your own, to do what were doing, we’re probably paying half price,” Kreitzer said.
“It’s just going to be a great trip.”
Rehearsals start in January at 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday. For details on attending or sponsoring a student on this trip, contact Kreitzer at ext. 2230.