Concert Celebrates the Mount’s Musical Heritage

A concert in celebration of the 160th anniversary of Mount St. Scholastica Monastery was performed by the Benedictine College Chamber Singers on November 5, 2023.

The concert, performed in St. Scholastica Chapel, featured the world premiere of the song “The Miracle of St. Scholastica,” written by BC professor Timothy Jon Tharaldson, conductor of the choir. Also performed for the first time was the song “Simple Gifts” with new lyrics specific to our Benedictine monastic life by Dr. Ruth E. Krusemark and Janie Hiner and a new arrangement by Dr. Krusemark, who provided piano accompaniment.

Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica have a tradition of teaching music lessons, playing instruments at prayers and Mass, and writing music that extends to the founding sisters, who brought a violin with them to Atchison in 1863 and taught music lessons in their first school. The concert by the Benedictine College Chamber Singers was thus a fitting way to celebrate the Mount’s musical heritage.

After the concert, guests enjoyed a reception featuring dove-shaped cookies (in honor of Saint Scholastica, whose soul ascended to heaven in the form of a dove as witnessed by her brother, Saint Benedict). Many guests took the opportunity to explore the community’s Heritage Room, which is housed in St. Cecilia’s and includes artifacts and stories pertaining to life at the Mount during the past 160 years.