Avila University Sings Its Way through France

Many young people from Sisters of St. Joseph colleges have come to Le Puy. However, the extraordinary group of singers from Avila University of Kansas City provided not only gentle harmonies in 4, sometimes 8 parts, but powerful crescendos that filled the space such that it felt as though Heaven were upon us. 

Everywhere they went, they provided their hosts with beautiful contemporary and traditional renditions of religious music.  As part of it dedication ceremonies that consecrated the church as a place of worship and prayer, they sang at the Cathedral of Notre Dame of Le Puy--14 pieces with three encores.  

Ostensibly, the 30 students and alumni performing in the Avila University Singers came to France to participate in the July 4 commemoration in Normandy, France, of the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings. As part of a wreath-laying ceremony at the American Cemetery, site of the Normandy Invasion, the Singers sang a solo performance at a private wreath laying ceremony near Omaha Beach.

The choir also performed at the Paris Choral Festival on July 8 with other groups from around the world. Led by artistic director Gary R. Schwartzhoff, the festival featured works by Dan Forrest, Faure and others.

However, Amity Bryson, director of choral activities was determined that while the group was in France, they would make a stop in Le Puy, site of the Sisters of St. Joseph founding in 1650.  

Preparing for their performance at the Cathedral with a little comic relief beforehand.

The choir performed a 30-minute mini-concert in the International Centre's conference room. They were then treated to sausage, salad, and coucous in the dining room. 





 

The choir performed in the chapel for the sisters who live in Monistrol.

After the mini-concert for the sisters in Monistrol, they settled down for a French picnic of deli meats, salads, cheese, and fruit.

The choir traveled on to Institution Saint Paul in St. Etienne in the Chapelle de la Prise d'Habillit, once the site of the Black Daughters who Mother St. John Fontbonne recruited after the French Revolution to be a part of the Sisters of St. Joseph Congregation. Here they are in a casual pose in the school's courtyard. They headed on to Lyon afterward.

Marie–Elisabeth Bonnamour, Chef d’établissement coordinateur of the Institution Saint Paul with a colleague.

While they were in Le Puy, the singers visited the Kitchen where they prayed in song with "The Lord Is My Shepherd." 

They also visited the Living History Centre, the Tree of Martyrs, and the Église du College, climbed St. Michel, visited Martine's lace shop, and saw the Luminaries at night.