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Senior Singers Make Memories to Last a Life-time in Eternal City

Faith and Values

St Aloysius’ College Schola Cantorum experienced the trip of a life-time as they treated the people of Rome to outstanding performances in the Basilica of San’Eustachio and the Vatican’s St Peter’s Basilica.

The College’s Senior Liturgical Choir, the Schola Cantorum, were delighted to help the Scots College of Rome celebrate their 400th Anniversary with a concert in Basilica of San’Eustachio, and greatly honored to perform a full Latin Mass in the Vatican’s St Peter’s Basilica.

Mr Roberts, the Director of Choral Music at the College described both performances as ‘outstanding’ and said that the Aloysians should be very proud of what they had achieved.

The College’s Head of Co-Curricular, Mr Giroux was also full of praise for everyone involved in College Trips to Europe over the February break which included the Schola trip to Rome, a Basketball Trip to Spain and a Physics trip to the CERN Large Hadron Collider, in Switzerland.

“I would like to thank all the staff that organised and supervised these trips and the pupils who took up these opportunities and acted as excellent ambassadors for the College on their journeys.”

Jessica Scullion of S6, a member of the Schola Cantorum, said the trip was one of the ‘highlights of her time at the College’ as she penned a reflection which you can read below.

Jessica Scullion - A Reflection from Rome

“Last Sunday the Schola Cantorum boarded a flight to Rome, Italy’s capital city.  Everyone was excited - after all, Rome is famous for its stunning architecture, famous cathedrals, breathtaking views and, most importantly, its food! 

Our trip really started the day after we arrived.  Monday was our sightseeing day and we visited numerous sights, including the Colosseum, the Forum and the Circus Maximus.  What was fascinating about these places was their history - they have been standing since the time of the famous Emperor Ceasar and have been attracting people to Rome for thousands of years.

On Monday we also visited the church of San Ignacio, more commonly known to us as St. Ignatius, and an added bonus to this was that this church is where St.  Aloysius himself is buried.

For me, visiting the magnificent Trevi Fountain was Monday’s real highlight - when I visited Rome with the latin department last year, this landmark was covered in scaffolding, however, one year on, it could not have looked more different - the water was a clear blue, and the white marble was shining so beautifully in the sunshine that you could almost see your face.  Being able to just sit on the steps of the Trevi Fountain with my friends and eat ice cream was amazing.

Tuesday started off with a tour of the Scavi, the Vatican’s underground city, which is full of graves which belonged to families from Ancient Rome.  We then climbed the 551 steps up to the top of the Vatican, which was no easy feat, considering we were all wearing our uniforms.  However, the view from the top made it worth it.  However, for me personally, the highlight of Tuesday was singing a Mass in the Vatican - singing in St. Peters Church was nothing short of a surreal experience.  It still feels like a dream, even a week later, and it is something which I will never forget.  We finished Tuesday with a sold-out concert in the Church of San Eustachio which is situated near the Pantheon.  I’m sure my fellow choir members would agree that singing in a church in Rome, full of strangers who we had never met before and who had come to hear a choir from Scotland sing, was extremely humbling and a very emotional experience.

Wednesday was our last day in Rome and was the day we finally saw our beloved Pope Francis - sitting watching the Papal Audience in St Peters Square in the nineteen degree heat in February was another unforgettable experience, and many, many pictures were taken.  Our last stop of the trip was the top of the Vittorio Emmanuel monument, more commonly known as the Type Writer - the view from the top of this building is incredible - the equivalent of Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower or New York from the top of the Rockefeller Centre, and it was even more special because there was not a single cloud in the sky. 

After one last ice cream, we reluctantly got on the bus and headed to Ciampino airport.

Overall, our trip to Rome was easily one of my highlights of my time here at the college, and I would like to thank Mr Roberts, Mrs Mcleod, Miss Archibald, Mr Reid and Mr Christie for making it possible.  The people I went with all mean so, so much to me and I’m sure I speak for Colum, Natalie, Laura and Aine when I say we will greatly miss the music department next year.”