University of Mary Presents 64th Annual “Christmas at Mary” Concert
Beloved tradition returns Dec. 5–7 with student ensembles, guest soloists, and sacred music in Our Lady of the Annunciation Chapel
BISMARCK, ND — One of the region’s most cherished Christmas traditions returns to the University of Mary this December, as the Department of Music presents the 64th Annual Christmas at Mary Concert in the iconic Our Lady of the Annunciation Chapel. Performances are scheduled for Dec. 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 7 at 3 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public; seating is limited and available on a general-admission basis. A freewill offering will be taken.
More than 160 student musicians will fill the chapel with sacred music and carols across the three performances, featuring the University of Mary Concert Choir, Cappella, Gabrieli Brass, Flute Choir, Woodwind Quintet, String Ensemble, and the Percussion Ensemble.
This year’s program echoes the theme drawn from our closing music, “All Is Well”—a reminder to seek peace, quiet, and hope in the stillness of Advent. The piece will feature three soloists across the weekend, including two guest soloists who are daughters of University of Mary faculty members: Genevieve Bielinski on Friday and Evelyn Bernier on Sunday. The Saturday performance will highlight Rachel Heinemann (Flandreau, SD), a current University of Mary Concert Choir member and Cappella singer, who will perform the soprano solo.
Dr. Rebecca Raber, director of choral studies and conductor of the Concert Choir and Cappella, says the program is designed to offer audiences a moment of pause during a full and often hectic season.
“These concerts are meant to provide a respite—an opportunity to come into our beautiful chapel and breathe in both the stillness of Advent and the overflowing joy of Christmas,” Raber said. “Through the beauty of the music, we hope you experience the truth of the scripture you hear and the goodness of these students who have worked in harmony for months to prepare it. In a season when we all long to hear the words ‘all is well,’ this concert points us toward the peace Christ brings.”
The program spans centuries and continents, including Haydn’s The Creation (“Achieved Is the Glorious Work”), Ola Gjeilo’s Sunrise Mass (“The Spheres”), Charles Villiers Stanford’s “Beati quorum via,” the Basque carol “Gabriel’s Message,” the spiritual “Rise! Shine!,” and Handel’s Messiah (“Rejoice Greatly”). Audience members will be invited to stand and join in singing familiar favorites such as “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and “What Child Is This?”
For the students who perform, the experience is both musical and deeply spiritual.
“Christmas at Mary is much more than a concert,” said Jase Kleser, a junior sacred music major from Bismarck. “It is a time of reflection and prayer and a witness to the profound beauty of our Savior’s story—something I wish every university community could experience.”
“I remember coming to these concerts as a child and being dazzled by the lights, atmosphere, and beautiful music,” added Emily Storick, a music major from Bismarck. “Being part of these brilliant, reverent performances now is a special Christmas memory I will treasure for years.”
Because seating fills quickly each year, guests are encouraged to arrive early. Doors will open 30 minutes before each performance.
