On March 29, an estimated crowd of 900 attendees filled St. Thérèse of Carmel Catholic church in Carmel Valley for a free performance of Mozart’s “Requiem”, performed by the St. Thérèse Choir and accompanied by a guest professional orchestra.
“We were delighted—and somewhat surprised—by the turnout for the concert. Fifteen minutes before the program began, the church was already full, and we had run out of both programs and parking,” said Catherine Marshall, the director of music at St. Thérèse of Carmel. “Many guests continued to arrive throughout the performance after finding parking in nearby neighborhoods.”
Marshall, a Carmel Valley local and Canyon Crest Academy alum, directs the parish choir, young adult choir, children’s choir and youth schola. Since 2008, the parish has put on a spring concert where the traditional parish choir performs— past concerts in recent years have featured Fauré, Duruflé, and Rutter.
This year Marshall said she opted to take on Mozart’s famous “Requiem”, working with symphony coordinator Doug Hall to assemble a professional orchestra of 21 players from across San Diego County to accompany her choir.
Notre Dame Academy students performed in Mozart’s “Requiem” at St. Thérèse of Carmel. (Natalie Chiles)
It was a packed house at St. Thérèse of Carmel’s performance of Mozart’s “Requiem”. (Natalie Chiles)
St. Thérèse of Carmel’s performance of Mozart’s “Requiem”. (Natalie Chiles)
Catherine Marshall, the director of music at St. Thérèse of Carmel, directs a performance of Mozart’s “Requiem”. (Natalie Chiles)
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Notre Dame Academy students performed in Mozart’s “Requiem” at St. Thérèse of Carmel. (Natalie Chiles)
According to Marshall, the volunteer 30-member St. Thérèse choir features many talented musicians from diverse backgrounds and professions. Several members performed solo roles, including Sheila Caldarelli (alto), Steve (bass) and Theresa (soprano) Coggeshall, Alex Morrison (tenor), and Dietrich Haubenberger (bass). Dr. Katie Polit of San Diego State University and the San Diego Opera joined as a soprano soloist.
Marshall also brought in five of her middle school students from Notre Dame Academy to take part in the performance —“(The students) worked diligently to prepare several movements of the ‘Requiem’,” she said.
Following the packed performance, parish volunteers hosted a reception for the many attendees.
“It was a powerful reminder that the love of sacred and classical music is very much alive in our San Diego community,” said Marshall.