In an exciting and rare opportunity, Erie High School’s choir program is getting ready for an unforgettable international experience. The choir has been invited by Dr. Nathan Payant, the choir director at Colorado State University (CSU), to join CSU’s ensemble in Austria and the Czech Republic in the summer of 2026. From May 31 to June 9, 2026, Erie High students will perform alongside CSU’s choir and other esteemed high school choirs in venues across central Europe, a region renowned for its rich musical and historical heritage.
The trip promises to be an incredible experience for Erie High students, offering them a chance to perform on an international stage, explore European culture, and build lasting memories. This collaboration not only celebrates the talent of Erie High’s students but also highlights the strong connection between local high school music programs and prestigious collegiate ensembles.
Erie High School’s choir program, under the direction of Thalia Burd, has been recognized for its excellence over the years. Burd’s leadership has fostered a widely recognized and high-achieving choir department, which has drawn the attention of Dr. Nathan Payant at CSU. Dr. Payant personally invited Erie High’s choir to join the talented CSU ensemble for this European tour, recognizing the high level of musicianship and dedication of Burd and her students.
“Dr. Payant personally invited EHS because he has been impressed with our program and students over the years,” Burd shared. “This invitation is such an honor for us, and we can’t wait to join CSU’s group for this incredible opportunity.”
The trip offers a unique opportunity for students who are enrolled in choir both semesters next school year. It’s an inclusive experience, as students’ families are also encouraged to participate, turning the trip into a potential family adventure as they travel to Austria and the Czech Republic together.
Burd explained that while the final list of participating schools is still being finalized, Windsor High School’s choir has also been invited to join the international performance. Windsor is another widely recognized program within the state, known for their vocal jazz and choral ensembles, similar to Erie. The collaboration will bring together a variety of voices from different schools, creating an exciting and diverse musical experience.
“Still determining which other Colorado schools are going, but Dr. Payant will have around 70 singers joining from his groups at CSU or Laudamus Chamber Chorale,” Burd added. This wide-ranging collaboration is sure to create a vibrant choral community across the different ensembles.
For Erie High School choir member Santi Nunez, this invitation to perform in Austria represents both a musical milestone and an opportunity to explore a part of the world he’s eager to learn more about. Santi Nunez, a member of Erie High’s mixed audition choir, CR5, expressed his excitement about the opportunity to sing in a country so deeply connected to music.
“I’m definitely looking forward to performing in Austria,” said Nunez. “Austria is an incredibly musically rich country, and to have the opportunity to sing there is so cool. I’m also really looking forward to getting to know both Austria and the Czech Republic from a touristic standpoint.”
He was immediately intrigued by the idea of performing internationally. Unlike other potential trips, such as a theatre-focused trip to New York City, the Austria trip was centered around choral music, making it a perfect fit for Nunez’s, and a handful of other students’ musical interests.
“I first heard about this opportunity when Mrs. Burd announced the trip opportunity for the first time back in April,” Nunez recalled. “I really wanted to go on this trip as I was very intrigued, and because it was the first choir field trip I was interested in. I felt as if the NYC trip offered this summer was too theatre-focused, while I was more interested in the Austria trip as it was more choral-focused.”
Nunez is currently a member of CR5 and is looking forward to the next school year, where he will be part of both CR5 and 5130, Erie High’s mixed auditioned jazz choir. He views the European trip as a valuable opportunity to deepen his musical experience.
“I’m currently in CR5, our school’s mixed audition choir. Next year I’m excited to be in both CR5 as well as 5130, our mixed auditioned jazz choir,” Nunez said. 5130 is coming off a historic year, being honored at the Colorado Music Educators Association, placing main stage at the annual CHSAA vocal competition for jazz, and scoring all superior ratings for the first time in program history at the Greeley Jazz Festival at UNC. CR5, on the other hand, scored nearly all superior ratings at the MSU Choral Festival this fall, and saw significant improvement across the choir.
“Being part of the choir program has really shaped me as a musician, and this trip will be a great way to showcase the skills we’ve been developing.”
Austria, the birthplace of some of the world’s greatest composers like Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert, holds a special place in the world’s musical history. For Nunez and his peers, the chance to perform in such a culturally and historically significant country is both an honor and a privilege. The opportunity to showcase their talents in venues with centuries of musical tradition is something they will never forget.
“Performing in Austria is such a unique opportunity for me,” Nunez said. “It’s a country that has produced some of the most influential composers in history, and to be able to perform there, especially with such a talented group, is going to be amazing.”
Beyond the music, the trip will also provide students with the opportunity to explore Austria’s cultural landmarks and history. Students will have the chance to tour Vienna’s historic sites, visit the beautiful Schönbrunn Palace, and perhaps experience the grandeur of Prague’s Old Town. The trip will offer a well-rounded cultural immersion, combining their musical passion with the chance to explore new places.
“I’m really excited to see the cities and countries we’ll be visiting, especially from a touristic standpoint,” Nunez said. “It’s going to be an amazing experience all around.”
As the choir students of Erie High School prepare for their journey to Austria and the Czech Republic, the excitement is palpable. Burd has been instrumental in organizing the trip with her students, making sure that they have every opportunity to make the most of this incredible experience.
“Having the chance to travel to Austria and perform with CSU’s choir is such an exciting and enriching experience for our students,” Burd said.
The trip to Europe will also offer Erie High students the opportunity to interact with their peers from Windsor High School and CSU, learning from their experiences and collaborating on a deeper level. For many, this will be the first time performing on such a grand scale and in internationally renowned venues.
While the trip itself will be an incredible musical experience, the lasting memories and friendships formed along the way will be just as important. And, something for students to look forward to even more is reconnecting with their old classmates. CSU has multiple performers who graduated from Erie, and old friends are excited to reunite. For Nunez, the friendships and experiences he will gain from this trip are what make it so special.
“I’m just really grateful to be part of such an amazing program and to have this chance to perform abroad.”
The summer of 2026 is still a year away, but for Erie High’s choir students, the anticipation is already building. As they prepare for what will surely be an unforgettable experience, they know that this trip will not only impact their musical growth but also broaden their view of the world.
The trip to Austria and the Czech Republic could be yet another catapult into bigger and better things for the Erie High School choir program, allowing students to gain a global perspective on music, culture, and education. For Burd, the opportunity to see her students perform at such a high level on an international stage is a proud moment for both her and the entire Erie High community.
For Santi Nunez and his fellow choir members, the adventure of a lifetime awaits. As they prepare for this extraordinary opportunity to perform in Austria and the Czech Republic, as well as travel across Europe, their excitement grows, and they look forward to making music, exploring new cultures, and building memories that will last a lifetime. None of this would be possible without the hard work and dedication of Erie’s choir students under the incredible leadership of Mrs. Burd, as well as the kindness from the CSU choir program for inviting the Erie and Windsor programs along.
