糖心Vlog

The , 糖心Vlog鈥檚 premier choral ensemble, continues to reach new heights in international competitions. The group took third place in the 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.聽

鈥淚 could not be prouder of these students,鈥� said Shannon Jeffreys, D.M.A., director of Choral Activities at Georgia Southern. 鈥淭hey sang with such passion, musical precision and sincerity. Every note came from the heart. On that stage, they weren鈥檛 just performing music; they were telling stories, sharing their souls and lifting up the very best of what choral music can be.鈥�

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.

鈥淲e had been talking in her office one day about writing something,鈥� Rowell said. 鈥淲e 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, 鈥楲et鈥檚 go with it!鈥欌��

Rowell鈥檚 song, 鈥淪omnambulism,鈥� which means 鈥渟leepwalking,鈥� 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鈥檚 piece, 鈥淢y Faith Still Holds,鈥� 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. 

鈥淚鈥檓 really good friends with the soloists,鈥� said Fruchtl. 鈥淚f I鈥檓 being honest, I really had Paul and Bret, who ultimately performed the piece, in mind for the solos when I wrote it. They鈥檙e just incredible.鈥�

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.

鈥淥pportunities like this one鈥攚here students engage at the highest level on an international stage鈥攁re transformative,鈥� said Jeffreys. 鈥淭hey 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鈥檒l carry for a lifetime鈥攁nd so will I.鈥�

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, in Berlin, Germany. Their global success also earned the singers national recognition as named a in 2024.