Students interested in participating in the Wyoming Catholic College Choir meet with the choir director, Dr. Kwasniewski, who assesses their musical backgrounds and vocal ranges.  Students who can play the organ or other instruments are given a chance to accompany the choir, and competent musicians are encouraged to form instrumental ensembles.

WCC Choir
The WCC Choir consists of two mixed vocal ensembles, the Capella Mariana and the Cantores Dominae, that perform a wide repertoire of choral music by great composers such as Palestrina, Praetorius, Byrd, Tallis, Bach, Mozart, and Bruckner. The ensembles take turns singing at Mass on Sundays and Holy Days. Vocally gifted students are trained as cantors for Mass. Public performances of sacred and secular music are scheduled from time to time. In the 2008–2009 academic year, the Choir recorded two full-length CDs, Christmas in God’s Country and The Way of the Cross.

 

In keeping with the statement of Vatican II that "the musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art" (Sacrosanctum Concilium 112), the WCC Choir sings the traditional sacred music that the Council had in mind.  This means, first and foremost, Gregorian chant, which Vatican II describes as "specially suited to the Roman liturgy" and deserving of "pride of place in liturgical services" (ibid., 116).  The same Council urges that, while much of the Mass should be in the common language of the people, "nevertheless steps should be taken so that the faithful may also be able to say or to sing together in Latin those parts of the Ordinary of the Mass which pertain to them" (ibid., 54).  Instruction is given so that all students become conversant in reading plainchant and confident in singing it at Mass.

 

The choir members also learn to sing the other kind of music praised by the Council, namely motets and Masses from the Renaissance period (Sacrosanctum Concilium 116), composed by great masters such as Palestrina, Victoria, Lassus, Tallis and Byrd (the latter two pictured here).  In making such efforts on behalf of superior liturgical music we confidently follow the counsel of the Fathers of Vatican II: "The treasure of sacred music is to be preserved and fostered with great care.  Choirs must be diligently promoted . . .  Great importance is to be attached to the teaching and practice of music in . . . Catholic institutions and schools" (ibid., 114-115).

Schola Matris Sanctissimae
The Schola Matris Sanctissimae is an all-male ensemble dedicated to singing the Gregorian chant appointed by the Church for Sundays and other feastdays. Through study and rehearsal of plainchant, members learn how to execute it skillfully for the glory of God and the edification of the faithful.

Chamber Ensembles
Students proficient on any traditional instrument are encouraged to form chamber ensembles (trios, quartets, etc.). Groups with sufficient talent will be given opportunities to perform at college concerts
and at liturgical ceremonies.