The Ÿ«¶«Ó°Ò” College of Arts and Humanities will host the next installment of the Moveable Feast lecture series with an in-depth discussion of the evolution of combat training from the tumultuous Middle Ages to the modern-day military.

Professor of Spanish Grant Gearhart, Ph.D., will present “Steel and Sweat: Knights, Soldiers and the Making of the Tactical Athlete” Feb. 19, at 6 p.m., at Service Brewing in Savannah.

Gearhart, who is also the coordinator of experiential learning for the Department of World Languages and Cultures, says the presentation is all about connecting modern military training with the physical contests of centuries past.

“I wanted to bring back interest in research on the Middle Ages, considering there is a declining interest in the topic within academia,” Gearhart explained. “To connect the past with present in a way that’s digestible for all audiences is something that I feel passionate about bringing to the public.” 

His research focuses on the evolution of fighting styles and explores how these styles reflect the ethics and values of the cultures in which they were developed.

“Today’s soldiers are more than just military personnel, they are athletes,” said Gearhart. “Being a former college athlete sparked my interest in doing this research on the connections between athletics and warriors. I want to show how our modern ideas of soldiers as tactical athletes have historical grounding in the Middle Ages.”

The Moveable Feast series is an immersive learning experience that brings lectures into spaces relevant to their topics. The event is free and open to the public.

Two faculty members from Ÿ«¶«Ó°Ò”’s College of Arts and Humanities will be featured presenting authors during the 2026 Savannah Book Festival on Free Festival Saturday, Feb. 7.

Kendra R. Parker, Ph.D., from the Department of English, will present her book, “Understanding Octavia E. Butler,” at 11:40 a.m. Parker’s work offers insight into the life and literary legacy of Octavia E. Butler, exploring the cultural and imaginative power of one of science fiction’s most influential voices. 

Later that afternoon, Bennett Parten, Ph.D., from the Department of History, will present his book, “Somewhere Toward Freedom: Sherman’s March and the Story of America’s Largest Emancipation,” at 2:20 p.m. Parten offers a different perspective of Sherman’s March to the Sea by delving into the often overlooked story of thousands of enslaved people who experienced the march as a journey into freedom.

Parker and Parten are among more than 40 nationally recognized authors who will present their works during the Free Festival Saturday. All presentations, which are followed by Q&A sessions and book signings, are hosted at venues throughout historic downtown Savannah and are free and open to the public. 

The Savannah Book Festival is one of the Southeast’s premier literary events, drawing thousands of attendees each year.

“If I can run 100 miles, I can finish this degree,” said Katie Logsdon, a recent graduate of Ÿ«¶«Ó°Ò”, avid ultramarathon runner, local business owner, and, proudly, a mother of four children.

In December 2025, Logsdon earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from Georgia Southern at 47 years old – a finish line she reached nearly 30 years after she began. Like many students, after graduating high school, she began taking college courses at what was then Armstrong State College and had completed all of the prerequisite courses required for her degree. With one final left to go in the semester, she looked forward to completing her program in the near future.

“The final was supposed to be in early December 2002, but it got pushed back. I took it days before my water broke, and I was in labor for 18 hours,” stated Logsdon.

After her daughter was born, she made the difficult decision not to return to school. At the time, she felt that motherhood seemed more important than finishing her degree. When her youngest was born, Logsdon discovered that her daughter had multiple exceptionalities that required ongoing medical care.

“After the birth of my first child, I wasn’t sure I wanted to finish my nursing degree,” she said.

Motherhood was fulfilling, but the desire to finish college stayed with her – shadowed by insecurity about whether she was capable of doing it. For years, doubt outweighed ambition.

But the obstacles Logsdon faced throughout her life were a reminder of her incredible ability to overcome and persevere.

“I was meeting my daughter, who is also a student at Ÿ«¶«Ó°Ò”, across the street from the Armstrong Campus one day, and chose to walk into the Admissions Office and see if any of the credits I earned years ago might transfer.”

That single decision would lead to a new, exciting chapter for Logsdon.

Following a conversation with Georgia Southern admissions and financial aid officers, she was told that with two children also attending college, she could receive substantial financial aid to return to school. Additionally, many of those credits she had earned nearly 30 years ago could transfer toward a degree.

“Between my former pre-requisites for the nursing program and taking care of my youngest daughter, I had an interest in the medical field, but felt nursing school wasn’t exactly the right path for me at the moment. Owning my own business and being a single mom, I needed a flexible program that could be done online that capitalized on my lived experiences,” she said. 

