The Madison Diocesan Choir

The Madison Diocesan Choir's Christmas CD, "With Joyful Steps" is available for sale and can be ordered online or by emailing the choir.

This is a live recording of the Choir's 2007 Lessons and Carols. Soprano Jamie-Rose Guarrine and cellist Karl Knapp are the featured soloists, and their performances (which include selections from Mozart's Great Mass in C-minor and Handel's Messiah, as well as favorites such as Gesu Bambino, Fantasia on Greensleeves and Ave Maria) are beautifully done. The Choir teams up with Jamie-Rose for The snow lay on the ground and Gustav Holst's Christmas medley, Christmas Day.

The Diocesan Choir is composed of nearly 70 singers from numerous parishes in our Diocese. I have had the privilege of conducting this ensemble for over 17 years. While it sounds like a cliche, they are like a family and are always there for each other in both the good and bad times. The Choir is partially funded by the Annual Catholic Appeal, but members support the Choir through donations. They also pay their own expenses when traveling to the far-flung corners of the Diocese to sing for parish or diocesan events.

The Diocesan Choir has a long and rich history. Founded in 1972, the group has had a quiet impact on the Madison music scene. They originally formed as a group whose sole mission was a tour of France. Of course, they all loved it and continued under the auspices of the Diocese. They were then named the Diocesan Festival Choir. In 1975 the choir split into two distinct groups--the Diocesan Choir, which was funded in part by the diocese and sang for diocesan liturgies, and the Festival Choir, which became a prominent Madison concert choir under the direction of David Lewis Crosby. The Festival Choir is still active and performs unique and quality programs.

The Diocesan Choir also developed a children's choir. At some point, the diocese ceased funding this and the group struck out independently as the Madison Children's Choir which eventually was incorporated with the Madison Boychoir as the Madison Youth Choirs.

The Choir also supported (through the loan of our handbells) the foundation of the popular Madison Area Concert Handbells, conducted by our former accompanist and assistant director, Dr. Susan Udell. They also assisted the Diocese of Superior as they founded their own diocesan choir through the loan of music and consultation with their founders. The Choir was instrumental in the founding of our own Diocesan Hispanic Choir, conducted by former member Toni Kellor. This first-of-its-kind ensemble began in 2001 and the two choirs performed together on occasion. Unfortunately, this choir was eliminated in the budget cuts of this past summer.

In my mind, the Diocesan Choir is one of the success stories of our Diocese. It has supported the prayer and musical formation of the people of our diocese for nearly 40 years and it has been involved with community and ecumenical outreach from the beginning. It has received the support of the bishops of Madison but is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors (all members) who help sustain and grow the Choir. Retired members continue to be part of the choir family and support the choir in many different ways. I'm glad they have put up with me these past 17 years!