Ever-growing volunteer choir sings praise for the Lord

Diocesan Festival Choir to offer annual concert Nov. 23

Back in 2018, the Cazenovia College/Community Choir of about 45 singers performed the St. Cecilia Mass by Charles Gounod under the direction of Peter Ciarelli. Soon after, some of the choir members acted on an idea – ‘wouldn’t it be beautiful to offer this concert in the newly renovated Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse, in honor of St. Cecilia, the patroness of music?’ they mused. They put out a call to other singers from around the Diocese of Syracuse, and with the help of several music directors (Frank Schultz of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Andrew Suite of St. Joseph & St. Patrick in Utica, Jim Feeney of Holy Trinity in Fulton, Glen Armstrong, director of the Franciscan Church of the Assumption, and Steven Medicis of Transfiguration Church in Syracuse) the number of singers doubled and the Diocesan Festival Choir was born.

In the years since, the festival choir has come together on the Sunday before Thanksgiving (near the feast day of St. Cecilia, Nov. 22) to offer a performance of one of the great choral works written for the Church. Past performances have included the St. Cecilia Mass by Charles Gounod, Requiem Mass by Gabriel Faure, Mass in C Major by Franz Schubert, and the Coronation Mass by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

This year, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 23, the choir of over 100 singers, under the direction of conductor Peter Ciarelli, will offer the Mass in C Major, Op. 86 by Ludwig van Beethoven. Soloists Julia Ebner, Katherine Weber, Daniel Fields, and David Rudari will be accompanied by an orchestra of 25 local musicians including Brian Dusell, PhD, director of music for the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

The choir includes 116 volunteer singers from around the diocese, and 27 students from the Cazenovia High School Chamber Choir, who will open the concert and then join the larger choir for the main program. The number of singers has grown so much in recent years that the choir has needed to change the location of their setup at the Cathedral to accommodate the growing group.

The annual concert is the result of generous contributions by many, and is truly a community effort. Jay Yennock (nephew of the late, great Monsignor Eugene Yennock) of China Towne Furniture volunteers his movers to transport all of the choir equipment (risers, timpanis, and music stands) from Bishop Ludden-Grimes Jr/Sr High School to the Cathedral, and the equipment itself is donated by Bishop Ludden-Grimes. Monsignor Neal Quartier graciously offers the Cathedral as the welcoming space for the concert to be performed. Father John Kurgan of St. Daniel Church in Lyncourt provides the church as rehearsal space where the group gathers for several weeks practicing for their performance. Amy Sansone, superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Syracuse, also provides generous support for the concert.

While the concert is free and open to the public, voluntary donations at entrances will be accepted for Music for the Mission, an organization that supports people facing hunger and homelessness in Syracuse and the surrounding area.

What: Diocesan Festival Choir
When: 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23
Where: Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 259 East Onondaga St., Syracuse, 13202
Cost: Free, with donations accepted for Mission for the Mission