With guidance from Georgia Southern’s admissions counselors, she was able to find a degree program that could build on her completed courses, while also complementing her experience as a business owner. 

“That’s when I found out about a bachelor’s degree in an interdisciplinary studies program where I could choose a concentration of human development and family science, health promotion and business.”

Logsdon’s determination goes beyond academics. As a dedicated ultramarathon runner and active member of Savannah’s Rough Runners, supporting others who use running as therapy comes naturally. She aims to set a precedent for her family and anyone facing similar challenges.

“I think of myself as an example, not just for my children, but the people around me,” Logsdon explained. “If I say I’m going to do something, I’m going to do it.”

And, in December 2025, she reached the finish line of a goal she set nearly three decades ago. 

Crossing the stage, Logsdon proudly carried the ashes of her father and stepfather while her mother and four children watched her receive the degree she fought so hard to earn. An emotional moment for all, she was thankful her family always had her back and could be with her in person and spirit during the ceremony.

Above all else, Logsdon wants people struggling with the idea to go back to school to know, “If it scares you, that means you’re meant to try it.”

For Laura Santiago, Ÿ«¶«Ó°Ò”’s 2025 Fall Commencement, marks the completion of a journey she began 30 years ago. The 49-year-old married mother of two began her college education straight out of high school but early motherhood changed her course and prompted her to put her studies on hold.

“I love school, but I didn’t want to take away from my kids,” Santiago said. “Once I had them, I didn’t want to miss their after-school activities. I just didn’t want to take time away from them. I felt like I had my chance.”

Santiago was born in Puerto Rico, the middle of six children. Her family moved to New York when she was 4 years old and returned to Puerto Rico when she was 12. Her parents never finished high school, but she did – and now, by earning a bachelor’s degree in World Languages and Cultures with a concentration in Spanish, Santiago is rewriting her family’s story.

“I’m the only one in my mother’s household to graduate from high school and earn a college degree,” she said.” At this age, I feel it would have been easier to do it when I was younger, but my family is really proud of me.”

Santiago never let go of her academic goals and she returned to school once her own daughter entered college.

“As soon as my daughter graduated high school and went to college, I thought, ‘yes, I’m going to college too,’” she recalled. She earned an associate degree then paused again. After several more years passed, she realized, “The years are going to continue passing me by whether I do it or not. I might as well finish so I can be in the position that I want to be.”

In the summer of 2023, she enrolled at Ÿ«¶«Ó°Ò” as a first-generation, fully online student in the College of Arts and Humanities.

“I’ve grown so much, while I’ve been here,” she said. “I feel empowered. I’m more confident in my knowledge and abilities. The professors are so knowledgeable and passionate about their subject areas, and they were so supportive. I’m going to remember them. I’m going to take them with me.”

Santiago, who lives in Woodstock, Georgia, works full-timefull time as a middle school instructional support paraprofessional. Her goal is to become a Spanish/ESOL teacher.

“Working with special needs kids is the most rewarding thing,” said the future alumna. “Seeing a child who believes — along with their parents — that they’re limited or incapable, then watching them accomplish milestones they never thought possible is incredibly rewarding.”

While attending Georgia Southern, Santiago excelled in her studies despite her full-time job and full course load. She earned her place on the President’s List and received an “A” in all but one course. It required discipline, sacrificing time with family and friends, careful scheduling and the ability to solve problems independently as an online student. She also credits her supportive husband who took on laundry, cooking and other household responsibilities.

Closing in on the finishing line, Santiago expressed how her college experience expanded her sense of what she can achieve.

“It’s helped me realize that I can do more than I think that I’m capable of,” she said. “I can still learn — there’s so much that I don’t know. When you’re not going to college, you live in a little bubble and just what’s around you. A world languages and cultures major opens your eyes to what’s happening around the world. I appreciate learning about other cultures. It’s been very enriching to understand and see things from different perspectives.”

Now, her decades-old journey will culminate with a well-deserved walk across the commencement stage at Ÿ«¶«Ó°Ò”.

“I already have my cap and gown,” Santiago said. “I was debating it, but my family said, ‘You’ve worked so hard — you deserve to go and walk.’ So, I said, ‘okay, let’s do it.’”

Ÿ«¶«Ó°Ò” Spanish professor Miguel GarcĂ­a, Ph.D., was among many instructors teaching courses during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. As coronavirus entered the U.S. in 2020, classes shifted from fully virtual in the spring semester to hybrid models by the fall, prompting many faculty members to develop innovative learning solutions along the way.

