Spring activities are in full swing, and one group at Xavier showed off their talents in a special way outside of the school. Voce, Xavier’s chamber choir, embarked on their annual Midwest tour April 13-15. Voce is an auditioned group of 42 students in grades 10-12 who are active in the vocal music department. Students auditioned shortly after the school year began with a song selected by director Mr. Matt Walker.

Voce is an extracurricular choir. They rehearse for two hours each week on Thursday nights. Students often have sectionals to rehearse specific voice parts alongside their regular rehearsals.

Voce learned 12 new songs this year in various languages including Latin and German. After months of rehearsals, their hard work culminated with the much anticipated tour.

“It’s a really fun and energetic atmosphere where we work on new songs and review past songs,” senior Gabriella Cummings said.

The group performed all of their music a cappella for concerts at Xavier, performances around the community, and on their tour.

In past years and tours, the group has performed in churches and on college campuses across the Midwest. The group usually stops in one larger city in the Midwest each year. On this year’s Voce tour, students performed their program at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church in Ankeny, Iowa, St. Peter Catholic Church in Omaha, Nebraska, and at St. John’s Catholic Church on the Creighton University campus.

“My favorite part of the Voce tour was getting to enjoy some time with people  I have been working with the whole year,” junior Anna Mlodzik said.

Voce has performed at several choir concerts this year along with their tour. Their homecoming  performance will be held on Monday, April 30, at 7 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Their final performance of the year will be at Xavier’s spring concert on Monday, May 7 at 7 p.m. in the Regis-LaSalle Theatre.

Nicole Hassenstab

A&E Writer