Christendom College is continuing to expand its liturgical music offerings with the creation of a brand-new choir this semester: the St. Cecilia Choir, directed by Mrs. Debbie Harne, wife of Christendom President George A. Harne, Ph.D. Named for the patron saint of musicians, the choir was founded to give students an opportunity to enrich the college’s worship life by singing sacred music at the new Advent Lessons and Carols this December in Christ the King Chapel.
While the college already offers men’s and women’s scholas that sing for weekday Masses and a mixed choir for Sunday Mass, the St. Cecilia Choir marks the college’s first seasonal ensemble. Mrs. Harne, founder and director of the new initiative, shared her hope that the St. Cecilia Choir would fill a gap in Christendom’s musical opportunities with its unique focus.
“In speaking with students, I discovered that many enjoyed singing, but their schedules did not allow them to make the commitment to sing in the choirs that provide music for Sunday Masses. These conversations led me to consider how such an opportunity could be provided for them,” says Mrs. Harne. “Offering the celebration of an Advent Lessons and Carols Service seemed to be a perfect fit. God calls us to lift our voices in praise of Him in every season, and this service allows us to do so as a community during Advent.”
The setting of Advent Lessons and Carols for the St. Cecilia Choir’s performance is completely new to the college but well-suited to the new choir’s purposes.
“Lessons and Carols was first sung in England in 1880 in the Anglican Truro Cathedral. This para-liturgical service has been adopted by Catholics as a way to help prepare for the coming of Christmas. While the exact structure varies, the service always includes a series of lessons from Scripture with each followed by a carol in response to the lesson,” explains Mrs. Harne. “Some Advent Lessons and Carols are sung at the end of Advent and include Christmas carols. However, ours will take place on the second Sunday in Advent and will stay firmly planted in that season.”
The members of the St. Cecilia Choir, which includes 48 students and one faculty member and his wife, are thrilled to be involved in a choir that carefully integrates both vocal technique and exposure to new music.
“I have gained so much from being in the St. Cecilia Choir,” shared sophomore Marigrace Nilson, a member of several campus choirs. “Mrs. Harne not only teaches us the hymns and motets themselves, but also she is gradually showing us how to sing well…Mrs. Harne ensures that the choir members, no matter their previous experience, are strong singers both as a group and individually.”
This December, the St. Cecilia Choir will be performing ten musical pieces and a Matins Responsory, including classic motets like Hassler’s Dixit Maria, traditional carols such as O Come Divine Messiah, and adaptations of chants like O Come, O Come Emmanuel.
Mrs. Harne further shared her desire that students in the St. Cecilia Choir found it an opportunity for both vocal development and musical enjoyment, including in years to come.
“My hope is that the St. Cecilia Choir will serve the students by providing a way for them to learn, create and share. I hope it will provide them with the opportunity to improve their voices while learning new music, participate in the act of creating beauty– which is a type of true leisure– and share their musical talents to enrich our community,” says Mrs. Harne. “I do hope the St. Cecilia Choir can continue in future years and that it will bring the joy of the Lord to those who sing and to those who listen.”
Christendom’s musical opportunities are open to all students, not just those pursuing a music degree. With a mixed choir, student-run folk group, orchestral ensemble, and separate male and female scholas already active on campus, St. Cecilia Choir provides yet another opportunity for students to use their musical talents to enrich the Christendom community.
Christendom’s Advent Lessons and Carols will be held in Christ the King Chapel at 7 p.m. on December 7.
Contributed by Bridget Palm ’28.