An evening of luminous choral artistry filled Mater Dei Chapel as MSJ ensembles united in a powerful, expressive program celebrating light, community, and the enduring beauty of song.
On the evening of April 29, 2026, the resonant beauty of Mater Dei Chapel at Mount St. Joseph University was transformed into a sanctuary of sound as the university’s choral ensembles presented a stunning concert centered on themes of light, voice, and shared expression. Featuring the combined artistry of the University Singers, Chamber Singers, and Voices of Gold, the performance was a moving testament to the power of collective music-making.
From the opening notes, the University Singers set a tone of warmth and expansiveness with Sarah Quartel’s Wide Open Spaces, their full choral sound filling the chapel with a sense of possibility. Their performance of Sing My Soul His Wondrous Love by Sarah MacDonald showcased the ensemble’s ability to balance reverence with rich musicality, while Rosephanye Powell’s I Want to Be Ready, featuring a compelling solo by Sharon Bader, brought emotional depth and spiritual urgency to the program.
The Voices of Gold, under the direction of student conductor Marisa Larson, offered a vibrant contrast with their contemporary a cappella selections. Their rendition of Carole King’s I Feel the Earth Move (arr. Deke Sharon) was energetic and engaging, highlighting the group’s precision and stylistic flair. The ensemble’s performance of Desert Song further demonstrated their versatility, blending interesting harmonic colors with expressive nuance in a way that captivated the audience.
The Chamber Singers, the university’s select choral ensemble, delivered a series of refined and deeply expressive works. Stephanie Martin’s Ave Verum Corpus was performed with clarity and sensitivity, honoring the sacred text with poised restraint. Eleanor Daley’s Upon Your Heart and Sarah Quartel’s Density of Light showcased the ensemble’s precision and emotional range, drawing listeners into moments of quiet reflection and luminous beauty.
In one of the evening’s most memorable and heartfelt moments, the concert paused for a joyful surprise. The choirs joined together in an impromptu rendition of Happy Birthday for Dean Michael Sontag, led by his daughter, freshman Zola Sontag. The spontaneous performance brought smiles across the chapel, blending the concert’s spirit of community with a deeply personal celebration. It was a touching reminder of the close-knit nature of the Mount community and the meaningful relationships that underpin its artistic life.
The concert concluded with the University Singers’ performance of Gwyneth Walker’s arrangement of How Can I Keep from Singing, a fitting and uplifting finale that echoed the program’s central theme. The piece served as both a musical and philosophical culmination, leaving the audience with a profound sense of connection and inspiration.
This extraordinary evening was made possible through the leadership and collaboration of dedicated faculty and staff, including conductors Marisa Larson and Dr. David Castillo, and accompanists Dr. Eunhwa Lee and Susan Dantoni. Their artistry and guidance were evident in every moment of the performance.
More than just a concert, the evening was a celebration of community, creativity, and the enduring spirit of song. It reflected Mount St. Joseph University’s commitment to fostering artistic excellence while creating meaningful, shared experiences. As the final notes reverberated through Mater Dei Chapel, one truth remained clear: in a world that often feels divided, music continues to bring us together—and indeed, how can we keep from singing?
