About 100 Chaska High School band and choir students will be traveling to Spain this spring break from March 26 to April 3, 2026. They will visit the cities of Barcelona, Valencia, Toledo, Segovia and Madrid, as well as several villages. The students will present three concerts during the tour.
The CHS band and choir program offers students the opportunity to go on an international performance tour every three years. Since 1999, they have traveled to several European countries including Germany, Austria, Italy, England and France. The 2020 trip to Spain was cancelled due to the pandemic.
Tim Beckler, director of bands at Chaska High School, wanted to take the students to Spain.
“It is a great country with some amazing UNESCO world heritage sites,” he said. “We will be visiting several — from the historic town of Toledo, the old center in Segovia, and Music Palau in Barcelona (among others).”
Students are enthusiastic about the upcoming trip.
Elliott Lopahs, a freshman, says, “I’m really excited because I’ve never been outside the country.” He’s looking forward to experiencing “a different culture and a different language.”
Finn Dunnigan, a trumpet player, has been studying Spanish for five years.
“I’ve learned a lot about the culture so I’m really looking forward to just seeing what it’s like in person, especially the architecture,” he said. “Also, spending time with people I know in a new place, it’s going to be awesome.”
Kate Geiger, a 10th grader, is “really excited for the exchange concert.” The concert she’s referring to is a very special joint performance with Spanish students in Aldaia. Held at the TAMA (Teatre Auditori Municipal d’Aldaia), this concert is part of a community effort to rebuild after severe flooding affected the Valencia region in 2024.
The Spain band and choir have been rehearsing during WIN times and on weekends to prepare for the trip.
Senior Elsie Lopahs commented on the band songs. “I like the repertoire in general,” she says. “My favorite would definitely be ‘Porgy and Bess.’ It’s unlike anything we do in our curricular band. It’s so fun and interesting.”
Chris Wagner, bassoon player, says, “My favorite song is definitely ‘Ayo.’ It’s dance-y, and it’s got some cool chords and rhythms.”
Mia Myers, a junior, says her favorite choir songs are “Tres Cantos” and “Riu Riu Chiu.” She’s looking forward to “singing in the cool concert spaces in Spain that will elevate the sound and our level of performance.”
Mackenzie Geiger, now a senior, went on the trip to Italy in 2023 as a freshman. She has some advice for her peers based on her experience.
“Just be open minded and willing to try new things, have new experiences, and have fun,” she said.
The Spain choir will perform at the upcoming Chaska High School choir concert on Thursday, March 19, at 7 p.m. in the CHS auditorium. The Spain band will present its own concert on Monday, March 23, at 7 p.m. in the CHS auditorium. Both concerts are free to the public.