SOPRANO
Sophia Acord Ramsey, MN
Grace Amatucci Edgewood, NM
Grace Ballance Escalon, CA
Maggie Barrett West Bend, WI
Annelise Beck Mascoutah, IL
Rachel Becker Long Prairie, MN
Demerie Black Bismarck, ND
Sharon Blaney Grass Lake, MI
Allison Bryn Dazey, ND
Agnes Cronk Helena, MT
Julia Daubner Princeton, MN
Marita Faherty Chicago, IL
Jazmin Flores Bismarck, ND
Lily Griffin Bealeton, VA
Rachel Heinemann Flandreau, SD
Veronica Igielinski Centennial, CO
Helena Kijesky Dentsville, MD
Kaydence Klein Norwich, ND
Hannah Klotz Oshkosh, WI
Ella Magstadt Bismarck, ND
Violet McGonigle Rio Rancho, NM
Evelyn Michalczyk Commerce City, CO
Marissa Miller Maple Grove, MN
Sophia Moore Appleton, WI
Ava Robertson Rochester, MN
Anna Schroeder Fergus Falls,MN
Isabella Schultz Owatonna, MN
Megan Snyder Custer, SD
Emily Storick Bismarck, ND
Lily Trautman Bismarck, ND
Mary VanderPloog Shelbyville, KY
Grace Vandehey Kent, WA
Olivia Zyble Harbor Springs, MI
ALTO
Mary Baeten Billings, MT
Ariana Barnell Creighton, NE
Eliana Birnbaum Laveen, AZ
Caéllainné Black Chattaroy, WA
Caecilia Brown White Plains, MD
Anna Bruno Marseilles, IL
Maddalen Charles Carrington, ND
Josephine Daubner Princeton, MN
Madeleine DeVries Des Moines, IA
Lucy Dickson Hyattsville, MD
Andrea Duah Columbus, OH
Ella Friebel Hettinger, ND
Vivien Gorman Niskayuna, NY
Megan Hanson Chippewa Falls, WI
Claire Hulquest Frederick, CO
Katelyn Kramer Mosinee, WI
Miriam Lopez Sacramento, CA
Maria McNamara Rosemount, MN
Elayna Meier Venturia, ND
Molly Merritt Webster, MN
Alisha Mueller Sioux Falls, SD
Molly Pearson Ottertail, MN
Michaela Schafer Maple Plain, MN
Ava Schneidt Bloomington, IN
Mary Stastny Ankeny, IA
Maria Storick Bismarck, ND
Kelly Swenson Houston, MN
Regina Turner Gays Mills, WI
An Vu Milpitas, CA
TENOR
Zachary Aichele Bismarck, ND
Tate Berkley Owatonha, MN
Evan Buchman Stillwater, MN
Robert Bushee Roseville, MN
Matthew Chromy New Prague, MN
Michael Fagerland Bismarck, ND
John Gedicks West Hartford, CT
Kalen Hill Minot, ND
Jase Kleser Bismarck, ND
Aidan Koop Ham Lake, MN
Jules Miller Moore, OK
Quinn Pihl Hermiston, OR
Alex Varda Park Ridge, IL
Daniel Wojciehowski Bismarck, ND
BASS
Isaiah Armstrong Chanhassen, MN
Vincenzo Biondi East Troy, WI
Matthew Courchaine Sussex, WI
Josiah DeMaris Madelia, MN
Sam Devick Fargo, ND
Jack Doyle Des Moines, IA
James Grismer Woodbury, MN
Aidan Conant Guy Bismarck, ND
Evan Haag Bismarck, ND
Landon Houck Spokane, WA
Maximilian Koop Ham Lake, MN
Isaac Mallahan Spokane, WA
Stephen McGovern Fort Wayne, IN
Matthew Mendiola Dassel, MN
William Oakes Stillwater, MN
Owen Raes Deloraine, Manitoba
Isaac Trefz Onaka, SD
Zach Turner Mandan, ND
Matthew Wood Sleepy Eye, MN
SOPRANO
Camryn Cummings Spokane Valley, WA
Leah DeVries Des Moines, IA
Rachel Heinemann Flandreau, SD
Ava Robertson Rochester, MN
Marella Santiago Bremerton, WA
Emily Storick Bismarck, ND
Tatiana Van Tiem Stevens Point, WI
ALTO
Caéllainné Black Chattaroy, WA
