"Beatitude Mass" Choral Presentation at Santa Clara University to Benefit Homeless Organizations

Saturday, April 19, 2008
Mission Church, 8pm
Suggested donation, $25
Box Office: 408-554-4015


Bay Area composer and Just Faith alum, Henry Mollicone wrote his inspiring “Beatitude Mass” with a vision: to raise money for the homeless. On April 19, Santa Clara University’s Center of Performing Arts, in collaboration with several SCU departments, will present a special performance of this poignant choral and orchestral work. All ticket proceeds from this event will be donated to local homeless advocacy organizations Casa de Clara, EHC LifeBuilders, and Sacred Heart Community Service.

Conducted by Leroy Kromm, professor of voice at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, the performance will take place at 8 p.m. in the Mission Church on the Santa Clara University campus, and will feature Chair of the SCU Department of Music Nancy Wait-Kromm, soprano, and Paul Murray, baritone. They will be joined by members of the SCU choral ensembles, special guests San Jose Symphonic Choir and Monterey Symphony Chorus, and full orchestra accompaniment by an array of professional community musicians—all donating their time to the project.

Mollicone’s recently composed “Beatitude Mass” combines Latin text with English words by librettist William Luce to create a soulful illumination on the plight of the homeless. Inspired by a conversation with Father Jon Pedigo regarding using the arts to raise funds for the homeless, Mollicone developed the idea of writing a piece of music based upon first-hand interviews with homeless individuals. Pedigo connected Mollicone with a mission for homeless women, and the composer interviewed residents about their lives while Luce conducted additional interviews in Oregon. Combining the stories they had gathered, Luce created the mass’s two homeless leads: Adam and Evelyn. These symbolically named characters underline a major theme that surfaced from the interviews, which Mollicone describes as "the similarities—the universality—between all people."