The Saint Vincent Camerata, in its 51st season, is a 30-member mixed chorus made up of vocalists from Saint Vincent College, Seminary, Monastery and surrounding communities. Under the direction of Father Stephen Concordia O.S.B. since 2008, the Camerata performs sacred choral repertoire from the Middle Ages to modern times, especially of the Catholic tradition, but also of other Christian traditions, with various ensembles and ‘a cappella’; including Chatham Baroque (pictured above), Khasma Piano Duo, Academy Chamber Orchestra, and with vocalists of international fame: Lara Lynn McGill, Olga Perez Flora, Jaime Flora, Craig Verm, Joseph Gaines, and Daniel Teadt.
The Camerata has offered concert programs in numerous churches in the Pittsburgh area, at the Johnstown Concert Series, and, with the ‘All-University Chorus’ at Heinz Hall with the Pittsburgh Symphony under the direction of Manfred Honeck. They regularly perform with other distinguished choirs, including ‘Essence of Joy’ (Penn State), Schola Cantorum Franciscana (Steubenville) and with choirs in Bergamo and Lodi, during their their three choral trips to Italy. The Camerata is planning a tour of Bavarian Benedictine Monasteries in June of 2020.
Father Stephen Concordia, O.S.B., a monk and priest of Saint Vincent Archabbey, has directed the Camerata since 2008. He is visiting assistant professor in charge of the Sacred Music Program at Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he directs the Schola Cantorum Franciscana, and teaches Gregorian Chant, Choral Conducting, Advanced Music Theory, History of Music, Documents of the Church on Sacred Music. Father Stephen holds advanced degrees from the New England Conservatory of Music, Boston and from the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music, Rome.
The Camerata 2019-2020 season includes:
2019 | NOVEMBER
Saint Vincent Camerata with Neil Stahurski, organist
Been in the Storm So Long:
a Choral prayer in Troubled Times
Featuring organ improvisation, Gregorian chant, Palestrina, E. Esenvalds, S. Paulus, J.L. Ames, H. Howells, H. Sumsion, F. Poulenc
7:30 p.m. Friday, November 8
Church of the Assumption, Bellevue
Off-campus performance: Freewill donation
7:30 p.m. Saturday, November 9
Saint Vincent Basilica
Tickets: $12 | Call 724-805-2177 |
www.saintvincentarts.org
2019 | DECEMBER
Saint Vincent Camerata
Sixth Annual Festival of Lessons and Carols
7 p.m. Thursday, December 5
Saint Vincent Basilica
Tickets: $12 | Telephone 724-805-2177 |
www.saintvincentarts.org
Start off the Christmas season with the Saint Vincent Camerata’s traditional Festival of Lessons and Carols in the Saint Vincent Basilica. The Camerata was created in the spirit of the Florentine “Camerata dei Bardi”, a 16th century gathering of friends dedicated to music, poetry, art, and science. Comprised of singers from the College, Seminary, Monastery and from the communities surrounding Saint Vincent Archabbey, the Camerata has been under the direction of Father Stephen Concordia, O.S.B. since 2008.
2020 | FEBRUARY
Saint Vincent Camerata
world premiere performance of
All Saints Requiem by Douglas P. Starr
Saint Paul’s Episcopal Chancel Choir; Schola Cantorum Franciscana; Katy Schackleton Williams, soprano; Valerie Vernon-Thomas, mezzo; Rich Williams, tenor; Daniel Teadt, baritone; Chaz Bowers, organist;
Father Stephen Concordia, O.S.B., conductor.
7:30 p.m. Friday, February 28
Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, Mount Lebanon
Off-campus performance: Freewill donation
7:30 p.m. Saturday, February 29
Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica
Tickets: $12 | Telephone 724-805-2177 |
www.saintvincentarts.org
The Camerata will be joined by the Schola Cantorum Franciscana; Katy Schackleton Williams, soprano; Valerie Vernon-Thomas, mezzo; Rich Williams, tenor; Daniel Teadt, baritone; Chaz Bowers, organist, in the world premiere of the All Saints Requiem by Douglas P. Starr.
View the 2019-2020 arts and concert season booklet in pdf format.