Music Calendar of Events – Spring 2025
Tuesday, January 28, 12pm
Bala Brass Quintet
Brooks Concert Hall
The award-winning Bala Chamber Brass presents a variety of original music for brass quintet, featuring both staples of the repertoire and lesser-known works. Pieces include Victor Ewald's Quintet No. 3, and works by Anthony Plog, Kevin McKee, and Canadian composer Ian McDougall.
Tuesday, February 18, 7pm
Holy Cross Chapel Artist Series
Members of the Worcester Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO)
Kristjon Imperio, Trisha Snyder and Jonathan Bezdegian
An exciting program performed by local organists. Works by Bach, Buxtehude and Mendelssohn
St. Joseph Memorial Chapel
Wednesday, February 19, 12pm
Lunchtime Concert
Selections of Light and Dark: the Evolution of the String Quartet
Emerson Lyons, violin
Emily Seiler, violin
Sergio Muñoz Leiva, viola
Julianna Stratton, cello
Beehive, PAC
This program includes the first movements of Hayden's "Sunrise" quartet, Mozart's "Dissonance" quartet, and Schubert's "Death and The Maiden" quartet. These selections trace the evolution of the string quartet from Haydn’s radiant Classical ideals to the dramatic expressiveness of Schubert, demonstrating the development of the string quartet through the 18th and 19th centuries.
Tuesday, February 25, 4pm
Form and Structure: Bach in the Gallery
Julianna Stratton, cello
Pietro Romussi, cello
Cantor Art Gallery, PAC
This immersive, intimate 30-minute concert features selections from Bach’s iconic Cello Suites, performed by cellists Pietro Romussi (Brooks Scholar ’27) and Julianna Stratton (’26). Set in the inspiring Cantor Gallery, this unique program weaves together the intricate beauty of Bach’s compositions with the mathematical elegance and harmony of the sculptures on display. Attendees are invited to move freely through the gallery, experiencing the music and art in perfect dialogue.
Wednesday, February 26, 8pm
Holy Cross Wind Ensemble & Orchestra concert
Luth Concert Hall, PAC
Video game music often transcends its digital origins, offering timeless themes and otherworldly places. On February 26th, The Holy Cross Wind Ensemble and Orchestra will present a joint concert featuring iconic melodies from the video game industry. This program will include classics like The Legend of Zelda, Halo, and Super Mario, along with selections from lesser-known titles. The performance will explore the deep connections between video game music and its classical and cinematic influences. Several pieces will be enhanced by multimedia displays, immersing the audience even further into the worlds of these games.
Tuesday, March 11, 7pm
Holy Cross Chapel Artist Series
Matthew Luca
Holy Cross Organ Scholar ‘22
Rising star and soon to be Dr. Luca will perform a program with works by Buxtehude, Scheid, Bach and Reubke.
St. Joseph Memorial Chapel
Tuesday, March 25, 7pm
Holy Cross Chapel Artist Series
Gavin Klein Holy Cross Organ Scholar ‘26
Holy Cross Organ Scholar 2026 will perform works by Buxtehude, Bach, Mendelssohn, and Reger.
St. Joseph Memorial Chapel
Wednesday, March 26, 12pm
Lunchtime Concert
Two pianos
Luth Concert Hall, PAC
Friday, March 28, 8pm
Sonya Ovrutsky Fensome
Piano recital
Luth Concert Hall, PAC
In this one-hour recital, pianist Sonya Ovrutsky Fensome invites you on a captivating journey through time and sound, exploring the evolution of The Prelude. From its origins as a simple introduction in Bach’s day, to the rich and varied forms it has taken across centuries, this intimate program weaves together history and music, illuminating the transformations of the prelude from the Baroque to the present. Through Sonya’s insightful commentary, you will be guided to a deeper, personal connection with the genre’s remarkable journey.
Saturday, March 29, 4pm
Holy Cross College Choir
Luth Concert Hall, PAC
On Saturday, March 29, 4:00pm in the Prior Center for the Performing Arts’ Luth Concert Hall, College Choir will present a program inspired by Gerald Gould’s poem “Wander-Thirst,” featuring a setting by Florence Price. The program explores themes and images present in the poetry pertaining to a thirst for adventure, beautiful landscapes, and personal transformation through the lens of choral music by 20th-century American composers. Celebrated selections include works by Moses Hogan, Rollo Dilworth, Margaret Bonds, and Morten Lauridsen.
Tuesday, April 1, 8pm
Brooks and Organ Scholars concert
St. Joseph Memorial Chapel & Brooks Concert Hall
The Brooks Scholarship is a four-year, full tuition scholarship offered to a music major or double major in music and another discipline. They demonstrate outstanding accomplishment in their area of musical study as well as significant academic achievement. The Department of Music is proud to present a concert featuring the Brooks Scholars, our most accomplished student artists.
Tuesday, April 8, 8pm
Piano Studio Recital
Brooks Concert Hall
Join us for an inspiring evening celebrating piano music! Experience a diverse repertoire performed by the talented students of the College of the Holy Cross's Piano Department.
Saturday, April 12
Junior & Senior Recitals
12pm: Elliot Barron '25, percussion
2:00pm: John Mondi '25, guitar
4:00pm: Julianna Stratton '26, cello
Brooks Concert Hall
Sunday, April 13, 4pm
Holy Cross Chamber Singers
St. Joseph Memorial Chapel
Chamber Singers will present a program of music centered around Holy Week. Composers have been inspired throughout history by this most spiritually charged week in the Christian liturgical calendar. Musical selections reflect the solemnity and contemplation inspired by the biblical texts describing the events preceding the crucifixion and include settings of Miserere mei Deus, Ubi Caritas, Wondrous Love, Crucifixus, and the celebrated Easter Cantata by J.S. Bach, Christ lag in Todes Banden.
