“We are all aware, I am sure, that music, as a fine art, involves the creation of beauty.”
Sr. Cecilia Clare Bocard
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| Sr Cecilia Clare Bocard, S.P. |
Golden sunlight cascaded into the mosaic-like windows of Memorial United Methodist Church and glimmered onto the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Concert Band. Brass bells gleamed, silver keys shimmered, and Concert Band Director Dr. John McIntyre’s eyes twinkled as the band warmed up for night one of the Sacred Music Festival.
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| Carmela D'Agostino-Cozza on percussion |
Junior Carmela D’Agostino-Cozza spent the evening in a joyous frenzy, dancing among various percussion instruments, describing the evening as “exciting, nerve-wracking, and wild.” Dr. McIntyre’s passion for the music is what made the evening so special for her. “It was heartwarming to see the look of genuine satisfaction from Dr. Mac after each piece. It means a great deal to me that we were able to give his pieces justice, since he put such time and effort into them. He has a way of composing that paints the text in such a creative and profound way.”
Band members felt a uniting thread pulling them through the night and beginning to stitch the beautiful memory quilt together that was the Sacred Music Festival. In Carmela’s words, “This particular concert left not only the members astonished, but audience members as well…[it] was one of those unique instances where everyone partook in the journey through the music.”
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| SMWC Students attending the concert |
The impression of the night being a journey was also experienced by senior Music Therapy major and audience member Maddie DeBaun, who felt as if the concert signified the start of the weekend’s musical journey. "It was an inspiring first event for the festival. It helped those of us who were performing the next day feel the presence of God."
Not only did Maddie glean inspiration from the evening, but she experienced emotions for the performers on stage who happen to be significant in her life. "I thought the band concert was one of the best I have ever attended. As an audience member, I felt extremely connected to the band itself and I am very proud of my friends, but especially Dr. Mac."
Dr. McIntyre was the thread that fastened the first section of the theoretical memory quilt together, and he had his work cut out for him for the evening. Not only did he direct the Concert Band, but he led the band rehearsals, composed or arranged the vast majority of the pieces, and performed as a member of Crossroads Brass who made a guest appearance.
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| John McIntyre and Marques Jerrell Ruff |
“I am so fortunate to be able to work with great people in this Department. Everyone put a huge amount of work into making this Sacred Music Festival a success. I’m especially grateful to Michael Boswell for having a great idea and following it through! It gave me the opportunity to combine two of my favorite things: sacred music and wind band music. Put that together with our wonderful student musicians and community musicians, and the result was one of the best experiences of my life.”
Guest Artist Marques Jerrell Ruff, bass-baritone, cloaked the band, audience, and emerging ‘memory quilt’ with deep, rich, vocal colors. Sharon R. Boyle, Chair of the SMWC Music and Theatre Department, stated that “the singing of Marques could be felt in your bones…But I realized today that it was not just Marques’ glorious voice and presence, it was how he brought each of us into the experience with him.”
Mr. Ruff had his own thoughts about the experience. “People came into the sacred space with an open heart and a willingness to let music, and love, fill that space. It is an experience I won’t soon forget.”
Students, community members, and professors will remember the magic and beauty that was brought into the Terre Haute community at Memorial United Methodist Church on March 2, 2023. The Concert Band concert was only the first event of the Sacred Music Festival.
Author: Avery Stein, sophomore, Music Therapy Student Assistant
Photo Credits: SMWC Marketing and Communications; Sharon R. Boyle, Chair of Department of Music and Theatre
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For more information about the SMWC music programs, contact:
Admissions@smwc.edu
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