Musica Sacra, Latin for "sacred music," Chorus and Orchestra performs sacred choral masterworks. It is the ensemble-in-residence at Rockhurst University, presented under the auspices of The Center for Arts and Letters and led by musical director and conductor Dr. Timothy L. McDonald. The fall and spring performances occur in Arrupe Hall auditorium.
The 2021 spring performance was recorded and emailed to the Center for Arts and Letters email list. The full recording of this concert is above.
The ensemble performed Giovanni Battista Pergolesi’s (1710-1736) Stabat Mater and String Quartet in C Minor, Op. 1, No. 4, by Chevalier de Saint Georges (1745-99). The text of the Stabat Mater is a reflection of the sorrow of Mary as she stands by the side of Jesus during his crucifixion. Chevalier de Saint Georges is the earliest known classical composer of African origin.
To learn more about the music, access the program notes here shared by Timothy McDonald.
Missouri Arts Council and the Rockhurst University Center for Arts and Letters support Musica Sacra's season.
About Musica Sacra
Since 1991, Musica Sacra (Latin for "Sacred Music") has performed sacred masterworks for chorus, vocal soloists and orchestra, with repertoire ranging from the Renaissance to the present. Musica Sacra currently performs four concerts with orchestra each year in Rockhurst University, Arrupe Hall auditorium, with additional appearances throughout the Kansas City community, including Powell Gardens, the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City and the Bachathon at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral. Director Timothy L. McDonald augments these performances with Live Program Notes.
Musica Sacra is an ensemble-in-residence at Rockhurst University and is presented under the auspices of The Center for Arts and Letters, an alliance of the performing groups and programs associated with Rockhurst. The chorus has recorded three compact discs. Two of them, "Christmas in Carol and Song" and Mozart, Requiem in D Minor, K. 626 are available for purchase.
Your support makes it possible
The Stanley H. Durwood Foundation provides support for Musica Sacra’s 2017-2018 season; Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation; The Robert R. Lakas Fund; The Helen G. Bonfils Endowment for the Fine and Performing Arts; the R.C. Kemper Charitable Trust; The Miller Mellor Association; Patricia Cleary Miller; the Richard and Jane Bruening Endowed Fund for the Arts; the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency; Rockhurst University and The Center for Arts and Letters.
Make a donation to Musica Sacra online or by contacting Rockhurst's advancement office.
Timothy L. McDonald, Conductor
Timothy L. McDonald is a professor of music in the College of Arts and Sciences at Rockhurst University. For more than 30 years, he has served as a choral and orchestral conductor, educator and author. He directed choirs at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ and Lafayette College in Easton, PA. In 1991, McDonald became the Director of Music at Rockhurst University. Currently holding the rank of Professor of Music, McDonald served as Chair of the school's Department of Communication and Fine Arts, Chair of the Division of Humanities, and Chair of the Faculty Senate.
A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Rutgers University, McDonald holds a doctorate and master's degree in music and a bachelor's degree in economics. Rockhurst University granted him awards for distinguished service and for scholarship. The Kansas City Musical Club selected him for its 2006 Award for "outstanding contributions to the cultural life of Kansas City. " Sigma Alpha Iota, the International Music Fraternity, named him a national "Friend of the Arts" in 2010. He is the author of a book published by the American Institute of Musicology and articles in the Choral Journal and elsewhere.
McDonald is well known in the Kansas City region for his media work. He writes regularly for the Kansas City Star and previously wrote for newspapers in PA and KS. For years, he served as co-host of the weekly Arts Preview Program and daily midday host on Classical KXTR. He conducted hundreds of print and radio interviews with artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Emmanuel Ax, Charles Dutoit and Michael Stern. McDonald has appeared as a guest on KCUR-FM on "Up to Date" and the "Walt Bodine Show." He appeared onstage as "Music Host" for two Kansas City Symphony "Classics Uncorked" concerts and has given pre-concert lectures at the Carlsen Center of Johnson County Community College and Village Presbyterian Church. McDonald is choir director at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Overland Park, and is a published author and presenter on Catholic church music. He lives in Overland Park with his wife, Adrienne, and daughters, Noelle and Melanie.
Recordings
To purchase recordings, call 816-501-4828.
- O Magnum Mysterium
- Christmas in Carol and Song
- Mozart Requiem; Missa Brevis in D
Auditions
For inquiries about auditions, please contact Timothy McDonald at 816-501-4076.