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The SingFest flag (photo by Nathan) [Yellow flag with the words “Merton SingFest / Wimbledon Choral / Merton Music Foundation” hanging outside of a church building]

Hannah ’28 writes about our first performance of the trip here:

Our second full day in London was one of the busiest and most rewarding days of the trip. In the late morning we attended the SingFest choral festival in Wimbledon, where we performed among several community choirs from throughout London. Under the direction of Daniel Mahoney, the festival kicked off with singing We Raise Our Voice in Song with all the choirs. The older ladies who I stood next to were incredibly friendly and sang their hearts out, and everyone was smiling and having a great time. Each choir then performed two to three songs, showcasing upcoming concert repertoire or simply sharing fun music they were working on.

Garnet Singers ready to sing (photo by Colette) [Members of Garnet Singers standing and smiling outside of the church, wearing concert black uniforms and holding music folders in preparation]

Garnet Singers was the second group to perform, and we sang a number of songs, including Cells Planets, which the audience seemed to really enjoy, and To Sit and Dream. As we performed, the atmosphere of the room was encouraging, supportive, and not stressful at all. Rather than feeling like we had to impress or prove ourselves, it felt more like contributing to an atmosphere of shared love for music, regardless of age, nationality, and experience. As each choir stepped off stage to make room for the next group, I imagined a dining table with everyone seated around it, with each person bringing a dish to the potluck, while also being able to taste and savor the food on the rest of the table. From the “oldies” choir to the youth choir, I saw the importance and joy of singing throughout all stages of life and the gift of community that it provides. It made me appreciate the community that Garnet Singers has become to me at Swarthmore even more, and the opportunity to sing with friends and strangers who love to sing too.

Performing at SingFest (photo by Pat) [Garnet Singers’ director Nathan speaking on a microphone to introduce a piece during the performance while members of the group stand behind]

When all the choirs came together at the end to sing We Raise Our Voice in Song once more, it was a full circle moment, full of lighthearted laughter, music-making, and enough sound to be heard from outside the church. Standing outside the church, with some homemade ginger bread I bought from the bake sale, I felt like I had been a part of something magical, and I will be sure to continue singing even after I leave Swarthmore.

Garnet Singers departed campus on May 14, the last day of final exams, though many students still had work to wrap up for the semester. Nonetheless, spirits were high for the journey, and when we arrived in Heathrow on the morning of May 15 we didn’t let sleepiness or jet lag get in the way!

The group made our way to the Aldgate area to leave our things at the hotel before venturing out to see the sights on a lovely (if brisk!) London spring day. The group took advantage of the free time to acclimate and visit landmarks like the Tower of London, Shakespeare’s Globe, and Borough Market.

View of The Shard (photo by Nathan) [A London street with the tall Shard skyscraper in the background and numerous cars, double-decker buses, and businesses in the foreground]

Students at the Tower of London (photo by Hannah) [Several members of Garnet Singers standing and smiling for a photo with a castle in the background]

Chaperones at the Tower Bridge (photo by Colette) [Three chaperones standing and smiling on a bridge with a tower in the background]

In the evening, Garnet Singers gathered at the gorgeous St Martin-in-the-Fields Church at Trafalgar Square to watch a beautiful and inspiring performance by ORA Singers, a fantastic professional choir. On the program was a fascinating set of pieces called The Lost Words by composer James Burton, a musical setting of several “Spell Songs” on texts by Robert Macfarlane. These whimsical pieces are each based on a nature word that was removed from a British children’s dictionary based on lack of use. Garnet Singers got a kick out of hearing lines like “oh newt, you are too cute!” and “ever dreamed of being otter?” sung impeccably, although, for sleep-deprived and jet-lagged Swatties, the transporting effect of these spells was certainly potent!

Garnet Singers is an advanced, auditioned chamber choir and part of the Swarthmore College Department of Music. In May 2026, the group was honored to participate in its first-ever international travel experience, made possible thanks to generous support from the Swarthmore Provost’s Office as part of the college’s unique embedded study trip program.

Group photo outside of Ely Cathedral (photo by Hsiao-Han) [Members of Garnet Singers standing and kneeling in front of a small brick wall and a much larger cathedral building after a performance]

For just over a week in the busy time between final exams and Commencement, 25 students and four faculty and staff chaperones visited London and Cambridge, U.K. The trip enhanced and supplemented work Garnet Singers did throughout the year to learn about and engage with the rich tradition of choral music in England, offering an incredible opportunity to see, hear, and participate in that tradition first-hand and in partnership with many different choirs and conductors. Over the course of the week, Garnet Singers performed eight different times alongside several different collaborating choirs, attended concerts, participated in workshops and rehearsals, and made new connections with fellow singers from around the world—and with one another.

Please enjoy a window into the experience of the Garnet Singers 2026 embedded study trip, as told by student participants!

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