Concert to honor patron saint of the archdiocese and to give thanks for music

A concert celebrating St. Cecilia, the patron of music and the Archdiocese of Omaha, will be held on Sunday, November 24, at 3 p.m. in St. Cecilia Cathedral, 701 N. 40^th Street.

The Saint Cecilia Day Celebration Concert is open to the public. It will include music by the St. Cecilia Cathedral Choir and its soloists with the Chamber Orchestra and Cathedral Brass Quintet, in collaboration with the Omaha Chamber Music Society.

An Ode for Saint Cecilia Day by George Frideric Handel, based on a poem by John Dryden, will be performed, along with music for choir, brass and organ by English composers Vaughan Williams, William Byrd and Herbert Howells.

The concert, which will be enhanced by the beautiful acoustics of the Cathedral, is designed “to give thanks for the gift of music, to celebrate with musicians who serve, and to honor the fidelity and love for the poor, as Cecilia herself did,” said Dr. Marie Rubis Bauer, director of music for the Archdiocese of Omaha.

Dr. Marie Rubis Bauer

Rubis Bauer encourages people from all walks of life to attend the concert for music that “is beautiful and accessible, featuring musicians from the heart of Omaha’s community of fine instrumentalists joining the cathedral choir.”

St. Cecilia, who died in the year 177, was responsible for the conversion of many to Christianity through her witness and strong faith. Born into a wealthy family, St. Cecilia was one of Rome’s most revered early virgin martyrs and one of seven women commemorated by name in the Roman Canon.

There is no charge for the concert, thanks to the generosity of patrons. In keeping with St. Cecilia’s love for the poor to whom she gave her wealth, concert attendees are asked to bring non-perishable food items for the St. Vincent de Paul Society or monetary donations for Hope of the Poor.

All are invited to a reception to honor musicians, which will be held immediately following the concert in the Cathedral Cultural Center.

More information on the concert can be found here.

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