Published in April 2025, “Voces, poemas e historias,” is a collection of poems written by beginner and elementary-level Spanish students that showcases the powerful ability of Georgia Southern’s students, faculty and staff to innovate, create and collaborate across campus. 

Composition had always been a significant component of students’ graded assignments in GarcĂ­a’s courses. To contrast the strict, isolating protocols of the pandemic, he wanted to offer his students a chance “to walk into a puddle and splash around with words,” exploring their creative abilities and challenging them to use their newfound Spanish language skills. 

During the fall 2020 semester, GarcĂ­a presented his students with the choice to write a poem for the composition element for their coursework; he found his students expressing not only their creativity, but also their experiences, emotions and journeys through life. 

Contributing poet and dual Spanish and political science major Inga Withers said, “Using words wisely is a form of art; as they say, the pen is mightier than the sword.” 

Withers, who has faced life-altering personal challenges in the past several years, stressed the importance of allowing creative freedom within the curriculum. 

“The writing process helped me to work through some pretty complex emotions, and doing so in my second language facilitated me being extremely careful with my words,” said Withers. “Creativity in the classroom is essential. It is the way we internalize learning.” 

The world didn’t end when the coronavirus began, and although “the new normal” at the time completely altered the social landscape, pandemic students still had to face difficult and complex personal hardships while also dealing with the added stress of social isolation and the threat of illness. Poetry, GarcĂ­a thought, could be a means of exploring new facets of self through carefully chosen words. It was a way of communicating complex emotions with one another that social isolation had hindered within the last year of living through a global pandemic. 

Another contributing student poet and English major, Kat Williams, also welcomed the option of a poetry assignment, using the challenge as a means of combining her unique interests and knowledge base. 

“When professor GarcĂ­a let us know that if we wanted to write a poem for our final instead of a paper, I jumped at the opportunity,” she said. 

To Williams, the project blended personal interests and world culture. 

“With ‘El anhelo de Hades y PersĂ©fone,’ I wanted to pay homage to everlasting culture and how, after a while, it all mixes,” explained Williams. “Overall, the poem represents a love of natural opposites.”  

Although many students were thrilled with the opportunity to submit poetry, the idea of publishing the poems came to GarcĂ­a a few years after he began implementing the assignment. However, GarcĂ­a felt that he lacked the literary background needed to successfully complete the book and called upon Georgia Southern professor Teresa Buzo Salas, senior lecturer of Spanish, to assist in writing the introductory portion of the publication to give “Voces” greater depth. 

Spanish professor Michael McGrath, Ph.D., and eight of his students, as well as graduate student Madi Stefan, also played a significant role in the production of “Voces” by translating into Spanish each contributing poet’s short biography, allowing readers to have a chance to get to know the people behind the poetry.

For the design elements of “Voces,” GarcĂ­a tapped associate professor Hans Mortensen’s students from the Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art. In collaboration with Mortensen’s graphic design students, a web copy of the book was successfully designed and published in April 2025.

Among those design students, Gracyn Murguia had the opportunity to work on the publication’s formatting and editing. “I personally find collaboration especially important when building digital projects,” said Murguia. “By working together, we were able to create a much more functional and visually appealing product than if we were working alone. We were also able to bounce ideas off each other and learn more about the other’s expertise.” 

With additional support from Associate Dean of Libraries for Research & Assessment Katia Karadjova-Kozhuharova, Ph.D., and Digital Scholarship Librarian Jeff Mortimore, Georgia Southern’s Henderson Library, the students’ contributions can also be accessed through the for years to come. 

“This project is a testament to the creativity, collaboration and dedication of our students and colleagues,” GarcĂ­a said. “I am deeply grateful to everyone who made “Voces” possible.” 

The Ÿ«¶«Ó°Ò” Museum’s commitment to education about Georgia’s Coastal Plain region and its communities helped it earn renewed accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) for another 10 years. The Museum first received the accreditation in 1997.

AAM accreditation is awarded based on several criteria including how a museum identifies and serves its community, the diversity of its programming, and its commitment to placing education at the center of public service. The accreditation committee noted the Georgia Southern Museum not only meets, but exceeds requirements in several key areas. Community partnerships like received high praise from the evaluators, something that does not surprise Museum leadership.

“Our connections with partners across the region mean a lot,” said Museum Director Brent Tharp, Ph.D. “Everyone from the Kiwanis Club to Bulloch County Schools to faculty and staff across the University who are not Museum staff, they are all a critical part of our operations.”