Monday, April 14, 5:30pm
Bala Brass Quartet
Luth Concert Hall, PAC
Tuesday, April 15, 7pm
Holy Cross Chapel Artist Series
Jessica Nguyen Holy Cross Organ Scholar '28
Holy Cross Organ Scholar 2028 will perform her first recital at Holy Cross. Works by Da Grigny, Mendelssohn, Bohm and Bach.
St. Joseph Memorial Chapel
Wednesday, April 16, 12pm
Lunchtime Concert
The Late 20th Century Piano Music of Japan: Contrasts in Modern
Ulysses Loken, piano
Beehive, PAC
The Messiaen-influenced harmonic and gestural language of Toru Takemitsu (1930-1996) is set against the elegant modal counterpoint of Takashi Yoshimatsu (b. 1953), with influences of Bach, Satie, jazz, and progressive rock.
Takemitsu’s Rain Tree Sketch (1982) and Rain Tree Sketch II – In Memoriam Olivier Messiaen (1992), written in his mature compositional language, melds western classical music with Japanese aesthetics and traditions. The concept of ma, of empty space, influences the structure and sound of these pieces.
Yoshimatsu describes the Pleiades Dances IV (1992) as “a new form of preludes for the modern piano.” This set is a study of pedal points, the subtle counterpoint dancing around the fixed notes.
Tuesday, April 22, 7pm
Holy Cross Chapel Artist Series
Loreto Aramendi, Organist Santa Maria del Coro, San Sebastian, Spain
Organist Santa Maria del Coro, San Sebastian, Spain
International renown organist Maestra Aramendi will perform her first recital on the Taylor and Boody organ at Holy Cross. Not to be missed.
St. Joseph Memorial Chapel
Wednesday, April 23, 8pm
Holy Cross Orchestra & College Choir
Academic Conference Concert
Luth Concert Hall, PAC
The Holy Cross Orchestra and College Choir will perform together at the Academic Conference concert. A highlight of the semester and not to be missed!
Friday, April 25, 4pm
End of Semester Student Recitals
Brooks Concert Hall
Music students who participated in the private lesson program perform the works they have studied during the semester.
Saturday, April 26
Senior Recitals
12:00pm: Emmett Griffin, piano
2:00pm: Xinyang Zhang, piano
4:00pm: Nate Murray, tenor
Brooks Concert Hall
Saturday, April 26th at 7:30pm
Gamelan Gita Sari Concert
Luth Concert Hall, PAC
Under the direction of I Nyoman Catra, one of Bali’s most renowned master artists of traditional dance/theatre, our Balinese dance and Gamelan students collaborate with guest artists for this Spring concert. It is always a highlight of our season and a treat for all ages. The Balinese dance concert provides an opportunity for the community to experience the awe and wonder of the sacred art of Bali.
Sunday, April 27th
Senior Recitals
2:00pm: Ari Kiirikki, flute
4:00pm: Emerson Lyons, violin
Brooks Concert Hall
Tuesday, April 29, 12:40 pm
Holy Cross Chapel Artist Series
David Jonies, Director of Music and Organist - Holy Name Cathedral, Chicago
German organist David Jonies will present a program that includes works of Bach, Cabanilles and Widor.
St. Joseph Memorial Chapel
Tuesday, April 29, 8pm
Holy Cross Jazz Ensemble
Brooks Concert Hall
The Holy Cross Jazz Ensemble will perform American Jazz standards under the direction of Mike Monaghan.
Thursday, May 1, 6pm
Chamber Music Recital
Brooks Concert Hall
Chamber music is played by small ensembles of two or more players such as duos, trios, quartets, etc., where every part is played by a single performer. Its intimate setting creates a process that is democratic, participative, and that through centuries has been compared to a conversation among friends. This recital features the students who participate in the Chamber Music course as they perform the works they have studied during the semester.
Saturday, May 3, 2pm
Fenwick Scholar 2025 Recital
Rhiannon Hurst
Luth Concert Hall, PAC
Sunday, May 4, 3pm
Holy Cross Wind Ensemble
Luth Concert Hall, PAC
The Holy Cross Wind Ensemble will present a concert showcasing new and diverse music for wind ensemble composed in the 2020s. The program will feature works that explore various genres and themes, highlighting underrepresented voices. Highlights include Before the Dawn by 14-year-old Liliana Alarcon, a mysterious and epic composition, and Golden Embers by deaf and neurodivergent composer Tyler Mazone. Additional pieces like Michaele Fernández’s vibrant La Fiera Asturiana and Satoshi Yagisawa’s lush Amaranthus further illustrate the exciting and diverse world of recent works for wind ensemble.
Monday, May 5, 6pm
The Seventh Annual Gregorian Vespers
St. Joseph Memorial Chapel
Monday, May 5, 2025 - 6 p.m
For its seventh year, the Chant class of Professor Daniel DiCenso, Department of Music, will sing Gregorian Vespers under the direction of Laurence Rosania, Director of Liturgy and Music. Over 30 students will bring to life this ancient and haunting music in the majestic acoustics of
the Chapel during its 101st year! All are warmly invited to share in this evocative experience of sound and spirit.
Admission is free.