PHS choir cancels 2003 tour of Europe

Long-awaited trip is postponed due to global tension.

By: Jamie Simpson
   High hopes and high anticipation turned to tears this week when members of the Princeton High School Choir learned they would not be attending a long-planned trip to perform throughout Europe because of the threat of war.
   The 86-member choir, under the direction of Charles Sundquist, learned this week that its trip was being postponed due to tension involving terrorism and the possibility of the start of war with Iraq.
   "My associate and I came to the final decision on Monday when the parents recommended that we postpone the trip," said Dr. Sundquist.
   Dr. Sundquist said that with the current state of affairs throughout the world and with the level of anxiety rising, bringing young students to a foreign country could be potentially dangerous.
   "With the timing of our trip being in the middle of February, and the fact that there would be 110 Americans traveling, we just thought it was prudent not to go at this time," said Dr. Sundquist.
   "By making this decision now all the money is secure. We could have lost a lot if we decided to cancel the trip (later)," Dr. Sundquist said.
   The choir is planning on rescheduling for either next fall or 2004.
   Planning for the trip began last summer when the choir received invitations from a music high school in Austria, which requested their musical talents to be showcased in Vienna as well as Budapest.
   The Princeton High School choir has a long history of touring internationally.
   The first invitation to travel overseas was received in 1964. The choir has received many invitations since asking them to journey throughout Europe to perform.
   However, this is first time the choir had to postpone the event.
   The students, including eight Cranbury residents, were all saddened by the news.
   Annie Rorem, co-president of the choir, said there were varied emotions as the students heard that they would not be going to Europe.
   "I was sort of gauging reactions as we were told," Annie said. "Some students started crying, others were asking a lot of questions."
   Annie said students understood the decision and realized it was beneficial for everyone’s safety.
   "Once we could look at it rationally, we realized there is real strong grounds for the decision," she said. "A few students are angry and irate at the moment, but we will bounce back."
   Despite the setback, the choir is planning a concert in February at Princeton High School which will include an Americana theme and music by Haydn and Mozart.