Hello, Angelico Sacred Music friends! My name is Mary Scherber, and I am one of ASM's Compositional Advisors. I received my Bachelor of Science in Music from the University of Mary this past April of 2024, and since then have launched my career in sacred music. I am currently the Director of Music at St. Jude of the Lake Catholic Church in Mahtomedi, MN, just north of the Twin Cities. Some highlights of this position are I oversee all musicians, cantors, and accompanists in the parish, conduct the two parish choirs, both a year-round adult choir and a seasonal children's choir, and often play piano or organ or cantor for Masses, funerals, and weddings.

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Mary Scherber, Compositional Advisor

While studying at the University of Mary, I had the privelege of being a part of the University's Chapel Choir, Cappella, under the direction of Dr. Rebecca Raber. This choir taught me so much about Sacred Music, toured multiple times per year nationwide and even internationally, sang for every major campus liturgy, including every Wednesday and Sunday Mass, and fostered some of the deepest friendships I've ever known. I also worked for the Campus Ministry team, assisting Dr. Raber in programming music for Mass, designing worship aids, etc. I truly owe everything I know today about Sacred Music to the University and their incredible professors. 

Some other fun musical facts about me: I've been playing piano since I was 5 years old. While vocal/choral music is my primary focus, I can play piano, organ, trumpet, guitar, and percussion. I was part of many ensembles in college, including Concert Choir, Percussion Ensemble, and String Ensemble. I've taught piano and voice lessons since 2022, and hope to open my own music studio someday. My favorite choral composers are Philip Stopford and Elaine Hagenberg. And, last but not least, while I have a deep and forever love for the treasure troves of sacred music, I also have a secret passion for 20th century music, particularly piano music that uses extended techniques, discovered through my performance of Emma Lou Diemer's Tocatta for Piano.