By Emma Grace Howlett ‘25
Music has the ability to transport you to another place, whether that be through emotional lyrics or a specific cultural style. Little did I know that my love of music would one day transport me across the globe – literally. As a member of the Pomona College Glee Club, I had the opportunity to embark on an international concert tour to England and Scotland at the end of my sophomore year.
We traveled to London, Cambridge, York, Lincoln, Durham, St Andrews, and Edinburgh, performing six concerts across two weeks. We performed in historic churches such as St James Piccadilly (designed by Christopher Wren and also, for my fantasy period piece fans, featured in “Bridgerton”), Durham Cathedral (UNESCO World Heritage Site, built in the 11th Century), and St Giles Cathedral (the seat of the Church of Scotland). Pomona covered all expenses related to the tour, which allowed us to focus on creating high quality music and an even higher quality community. This trip would become an absolute highlight of my college experience.
While in London, I ran through Hyde Park every morning, greeting the flowers outside Kensington Palace and the white swans gliding across the pond. My friends and I quickly learned how to navigate the Tube, and gallivanted across London visiting Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and Parliament, St James Park, Camden Market, and the Globe Theater (where we saw A Midsummer Night’s Dream!).
Then we were off to Cambridge, a medieval town home to the University of Cambridge. We went punting on the River Cam, and visited King’s College Chapel with its incredible fan vault ceiling and stained glass. Like the choir nerds we were, we went to see King’s College Choir, arguably one of the best choirs in the world, perform Evensong in the Anglican tradition. The next day, we shared in this tradition by performing the Sung Eucharist in Trinity College Chapel.
After a quick stop to see Lincoln Cathedral, we arrived in York. Highlights included walking the 3-mile long circular city wall, originally built by the Romans in 71 AD. We also perused “The Shambles,” a narrow medieval street with leaning, timber-framed buildings – and the inspiration for J.K. Rowling’s “Diagon Alley!”
Our next stop was Durham, a town holding personal significance for me, as my father studied at the University of Durham. He, along with my mother and sister, were able to attend my concert in Durham Cathedral. Together my dad and I ran along the River Weir and explored the Cathedral’s cloisters, courtyards, chapels, and incredible Romanesque nave.
We then ventured into Scotland, arriving at our hotel on Edinburgh’s “Royal Mile.” After a side trip to St Andrews it was sadly time for our final concert. The last day of our trip coincided with the Edinburgh Marathon, and on a morning run through Holyrood Park, I joined the stream of racers as we charged past windswept bluffs and panoramic views of the city splayed out against the sparkling Firth of Forth.
Before this trip, I had never left the country, let alone the continent. Visiting England and Scotland broadened my horizons in ways I could have hardly imagined. I have a deep understanding of the English choral tradition, and can appreciate British composers such as Elgar, Vaughn Williams, Byrd, and MacMillan. Bringing their music to life in their homeland brought color and meaning to our performances and helped us resonate with British audiences.
Most importantly, I cemented friendships with my fellow choristers, forming a tight-knit community unlike any other group I’ve ever been a part of. We all had diverse interests and personalities, united by a shared nerdy devotion to choral music and willingness to be engaged and supportive. Many of my most cherished memories from tour center on a spontaneous group activity often ending in a “chorus” of laughter, pun intended. In London, we saw “Wicked” on the West End and spent the long walk back to our hotel singing every song word for word. While on a tour of the York Minster, we burst into an impromptu performance of “Amazing Grace,” while in the chapter house, our resonate voices bringing onlookers to tears. At the Scottish border, we all piled out of the bus to serenade a flock of sheep with “Over the Years,” the college song. I am so grateful to be part of a group where we are free to express our nerdy appreciation for all things music, ranging from Anglican chant to musical theater. Who else would get the hype of seeing King’s College Choir perform!
While in Saint Andrews, we did a joint concert with the University of Saint Andrews madrigal group. Sharing a meal and performing with the Scottish students highlighted the importance of bridging cultures through a shared artistic experience. I was able to continue participating in this cultural exchange as a member of the Cambridge University Symphony Chorus during my study abroad. Through Pomona’s choral program, I have made meaningful and high-quality music, traveled across the globe, and created friendships that will last a lifetime.
Here’s a link to our concert in St James Church, Piccadilly!