In May the Wittenberg Chamber Singers, directed by Joyce Wendel, professor of music, and the Wittenberg Handbell Choir, directed by Trudy Faber, professor of music and department chair, performed in Japan and Korea, including at the Youngnak Presbyterian Church in Seoul, Korea, and in Japan at Doshisha University, Kyotanabe Campus, the Kyoto Lutheran Church and the United Church of Christ in Uji.

In addition to performing, the 51 travelers, 45 of whom were students, experienced the culture of the two nations for the first time as they visited temples, shrines and other popular destinations, watched traditional performances, tasted new foods, and learned about the history and contemporary life of their hosts.

For most, however, the interactions with the people they met proved most rewarding. A gift from Milton ’60 and Carol Peters ’60 through the Dudycha Fund allowed for the purchase of “White Chapel” English bells comprising nearly four full octaves along with rolling travel cases, which made the trip possible for the Wittenberg Handbell Choir, Faber explained.

“The trip was very uplifting in many ways for me and for the students,” Faber said. “I was very proud of our students, and while I feel our gift to the people of Japan and Korea was our music, the entire trip was a wonderful gift to us.”

Sachiko Kitao ’80 scheduled the concerts for the group and arranged many of the group’s activities in Japan.

Heather Willoughby, a 2003-2004 East Asian Studies teaching fellow, served as the tour coordinator and guide for the 10-day visit made possible through the Freeman Foundation grant.

“For all of us your concert was an unforgettable experience,” noted the Rev. Hiroshi Uhiyama, pastor of United Church of Christ, in a letter to the group.

“We all felt how much music can cross barriers of language and culture and unite people in one spirit.”