LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18)– The images of the damage to the Notre Dame Cathedral from a Monday fire continue to strike a chord with millions across the world, including the University of Kentucky Chorale.
The chorale was scheduled to perform at the Cathedral during a concert tour of France next month.
“It was one of those places where choirs, in particular, all wanted to perform it, everybody wants to perform at the cathedral of Notre Dame,” said UK Chorale Director Jefferson Johnson.
Johnson said he was glued to his TV, watching helplessly as the fire raged through Notre Dame.
“It’s just devastation. It’s the loss of one of our premier performing venues in the world, maybe the premier performing venue for sacred music in the entire world,” he said.
Johnson had conducted there twice and was looking forward to the chance to share the experience with his students, who felt humbled by the opportunity to perform inside.
“It’s probably every choral squire’s dream to sing in Notre Dame at least once in their lifetime,” said Audrey Adams.
The chorale will still perform at other Cathedrals in France, but Johnson said that they’ll still carve out time to visit the majestic church that has meant so much to the world of music.
“We won’t go inside and we won’t perform there, and they’ll know, ‘okay, this is a place I want to come back to and perform later in my life. When it’s rebuilt,'” said Johnson.
