Presbyterian College Choir Set to Launch 2026 Tour Season with “Sounds of the Alps” in Austria
March 4, 2026
The Presbyterian College Choir is about to launch its first tour event of 2026, departing at the end of this week for an international musical journey to Austria.
After a landmark performance at Carnegie Hall last year, the choir enters this season with energy and anticipation. Under the direction of Kipper Ackerman, students will embark on the “Sounds of the Alps” tour March 6–14, 2026, performing in historic churches and immersing themselves in the rich musical heritage of Salzburg and Vienna.
“This tour is about much more than travel,” said Ackerman. “It’s about experiencing the roots of the music we study and perform. To sing in places like the Salzburg Cathedral and in Vienna’s historic churches connects our students directly to centuries of sacred and classical tradition. It’s transformative.”
A Week of Music and Cultural Immersion
The tour begins with departure from Charlotte to Munich before traveling into Austria. The choir will spend four nights in Salzburg and three nights in Vienna, performing in historically significant venues while also exploring the region’s cultural landmarks.
Tour highlights include:
• Participation in a worship service at a Catholic church in Grossgmain
• A midday concert at Salzburg Cathedral (Dom)
• A joint concert with a local choir in Bad Ischl
• A featured evening performance at Capuchin Church in Vienna
• Visits to Mozart’s Birthplace and Residence
• Touring the Abbey of St. Florian, where Anton Bruckner once played
• Exploring Schönbrunn Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and Vienna’s Ringstrasse
Students will also visit the Silent Night Chapel in Oberndorf and explore the Hallein Salt Mine in the Austrian Alps — blending performance, worship, history, and hands-on learning in a setting rich with musical legacy.
Representing PC — and Clinton — Abroad
As the choir prepares to travel, they carry with them not only their music but the spirit of Presbyterian College and the Clinton community.
“Our students understand that they represent more than themselves when they perform,” Ackerman added. “They represent our college, our community, and the tradition of excellence we continue to build.”
The Laurens County Buzz will be following along and plans to share reflections from students and Director Ackerman after the tour concludes — offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at what this international experience meant to the young musicians who represented Presbyterian College on a global stage.
