Embracing Adventure and the Unexpected

From our director, Dr. Tim Westerhaus:

Today, we embark on a two-week journey of music, culture, and new friendships to Florence and Castiglione delle Stiviere. Like our students, who have just finished finals on Friday, and like some, who have just finished their four-year Zag journey with graduation, it is a time of mixed feelings. Excitement, fatigue, anticipation, and bittersweet feelings mingle together. My heart is filled with gratitude at the many passionate performances in the last two weeks, opening the Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center. This time has also been marked by traditions that recognize and celebrate our seniors, and each “last” moment is not lost on me: the last recital, the last choir council meeting, and the last cutoff of the final concert. Each year, the goodbyes do not get any easier, and if anything I am feeling the “bitter” part of the farewells even more, as this time also marks the end of working in the Department with Cheryl Carney, who has been such a caring and generous spirit. Therefore, I am cherishing this time to take one more adventure with these inspiring students, Cheryl, and pianist Annie Flood, along with 16 dancers and Suzanne Ostersmith. It feels like an encore of community and music with a truly exceptional group of human beings.

The past year has been filled with countless emails, WhatsApp texts, and video chats with our Italian partners and hosts, and I am excited for the unique experiences that await all of us. For some on this trip, it will be the first time abroad, and what a special opportunity it is to share this “first” with you! I think back to my first international tour as an undergraduate student to Ireland, remembering how it opened my eyes to a land ancient, mystical, and so verdantly beautiful. With each ensuing international exchange, my senses have been opened to new delight in the unexpected, and I have learned something new about both my hosts and myself.

Because the logistic preparations are so well in place for the next 16 days, and perhaps because this exchange tour is happening after an exceptionally busy semester, I am most eager to embrace the idea of festina lente–to find joy in slowing down and to be present fully in each moment: relishing in the aroma of each espresso, in the tantalizing tastes of tomatoes intermingled with olive oil, in the beauty of architecture and Tuscan countryside, in the moments of creative discovery in rehearsal, in the conversations and walks (passagiata) with students, in the kindness of new friends and colleagues. On Gonzaga’s campus, we—students and teachers alike—are often so focused on the next class, paper, rehearsal, or deadline, that we can miss the joy of being fully present with those people and places right around us. Our time in Firenze is a chance to redefine our focus together, embracing adventure and the unexpected in the present time.

The feelings excitement and nervousness lie in a similar place for me. I often share with students that if I am not just a little nervous for a performance that it means I am not truly excited or feeling stretched by it: a healthy dose of nervousness is a good thing. For this trip, I feel that healthy nervousness about coordinating rehearsals in Italian with the Conservatory of Florence’s orchestra (mille grazie, la mia professoressa italiana, Torunn Haaland), about our group bridging languages in social settings, about meeting composer Alec Roth and his reception of our performance of his work, A Time to Dance, and about the high-profile performance at Teatro dalla Pergola (where Verdi premiered Macbeth). Yet, it is each of these aspects that hold great promise for new adventures, new artistic experiences, and new friendships. Andiamo a Firenze! Arrivaderci!

From the director of the dance program, Suzanne Ostersmith:

I am just so proud of all of our Gonzaga Students.....but WOW Dance! We have rehearsed the show and reset positions with 16 rather than the 29, and they just came from back to back contemporary dance workshops! Now tonight the welcome dinner where we get to meet the Composer of our big dance work that opened our performing arts center! Hearing them talk and reflect on all they are experiencing is a delight and I am grateful to accompany them!

From our accompanist, Annie Flood:

I first found myself traveling to Italy as an undergraduate piano and voice student at the University of Notre Dame for a semester abroad. One might expect me to say I felt an overpowering magnetic draw from the land of opera, the birthplace of the piano, the stomping grounds of countless hallowed composers and musicians I had read about and studied and performed and would finally be able to truly understand!! But to be honest, that was all a bonus - an incredibly inspiring, educational, and humbling bonus, might I add. What really drew me to seek out study in Italy was the food. “I do love the dining hall tortellini, but I really yearn for the chance to experience true Italian cooking,” may have been an actual quote from my application to study abroad. And let me tell you, I was not disappointed in my experience.

As I write this post, we are somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean on our way to Florence, and I am reflecting on those memories. Joining a friend on her quest to find the best cappuccino, enjoying course after course of a real Italian family-style meal with a group of new friends, grabbing a slice of pizza with classmates from our favorite stand after school. I realize now it was never really just about the food itself, but rather the shared experience of community surrounding it.

Sharing a meal with someone is not unlike sharing a collaboration of music. Gathering together for a shared purpose, everyone bringing their unique fruits to the table – I think this is something that draws all musicians to this art form. Choral music especially provides a remarkable opportunity to really listen to the voices of others, share our own, and find ways to sing and play together in a musical setting, and in all aspects of life. This time around, I travel to Italy understanding this, and am thrilled to get the chance to be a part of that journey of so many current undergraduates. I eagerly await our arrival to Italy for the chance to not only share but also expand the Gonzaga community through the sharing of music – and probably a few good meals too.

And finally, from our lovely Executive Assistant and wonderful Cellist, Cheryl Carney:

Going to Europe has been on my bucket list for as long as I remember! I cannot even begin to imagine how wonderful this will be AND to make music in Italy with these wonderful students and Tim. It will be a joyous highlight of my life - & busy 2 weeks! I’m perfectly thrilled to pieces.