The depth of education offered at various locations also caught the eye of the evaluators. They noted that the Museum on Main, housed at the Statesboro Convention and Ÿ«¶«Ó°Ò”ors Bureau, provided rich local history in a way that appealed to visitors. They also cited how the Gretsch Collection exhibited at the Plant Riverside District in Savannah takes engagement beyond the usual museum audience.

Museum leaders credit much of the success of their programs to the student staff. Students do everything from leading tour groups through exhibits to running the gift shop. Assistant Director Lashanda Hicks-Griffin credits the enthusiasm from the students for creating an environment where learning feels like an adventure.

“The only way that we can accomplish so much of what we’re doing is because we have a strong student support system,” said Hicks-Griffin. “They make it fulfilling and fun to come to work every day.”

The Museum staff takes pride in their dedication to building diverse exhibits through interdisciplinary work. Curator of Paleontology and Associate Professor Kathlyn Smith, Ph.D., is so accustomed to the involvement of Georgia Southern’s faculty that she cannot imagine operating without it.

“The evaluation team said it was unusual that I spent a lot of time doing outreach,” said Smith. “They said some institutions struggle to get their faculty to join outreach efforts, but I love taking our collection to places like comic conventions and sharing it with people who might not expect to find it there.”

Presenting a wide spectrum of topics to a broad audience is a core part of the museum’s mission. Thousands of visitors, from University students to school groups to tourists, pass through the Museum each year. Curator of Education Marjean Cone takes an individual approach to connecting all of them with the discoveries they make inside the exhibits.

“I feel like I’ve done my job at the end of the day if somebody from any background can come in here, be inspired by something we present and want to keep learning more when they go back outside to their daily life.”

The Museum features permanent exhibits that chronicle the history of Georgia’s Coastal Plain region. It also hosts rotating exhibits on diverse topics in science, history and culture. General admission is $4 per person. Admission is free for Museum members as well as Georgia Southern students, alumni, faculty, staff, members and children under 3 years old.

The College of Arts and Humanities at Ÿ«¶«Ó°Ò” will host the next event in its “Moveable Feast” lecture series, featuring a discussion on an iconic American instrument. Gretsch Collection Curator Matthew Hill, Ph.D., will present “Strum and Twang: The Improbable Yet Inevitable Rise of the Electric Guitar Since 1750” Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. at Plant Riverside District in Savannah.

“Many people think they know the history of the instrument, but they don’t,” said Hill. “There are lots of myths and legends that are just not true, but the real story is even weirder.”

Hill’s presentation will take attendees on a journey from bizarre instruments powered by static electricity that predate the Revolutionary War to the wild days of the rock ’n’ roll revolution. Participants will also experiencehear special instruments that Hill has built to replicate the strange sounds of the past and new ones he has created.

“These instruments have been evolving for centuries,” explained Hill. “The electric guitar is not just part of music, it’s part of popular culture. People constantly bring it with them into whatever the new modern era is. These days you can go online and learn so many ways to modify them and make something new.”

The Moveable Feast series is an immersive learning experience by bringing lectures into spaces relevant to their topics. Hill’s presentation will take place among the many guitars displayed as part of “That Great Gretsch Sound!” collection in the District Live lobby within Savannah’s Plant Riverside District. The collection is maintained by the Georgia Southern Museum.

The event is free and open to the public. 

The Fred and Dinah Gretsch School of Music at Ÿ«¶«Ó°Ò” will celebrate its fifth anniversary with two feature concert performances by student and faculty musicians.

The concerts will showcase two renowned campus musical groups – The Sound and The Symphonic Wind Ensemble. Both groups will perform Oct. 15 at the Performing Arts Center on the Statesboro Campus and Oct. 16 at the Fine Arts Auditorium on the Armstrong Campus in Savannah.

The Sound is an audition-only ensemble made up of student performers from the Armstrong Campus that focuses on modern performance techniques and musical styles from pop, rock, hip-hop and more. The group is directed by Benjamin Mathews, DMA, the Gretsch Distinguished Scholar of Guitar and Music Industry for the Fred and Dinah Gretsch School of Music. 

The Symphonic Wind Ensemble is the most select of the University’s concert bands, with a membership limited to 50 to 55 of the most accomplished woodwind, brass and percussion student performers on the Statesboro Campus. Members of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble perform repertoire of the highest caliber, representing all musical style periods from the Renaissance through the modern day, featuring works created by the finest composers for the historical and contemporary wind bands. The Ensemble is conducted by Darrell Brown, DMA, director of bands.

