Mary’s Cappella Choir Performs World Premiere of Philip Stopford’s ‘O Sacrum Convivium’
Cappella to Perform at Cathedral of Saint Paul’s Luminosa event in December before National Eucharistic Congress in July 2024
BISMARCK, ND — A standing-room-only crowd of students, faculty, and clergy recently packed the iconic Our Lady of the Annunciation Chapel on campus for Mass and the world premiere performance of “O Sacrum Convivium” — a piece written by world-renowned composer Philip Stopford specifically for University of Mary’s very popular and in-demand liturgical choir, Cappella, as it continues its Eucharistic Project to celebrate the National Eucharistic Revival.
The breathtaking performance can be viewed on YouTube. Stopford shared the recording of
“O Sacrum Convivium” on his social media platforms and expressed joy and congratulatory words to Cappella and its director Dr. Rebecca Raber.
“Congratulations on the world premiere performance and thank you again for the commission,” Stopford said in a letter to Raber. “It’s a wonderful performance. You are doing wonderful work with your choir and sharing the gift of music with so many. This is God’s work. I have never been to North Dakota, but perhaps one day we can plan something exciting, and I can come and visit you all for a Stopford concert or service perhaps. Wouldn’t that be fun.”
Once the semester began in September, Raber recalls one of the memorable live correspondence Cappella had with Stopford as they were practicing in Our Lady of Annunciation Chapel on campus, and he was at work in the United Kingdom.
“A few weeks before the premiere we had a Zoom session with Stopford which was unique — at that point there were only 30 people in the world who knew about the piece: Stopford, me, and the 28 Cappella students. We sang the piece for him to make sure we were on the right track as far as what his artistic vision was — and he was very pleased. It was quite an opportunity for the students to work on the music with him. They surely realized that sacred music is a living, breathing thing that can point souls to the beauty of the Eucharist.”
“I wanted to honor this text with my own composition, and the University of Mary, with its tradition and Catholic faith seemed the perfect choir to premiere this new motet,” added Stopford. “The human voice is the greatest of all instruments. No other instrument can combine text and music. There is no bow, no keys, no reed, no hammer. The sacred texts are only truly shared by the human voice.”
Stopford plans to release the “O Sacrum Convivium” sheet music for purchase in late January 2024.
The entire process of rehearsing not only “O Sacrum Convivium” and over two dozen other Eucharistic music pieces, including antiphons, hymns, and chants, for the Eucharistic Revival has taken two years. Cappella has already showcased the fruits of their labor with performances locally, around the United States, and this past summer singing at some European sites of Eucharistic miracles. Raber says some of the European performances were also recorded and will be made available in the future through Cappella’s social media accounts.
Cappella also plans to sing by candlelight during their upcoming 2023 Luminosa event Saturday, December 9, at the Cathedral of Saint Paul, MN. This third annual event is free and open to the public with Cathedral of Saint Paul Schola headlining, along with showcasing choirs from Cretin-Derham Hall, Chesterton Academy of the St. Croix Valley, Holy Family Catholic High School, St. Agnes School, Unity High School, and Visitation High School.
Students interested in trying out for Cappella can learn more by visiting their website.
Cappella Members:
Soprano:
Sophia Ahlquist, Bloomington, MN
Cecilia Brennan, St. Paul MN
Curstin Larson, Gilman, MN
Kamryn Morrison, Minot, ND
Emily Storick (organist), Bismarck, ND
Mary Storick, Bismarck, ND
Tatiana Van Tiem, Stevens Point, WI
Alto:
Kendall Alexander, Eau Claire, WI
Emma DeVries (organist), Des Moines, IA
Maggie Havlicek, Elko, MN
Rebecca Rell, Merrill, WI
Mary Scherber, West St. Paul, MN
Mary Schmitz, St. Paul, MN
Sebella Sorenson, New England, ND
Tenor:
Robert Bushee, St. Paul, MN
Leo Colling, Jordan, MN
Brian Donaldson, Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Aidan Koop, Ham Lake, MN
Marshall Milless, Coon Rapids, MN
William Oakes, Stillwater, MN
Dominic Plummer, Rockmart, GA
Bass:
Simon Bowden, Fargo, ND
Jacob Ganzer, Maple Grove, MN
Matthew Lynch, Tony, WI
Nicholas Lynch, Holcombe, WI
Isaiah Maertens, Center, ND
Caleb Raes, Deloraine, MB, Canada
Keagan Walker, Fargo, ND
Anyone who wishes to learn more about the University of Mary can do so at www.umary.edu or by contacting an admissions representative at enroll@umary.edu, or by calling (701) 355-8030. The University of Mary is one of only 15 Recommended Cardinal Newman Society Residential Colleges and Universities in the US.
About the University of Mary: True to its motto “lumen vitae”—The Light of Life—the University of Mary offers education for the whole of life through cutting-edge professional programs and graduate programs animated by moral courage and leadership in chosen professions and service to the community. A private, co-educational Catholic institution, the University of Mary welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds.
A Christian, Catholic, Benedictine institution founded in 1959 by the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery, Mary offers nearly 60 bachelor’s, 18 master’s, and five doctoral programs—in Business Administration, Education, Nursing Practice, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy. The 20-sport Athletic Department adheres to its Greatness Through Virtue mission under the governance of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA), and the USA College Clay Target League. With more than 3,800 students, Mary has locations in North Dakota, Montana, Arizona, Rome, Italy, as well as vibrant online offerings.