ASM Returns to UMary for New Premiere!

Dear friends of Angelico Sacred Music,

It gives me abundant joy to share that Angelico’s newest composition will be premiered by Cappella, the University of Mary Chapel Choir, on Sunday, February 15th!

Glory Be is a poetic theological composition that embellishes upon the simple prayer that we know by heart, and musically unpacks the original text’s richness to reveal a new dimension of beauty. This idea for Glory Be came to me during my Trinitarian theology class in seminary, and I have been eagerly looking forward to this announcement ever since.

Ryan Everson with Cappella for the premiere of “Our Father” in April 2024

As you may remember, Cappella was the first choir ASM collaborated with, and it is one of the premiere Catholic choirs in the United States. Featuring a large group of talented student vocalists, all of whom are on music scholarship at University of Mary in Bismarck, ND, Cappella recently released a 28-song album(!) in November. This landmark project garnered national Catholic media attention before it was even released.

Approaching this upcoming premiere with Angelico, Cappella’s founding director, Dr. Rebecca Raber, shared some thoughts on the importance of new compositions like Glory Be.

“The creation of sacred music, both in performance and composition, is not only valuable, but absolutely integral in the life of the Church,” she shared. “Just as our faith is a living faith, music is a living art. Music is not meant to sit on a dusty shelf or in someone’s distant memory. Sacred music is meant to enliven and enkindle a human heart and draw it closer to God through beauty and wonder.”

Speaking to Glory Be’s unique beauty, the students shared their immediate enthusiasm for various parts of the piece after its first rehearsal last week, commenting on the nature of their respective voice parts, the climax sending Soprano 1s to high Bb above the staff, and more.

“I think it’s really neat how the texture of the piece switches from everybody singing together, to all of a sudden … we’re singing in polyphony, and then back and forth. It’s really interesting,” shared Emma Lynch, the choir’s student conductor who sang on Our Father in 2024.

On another note, Angelico’s Cardinal Newman Fellow, Mary Schmitz, who sings alto in Cappella, commented on the lyrics of Glory Be. “I love how the text expands on the theology of the mystery of the Trinity. The setting of the text beautifully demonstrates how the three are one God yet each unique persons,” she shared.

Lastly, reflecting on this return to UMary from a personal perspective, I felt moved to share a brief story with you:

Rehearsal with Cappella at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver (October 2023)

Over two years ago, in October of 2023, an Angelico piece was rehearsed for the very first time when Cappella came to the seminary in Denver. During the visit, Dr. Raber generously offered her choir’s time to sing through my scrappy, unfinished rough draft of Our Father. As the rehearsal started, a growing group of seminarians gathered downstairs to listen as they texted and called each other to share what was happening. To this day, some of them tell me that hearing Cappella that evening was one of their most beautiful experiences during seminary.

After I closed the rehearsal in prayer and bid Cappella farewell, another Diocese of Phoenix seminarian approached me said, “Ryan, I really don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but … this is our third year living with you, and we didn’t know you could smile like that.”

It was a moving realization for them, and for me. After being more than 4 years out of music school at ASU, I didn’t realize how greatly I had missed the beauty of classical music, and how it can lift our hearts, minds, and spirits like nothing else on earth. This is especially true when we’re creating music with wonderful people out of a shared love for our faith.

Gratefully, the smiles did not stop there. A few months later, I traveled to University of Mary to be with Cappella for the premiere of Our Father on April 14, 2024. The following day, I prayed at the Bismarck airport for the opportunity to share that experience with them again, and I am so grateful that petition has now been answered.

Please pray for Angelico and Cappella as we prepare to bring this beautiful piece of musical art to life for the first time, and thank you so much for your continued support.

For the beauty of the Church,

Ryan Everson

Composer & Executive Director

Angelico Sacred Music

“Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Cor. 16:14)