"Can We Sing the Darkness to Light?"

Twenty years ago, two music teachers connected at a Christian educators’ conference. Coming from international schools in Budapest and Vienna, they began imagining a way to help students deepen their love for music, strengthen their skills, and support the growth of music programs across similar schools. Drawing inspiration from "all-state" style choirs in the US, they designed a festival that would bring students from various countries together under the direction of a guest conductor, creating space for students to connect with other student musicians, collaborate, and connect.

 

 

What started with just 40 choir students in the first year quickly expanded, growing to nearly 100 instrumentalists and vocalists soon after. In 2009, another participating school added an instrumental string section next to the choir. ICSB added a band section, and eventually the two programs combined to add an orchestra component next to the Choir program.

 

 

Over time, the festival has impacted hundreds of students and teachers from 18 schools across Europe and eventually around the world, with host cities including Vienna, Budapest, Prague, Kandern, and Madrid. Along the way, it has strengthened relationships, enriched music programs, and provided students with opportunities to develop their gifts.

 

 

Fast forward to the present day, the 20th Anniversary International Honors Music Festival returned to where it started, and to celebrate this milestone, one of the two concerts was held in the stunning setting of Szt. István Bazilika in Budapest.

 

 

Thirty-one ICSB students joined musicians from international schools around the world, contributing to a total of 156 participants from 9 schools across 7 countries and representing 22 nationalities. After several days of rehearsals with guest conductors, Mr. Clark Potter from the University of Nebraska, who conducted the band/orchestra, and  Dr. Mark Statler from the University of Tennessee, who conducted the choir, they showcased their work in two memorable concerts.

 

 

The concert in the Basilica was held on Saturday. In honor of Lent, the program for this concert was more subdued, creating a hauntingly beautiful experience as the angelic voices of the choir and the cinematic sounds of the orchestra echoed through the Basilica's majestic interior. Between friends and family from the two Budapest-based schools, and regular bystanders enjoying the pleasant surprise of a free concert during their Basilica visit, the church was so packed that there were no open seats left, and visitors were prompted to sit on the floor along the central aisle. 

 

 

The second performance, held at ICSB, brought the Diósd community together and was a bit longer, featuring more joyful, upbeat pieces for the audience's enjoyment. 

 

 

The strong support from families, staff, and guests created a warm and encouraging environment, highlighting the pride felt across the school community. Both performances were a testament to the joy of music and its unique ability to bring people from all over the world together.

 It's amazing to me that it has been 20 years.  I can tell you so many things - but mostly - it's the kids, the ones from our school who have had the experience of coming together with other students to strive toward the goal of excellence.  Relationships that helped them to feel they weren't alone.  And music that transcends culture, nationality, background ringing through the halls.  It's a wonderful gift to the students, the teachers and the audiences alike.  It's one of my favorite things in the world [...] We are so blessed!

Mrs. Rebecca Lingenhoel

 

This grassroots initiative would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of music teachers like Mrs. Lingenhoel, the festival's other founder, Mr. Lance Burnett from Vienna, and Ms. Laura Danneker and other staff and parents who have helped schools mobilize, organize, and host year to year. Ms. Danneker and Mrs. Lingenhoel would like to give special thanks to Mr. Zoltán Márton and Ms. Ildikó Appel for their exceptional work in making arrangements for the festival and concerts this year, to the administration and finance teams for their support and encouragement, and to the many parents who served in countless ways! 

In the words of a piece, the tenor, baritone and bass sections sang:

What if instead of our judgment, We soften our hearts that have hardened?

Instead of certainty and pride, We love and sacrifice ...

Kyle Pederson

 

We are thankful for Mrs. Lingenhoel's many sacrifices throughout the years, making space for students to unite and speak through to their audiences through music, and through...

Sounding chords of compassion and grace [...]

Let mercy's eyes See the other human face.