Glorious Music Fills the Chapel at Cantorum Concerts

      The final event of the 50th Annual Mount Michael Fall Festival was held in the chapel on Saturday evening, September 24, 2005. The Soli Deo Gloria Cantorum (21 voices), under the direction of Almeda Berkey, accompanied by a brass quintet, organ and timpani, performed sacred music selections at 6:30 and 7:30 P.M. concerts.

      Prominently featured in the program was the premiere of a commissioned piece written by Jackson Berkey. The composition, “No Boundaries,” was written in tribute to the monastic community on the occasion of the 50th Annual Fall Festival. Based on the hymn, “In Christ There is No East or West,” it also utilized Benedictine chant and words from “Amazing Grace.” The Berkey composition evolved out of several visits to the Mount Michael grounds and chapel and Benedictine information and materials supplied by Fr. John Hagemann, O.S.B.

       Almeda Berkey presented a signed copy of the new piece to Abbot Raphael Walsh, O.S.B., President of Mount Michael Benedictine School, during the 6:30 P.M. performance. The program also included other Berkey pieces, “Crux Fidelis” and “Walk Humbly With God,” which included audience participation. Other numbers were “Jesus Christ the Apple Tree,” “More Love” and “Salmo 150.”

       A reception was held in the student union following the performances.