Father's Day weekend held special meaning for a group of Heidelberg University musicians and alumni who joined singers from across the country to perform one of the most beloved works in the sacred choral repertoire at one of America's most iconic concert venues.
Under the baton of Heidelberg music instructor Michael Shirtz, the Firelands Symphony Chorale — including Cathy Belfiore, Heidelberg's Director of Financial Aid, and alumni Cole Miller '26, Morgan Boyer '24 and Hannah Mathias '14 — performed Gabriel Fauré's Requiem, Op. 48, at Carnegie Hall on June 21.
The Firelands Symphony Chorale was selected by audition to participate in the performance, joining the Terra State College Concert Choir, directed by Stacey Depner; the Community School of Naples (Florida) Vocal Ensemble, directed by Rebecca Richardson; the Arcadian Chorale of Metuchen, New Jersey, and the Richmond Choral Society of Staten Island, New York, both directed by Marina Alexander. The New England Symphonic Ensemble accompanied the combined chorus.
Composed between 1887 and 1890, Fauré's Requiem is known for its gentle, serene character. Rather than emphasizing judgment, the work focuses on peace, rest, and hope, culminating in the ethereal final movement, In Paradisum, which depicts the soul's peaceful journey into eternal rest.
For Cathy, who sings alto with the Firelands Symphony Chorale, performing at Carnegie Hall was the experience of a lifetime.
"To sing Fauré's Requiem with Michael, our very own conductor, felt completely surreal," she said. "Our choir brought together groups from different areas of the U.S. who had never sung together before, with only two rehearsals to prepare."
Yet once they stepped onto the Carnegie Hall stage, something remarkable happened.
"Carnegie Hall's marvelous acoustic design instantly melded our voices into one seamless, cohesive powerhouse of sound," Cathy said.
While singers on stage couldn't fully appreciate the blend, hearing another ensemble as audience members confirmed just how extraordinary the acoustics were.
"It is a unique magic only Carnegie can create, and I was honored to be a part of it," she said.
For Cole, who earned his bachelor's degree in Music Education from Heidelberg in May, the experience was equally memorable. Having performed under Michael’s direction for four years in Heidelberg's Studio to Stage vocal jazz ensemble, he welcomed the opportunity to reunite with his mentor for the Carnegie Hall performance.
What impressed Miller most was Michael’s ability to unite singers who had never performed together before.
"The best part was being among so many singers who had never sung together before come together and within three days, give a performance that sounded like we had sung together for years," he said. "We rehearsed together for only about nine hours before the performance."
As he prepares to begin his career as a music educator, Cole said watching Michael lead the festival chorus offered an invaluable lesson.
"I typically see Michael in the aspect of musical theatre and vocal jazz," he said. "But what he was able to do with a festival choir in just a couple of days — and me being a young music teacher — that was so cool."
Michael's gift for musical collaboration comes as no surprise to Cathy.
"He has a way of bringing out the absolute best in everyone," she said. "The warm, beautiful sound we achieved didn't just come from the architecture. It came directly from Michael's heart."
Whether or not she ever has the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall again, Cathy said the experience will remain one of the highlights of her musical journey.
"This is a memory worth repeating, but if I never get to do it again, I will hold this experience close as one of my favorite memories," she said.