Georgia Southern’s premier choir soars in overseas competition
The Southern Chorale, Georgia Southern University’s premier choral ensemble, continues to reach new heights in international competitions. The group took third place in the CantaRode International Choral Festival in the Netherlands, which was held from May 29 through June 1. The prestigious festival featured 10 choirs from eight countries, including the U.S., Sweden, Slovenia and other European countries.
“I could not be prouder of these students,” said Shannon Jeffreys, D.M.A., director of Choral Activities at Georgia Southern. “They sang with such passion, musical precision and sincerity. Every note came from the heart. On that stage, they weren’t just performing music; they were telling stories, sharing their souls and lifting up the very best of what choral music can be.”
Jeffreys said each student brought something unique and beautiful to the experience, but two students made special additions by having their own songs featured in their performances. Ryan Fruchtl and James Rowell are both in their third year with the group. Motivated by Jeffreys to write their own works, the students’ European debuts are the results of years’ worth of effort.
“We had been talking in her office one day about writing something,” Rowell said. “We were brainstorming what could be used during the competition, and we settled on something that could be sung in a cathedral. I showed her a piece, and she said, ‘Let’s go with it!’”
Rowell’s song, “Somnambulism,” which means “sleepwalking,” served as the prelude to their other competition pieces. And as fate would have it, it would eventually be sung in a cathedral while on the tour.
Fruchtl’s piece, “My Faith Still Holds,” features two male solo parts, but neither of them are performed by Fruchtl himself. As Jeffreys auditioned students, everyone had an opportunity to try out for the roles.
“I’m really good friends with the soloists,” said Fruchtl. “If I’m being honest, I really had Paul and Bret, who ultimately performed the piece, in mind for the solos when I wrote it. They’re just incredible.”
Chorale, made up of 35 students, has been performing in competitive and noncompetitive venues for the past week throughout the Netherlands and Belgium. Between performances, the students have explored local historic and cultural locations across Amsterdam and other areas.
“Opportunities like this one—where students engage at the highest level on an international stage—are transformative,” said Jeffreys. “They grow as artists, as musicians and as people. It builds confidence, deepens their understanding of other cultures and shows them just how powerful music can be in connecting people across the world. I have so much love and admiration for each of them. What they achieved together is something they’ll carry for a lifetime—and so will I.”
The trip was supported and sponsored by the Office of the President, the Office of the Provost and College of Arts and Humanities Office of the Dean.
In 2022, Chorale won a different international competition in Berlin, Germany. Their global success also earned the singers national recognition as named a Top 10 “Most Impressive College Choir” in 2024.
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