Jayson Brown, a junior music major and member of The Symphonic Wind Ensemble, is excited to be a part of the fifth anniversary celebration concerts. 

“I am most excited to be able to play in a different environment with musicians from the Armstrong Campus,” Brown said. “Educationally, I think it is beneficial to be exposed to various genres of music as well as many playing scenarios. I am also excited for the challenges and focus that will come with a shorter rehearsal cycle. The rehearsal process thus far has been incredible. There is so much great music-making going on in the rehearsal room. Dr. Brown is a great conductor, educator and mentor, and the way he meticulously dissects the music always results in beautiful music.”

In February 2021, Georgia Southern received a transformational gift from Fred and Dinah Gretsch. Their $3 million pledge, along with their personal Gretsch Collection of historic guitars, drums and archives, led to the creation of the Fred and Dinah Gretsch School of Music, named in their honor. 

“What began as a partnership rooted in a shared passion to, as Fred often says, ‘be musical,’ has grown into a legacy that continues to shape the future of the Fred and Dinah Gretsch School of Music,” said Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero. “Fred and Dinah Gretsch believed in our students and in the promise of what we could build together. Five years later, that vision lives on in every note played, every new music educator entering our schools, and in the nationally celebrated reputation of our program.”

“​â¶Ä‹The Gretsch family is incredibly supportive of music education,” Mathews said. “Our partnership is generating unprecedented opportunities for music students. Thanks to these gifts and the Gretsch family’s continued involvement, we can provide modern music education at an incredibly high value for students, collaborate and network in innovative ways, and help students jump-start real-world music industry careers​â¶Ä‹.”

Along with the gift, the Gretsch family also donated a collection of instruments, which is included in “That Great Gretsch Sound!” museum, housed in the Plant Riverside District in Savannah. It showcases more than a century of iconic Gretsch instruments, from banjos and early drums to guitars played by legends like George Harrison and Malcolm Young. The Gretsch family also donated three major additions to the archives to the Zach S. Henderson Library Special Collections, including Gretsch Company Records, Gretsch Audio-Visual Collection and Musical Industry Reference Collection. 

For the Gretsch family, it’s all about building a legacy that will stand the test of time.

“In the years ahead, we look forward to continuing to develop and mature the community music program here and being a beacon to the whole U.S. and worldwide as well,” said Fred Gretsch. “There are well known schools of music across the country. The one at Ÿ«¶«Ó°Ò”, a hundred years from now, will absolutely be number one in the world.”

“We wanted a partner that we could work with to leave our legacy and Georgia Southern has been wonderful to work with,” said Dinah Gretsch. “We’ve built a lot of programs and continue to increase what we do today.”

The Fred and Dinah Gretsch School of Music creates an environment rich in musical diversity with endless opportunities. The School of Music offers a variety of ensembles ranging from bands, choirs and orchestras to commercial music, jazz, opera and chamber ensembles. 

“With their gift, the Gretsches enabled a historic Department of Music to look forward to a greater future, with the finest faculty, students and facilities,” Chair of the School of Music Terre Johnson, Ph.D., said. “As a result, in the last five years, the Gretsch School of Music has seen record growth on both the Statesboro and Armstrong campuses, as well as international recognition for its ensembles.”
Both concerts are free and open to the public. For more information, visit the Fred and Dinah Gretsch School of Music homepage.

A new symbol of Eagle spirit stands at the entrance of after Ÿ«¶«Ó°Ò” unveiled “Freedom to Soar,” a life-size bronze statue honoring Freedom, the University’s beloved bald eagle mascot who passed away in March 2025. 

The sculpture has a wingspan of approximately eight feet and weighs 385 pounds. It sits atop a custom cast and polished concrete pedestal that weighs 6,000 pounds. The inspiration for the final look is one that Eagles football fans will find familiar.

“The plinth is designed to reflect Freedom flying over the stadium,” said Jason McCoy, studio technician in the Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art. “It has the terracing of the seating inside the stadium, and Freedom is flying at an angle and soaring down to the field. So, it’s designed to mirror the stadium and Freedom’s Flight over the stadium.”

For more than two decades, Freedom was more than a symbol on game days. He embodied strength, pride and the True Blue spirit of Eagle Nation. His story inspired thousands of alumni, students, faculty, staff and fans, and his presence at community and University events uplifted generations of Eagles. As an ambassador for Georgia Southern, wildlife and as a symbol of our nation, Freedom inspired thousands annually at , the in Savannah, , community events and other appearances across the State of Georgia and .

