Berlin and Prague would have been the next destinations for the Bakersfield College Chorale and Chamber Singers if safety and finacial issues were not standing in their way.
This is not be the first instance that war has interfered with the choir’s travel plans.
In 1991, during the Gulf War, the Kern Community College District canceled a choir tour in Russia because of the uncertainty of the war situation. That scenario repeated itself this year because of the war in Iraq, according to Dr. Ronald Kean, music professor and director of choral activities at BC.
Indeed, since the United States was engaged in the Iraqi war, the district Board of Trustees decided that it was in the best interest to cancel the tour, a decision welcomed by not only students involved in this project, but also their parents.
“We were just going to war a month ago and the threat of international terrorism against Americans was high. That’s why students and parents of students wanted us to back out,” said Kean.
However, he made it clear that the withdrawal was a voluntary choice based also on financial considerations.
According to Kean, about $30,000 was raised in order to cover the cost of the tour, which was estimated at $90,000. Each one of the 30 students involved in the trip was to raise $2,000 for the remaining money. However, they weren’t able to, so they opted for the cancellation, despite that each lost $450.
In addition, because of budget cuts and job losses, Kean felt it wasn’t
appropriate to be raising money while others will be losing their jobs.
To make matters worse, the music program itself will experience some drastic changes next semester since it will no longer be available as a major, he said.
“That is pretty severe, especially for those who have gone through some of the program, and it is going to be very tough to recruit when there is no music major,” Kean said.
Although the BC choir will miss the occasion to be one of the few singing groups to help perform “Paradise Lost,” an opera electronica, in Berlin, the musical ensemble remains well-known.
“This choir is known to be one of the finest community college choirs in the country,” said Kean, who also has a particular philosophy about the way a choir distinguishes itself.
“I don’t go to competition … and the way we distinguished ourselves is to sing in music conventions, which is very competitive,” he said.
And despite the trials and tribulations that can stand in the way, Kean is determined to teach the understanding and appreciation of other cultures through music.
The choir has one last time to harmonize its voices during a concert on May 9 at the First Christian Church, Truxtun Avenue and S Street.