Madeleine DeVries Des Moines, IA
Megan Hanson Chippewa Falls, WI
Emma Lynch Bismarck, ND
Molly Pearson Ottertail, MN
Mary Schmitz St. Paul, MN
Jessica Standage Arcadia, CA
TENOR
Tate Berkley Owatonna, MN
Robert Bushee Roseville, MN
Benedict Jilek Augusta, GA
Aidan Koop Ham Lake, MN
Anthony Puchner Wauwatosa, WI
William Oakes Stillwater, MN
Alex Varda Park Ridge, IL
BASS
Matthew Lynch Bismarck, ND
Matthew Mendiola Dassel, MN
Grant Moening Lakeville, MN
William O’Shields Dickinson, ND
Florent Radakichenane Grapevine, TX
Caleb Raes Deloraine, Manitoba
Keagan Walker Fargo, ND
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE
Dr. Lucas Bernier, Director
Rachel Bleth Bismarck, ND
Clara Bruno Marseilles, IL
Matthew Mendiola Dassel, MN
FLUTE CHOIR
Dr. Brian Lydeen, Director
PICCOLO
Meghan Schneider Billings, MT
FLUTE
Kathryne Johnson Broomfield, CO
Olivia Anderson Bismarck, ND
Marcos Reyes Franklin, WI
Sierra Cummings Nine Mile Falls, WA
ALTO FLUTE
Olivia Zyble Harbor Springs, MI
BASS FLUTE
Dr. Brian Lydeen
WOODWIND QUINTET
Tonya Mertz, Director
FLUTE
Meghan Schneider Billings, MT
OBOE
Anna Wenning Beulah, ND
CLARINET
Maja Dojs Bismarck, ND
HORN
Jase Kleser Bismarck, ND
BASSOON
Allison Bleth Bismarck, ND
GABRIELI BRASS
Dennis Gowen, Director
TRUMPET
Brady Saylor Bismarck, ND
Kelly Swenson Houston, MN
Avery Anderson Farmington, MN
Andrw Ternes Devils Lake, ND
John Mendiola Dassel, MN
Madison Millet Watford City, ND
Emma Aman Bismarck, ND
Lucy Dickson Hyattsville, MD
Alanna Amburn Less Summit, MO
Abigail Welle Freeport, MN
Lucas Mueller Bismarck, ND
Grace Goven Turtle Mountian, ND
Chris Anderson Bismarck, ND
HORN
Jase Kleser Bismarck, ND
Mark Stotzer Albuquerque, AZ
Rachel Puyleart Forest Lake, MN
Ariana Barnell Creighton, NE
Alison Kirsch Rapid City, SD
Suzanne Duellman Fountain City, WI
Katie Woodside Steele, ND
TROMBONE
Blaise Kathol Bismarck, ND
Gabi Kielkucki Manchester, IA
Evan Haag Bismarck, ND
+Zachary King Bismarck, ND
EUPHONIUM
Marie Wilson Bismarck, ND
TUBA
+*Prof. Tom Mortenson Jamestown, ND
+Mr. Eric Rooke Bismarck, ND
+Mr. Taylor Abler Bismarck, ND
ORGAN
*Rhonda Gowen Bismarck, ND
STRING ENSEMBLE
Emily Robinson, Director
VIOLIN
Grace Amatucci Edgewood, NM
Rose Amatucci Edgewood, NM
Audra Savelkoul Lansford, ND
Maria Storick Bismarck, ND
VIOLA
Ava Schneidt Bloomington, IN
CELLO
Emily Storick Bismarck, ND
BASS
Demi Bolin Plainfield, IN
Dominic Holmberg Isanti, MN
HARP
Caellainne Black Chattaroy, WA
"WHAT CHILD IS THIS" ENSEMBLE
TRUMPET
Kelly Swenson Houston, MN
Avery Anderson Farmington, MN
Madison Millet Watford City, ND
Lucy Dickson Hyattsville, MD
HORN
Jase Kleser Bismarck, ND
TROMBONE
Blaise Kathol Bismarck, ND
Gabi Kielkucki Manchester, IA
Evan Haag Bismarck, ND
TUBA
+*Prof. Tom Mortenson Jamestown, ND
PERCUSSION
Noah Deabel Chicago Heights, IL
Rachel Bleth Bismarck, ND
Clara Bruno Marseilles, IL
NARRATOR
Theodore Paul Kariuki Bloomington, MN