“I was blown away by the purity of their tone, the blend, intonation and precision of their ensemble and their command of the liturgical music. It prompted me to pass along to them a setting by St.Hildegard of Bingen which they included on their new recording. They are truly using their gifts to praise God. What a pure sound they are projecting—something that more ‘mature’ singers only dream of.” — Linn Maxwell Keller (Hildegard Singers)
HE ASTOUNDING NEW Stella Splendens Compact Disc features unaccompanied sacred vocal music sung by six ladies in high school.
Formed at the parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the Schola Sancta Caecilia has been singing for the Extraordinary Form Mass since last year. All of the members are 18 or younger, but their approach to the music is very mature. This CD features Gregorian chant, ancient hymns, medieval polyphony and three recent compositions from the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles in Kansas City. Recorded in Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic church, the CD has a very “live” sound.
“With their purity of tone and clarity of diction, the Schola Sancta Caecilia are the Anonymous Six of the Midwest. Like the professional group, Anonymous Four, these young ladies sing Gregorian Chant and Medieval Polyphony with an expert tonal blend and a flawless intonation. They also branch out into Renaissance Polyphony and more modern pieces with equal success.”
— Kurt Poterack (Christendom College)
THE SCHOLA HAS BEEN INSPIRED by the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, in Kansas City, with whom the young ladies have had strong personal and family relationships. The sisters generously permitted the schola to record three of their original compositions for this CD. The Benedictines of Mary’s own best-selling CD “Angels and Saints at Ephesus” set a recent Billboard record by residing at #1 on the Classical chart for 13 weeks.
While four of the original members have moved on to college or the religious life, the schola will continue with new members this year.
A sample from “Stella Splendens” is available on YouTube. Physical CDs and downloads are available now on CDBaby.com, and will be available through iTunes and Amazon. All proceeds from the sale of the CD will go to the Sacred Heart of Jesus music program.
