Duke Chorale brings Mexico back home

There were plenty of reasons to go to Mexico over Spring Break, like the weather, the beaches and the opportunity to see Duke Chorale perform. As classes let out two weeks ago and students left for Miami, Los Angeles and Hawaii, 54 members of Duke University Chorale traveled to Mexico for a six-show, four-city tour. The group, led by two native tour guides, visited Taxco, Puebla, Mexico City and Acapulco to sing, sightsee and shop.

Throughout the trip, the choir learned a great deal about the individual cities, as well as the multi-faceted culture of Mexico.

"You can ask anybody in Chorale. They would say they had an amazing time," said senior Jeremy Collado, President of Duke University Chorale.

The chorale makes a point of going on an international trip over Spring Break every couple of years. In the past, the group has visited the U.K., Puerto Rico, China and Italy. After deciding on Mexico for their latest trip, the choir began work on a tour-based repertoire, nearly half of which was in Spanish. The singers and musicians also used the opportunity to brush up on their foreign language skills.

"I definitely made an effort to speak in Spanish," said soprano Laura Sestokas, a senior. "They automatically knew I was American, but they appreciated the effort. I got discounts from some vendors."

For those unable to accompany the students along the pyramids of Puebla or the rustic city of Taxco, the Duke Chorale is holding a free performance of Acapulco A Capella tonight in Baldwin Auditorium at 8 p.m. The show, roughly an hour and a half long, highlights most of the chorale's repertoire, including all of the songs from their Mexican tour. The group promises to put on a diverse show, with pieces ranging from 16th century poems to Dominican merengue and even an African American spiritual.

And for avid March Madness followers with a heart for music, the chorale promises you can fulfill both passions.

"The show will be over well before the game," Collado said.