“There’s this continuation of Freedom’s legacy that is connected and ingrained into the Georgia Southern community,” said Jeff Garland, associate dean of faculty affairs and research. “That’s the legacy of this sculpture. It’s a great way to show that legacy and show we will have him forever.”

Restoration and preparation of the statue began in April 2025, and were carried out by an eclectic team from all corners of the Georgia Southern community. Students, faculty and staff from the BFSDoArt, Master of Fine Arts student Tanner Maxey, Associate Professor Matt Mogle, in addition to Garland and McCoy, contributed work to the monument. Steve Hein, executive director of the Center for Wildlife Education, served as consultant throughout the project. Additionally, Georgia Southern’s Division of Facilities Planning, Design and Construction, led by Project Manager Sandi Wilkinson, was supported by Dabbs Williams General Contractors to help with the landscaping and installation process.

Designers wanted even the smallest details included in the piece, all the way down to counting the number of feathers along the edges of the wings.

“You want all parties involved to agree on what’s happening so that everybody’s happy with the final outcome,” said McCoy. “It takes a lot of people to get stuff like this done. It’s a memorial piece for the University mascot, so it’s going to mean a lot to a lot of people.”

The statue stands alongside the Erk Russell statue in the plaza at , which will unite two enduring symbols of Eagles football.

Friday’s ceremony featured the unveiling of the statue, as well as speeches and stories from those who worked closely with Freedom and the Wildlife Center. Speakers included Hein, Garland, Ÿ«¶«Ó°Ò” President Kyle Marrero, Alumnus David Ball, Hein’s longtime mentor Steve Layman, Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives Jon Burns, Georgia State Senator Billy Hickman and Athletics Director Chris Davis.

“Freedom wasn’t just a mascot,” said Marrero. “He was a symbol of strength, of unity and of that True Blue pride that defines Georgia Southern. In true Eagle fashion, he grew into something bigger than anyone expected. As we unveiled this new statue in Freedom’s honor, we celebrated not only his life but the tradition and spirit he leaves with us.”

The , Ÿ«¶«Ó°Ò”’s premier choral ensemble, continues to reach new heights in international competitions. The group took third place in the in the Netherlands, which was held from May 29 through June 1. The prestigious festival featured 10 choirs from eight countries, including the U.S., Sweden, Slovenia and other European countries. 

“I could not be prouder of these students,” said Shannon Jeffreys, D.M.A., director of Choral Activities at Ÿ«¶«Ó°Ò”. “They sang with such passion, musical precision and sincerity. Every note came from the heart. On that stage, they weren’t just performing music; they were telling stories, sharing their souls and lifting up the very best of what choral music can be.”

Jeffreys said each student brought something unique and beautiful to the experience, but two students made special additions by having their own songs featured in their performances. Ryan Fruchtl and James Rowell are both in their third year with the group. Motivated by Jeffreys to write their own works, the students’ European debuts are the results of years’ worth of effort.

“We had been talking in her office one day about writing something,” Rowell said. “We were brainstorming what could be used during the competition, and we settled on something that could be sung in a cathedral. I showed her a piece, and she said, ‘Let’s go with it!’”

Rowell’s song, “Somnambulism,” which means “sleepwalking,” served as the prelude to their other competition pieces. And as fate would have it, it would eventually be sung in a cathedral while on the tour.

Fruchtl’s piece, “My Faith Still Holds,” features two male solo parts, but neither of them are performed by Fruchtl himself. As Jeffreys auditioned students, everyone had an opportunity to try out for the roles. 

“I’m really good friends with the soloists,” said Fruchtl. “If I’m being honest, I really had Paul and Bret, who ultimately performed the piece, in mind for the solos when I wrote it. They’re just incredible.”

Chorale, made up of 35 students, has been performing in competitive and noncompetitive venues for the past week throughout the Netherlands and Belgium. Between performances, the students have explored local historic and cultural locations across Amsterdam and other areas.

“Opportunities like this one—where students engage at the highest level on an international stage—are transformative,” said Jeffreys. “They grow as artists, as musicians and as people. It builds confidence, deepens their understanding of other cultures and shows them just how powerful music can be in connecting people across the world. I have so much love and admiration for each of them. What they achieved together is something they’ll carry for a lifetime—and so will I.”

The trip was supported and sponsored by the Office of the President, the Office of the Provost and College of Arts and Humanities Office of the Dean.

In 2022, in Berlin, Germany. Their global success also earned the singers national recognition as named a in 2024.