For many years, the St. Fidelis Cathedral Concert has been a traditional performance for choral groups.

Originator of the concert, David Rasmussen, directed choirs at Fort Hays State University from 1981-1992.

“I believe I was planning our concert season for my third year on campus when one of my colleagues suggested I go out and look at St. Fidelis Church,” Rasmussen said.  “Upon seeing this beautiful building I knew that I wanted to have the choirs sing there.  The priest was very willing to have us so we scheduled a concert for early December.”

This year’s Cathedral Concert was Sunday Dec. 8, and included the Fort Hays State University Sinfonietta, Fort Hays State University Brass Choir, Smokey Hill Chorale, Hays Middle School Honor Choir, Fort Hays Singers, Hays High School Chamber Singers and Fort Hays State University Concert Choir.

Originally, the concert was to feature Fort Hays State University students only, but the concert grew to include Hays High singers and more.

“My first intention was to have just the university groups perform, but in conversations with Joe Dolezal, the choral director of Hays High at the time, it was decided to include singers from the high school and the community chorus as well,” Rasmussen said.  “Later we added groups such as the Hays Children’s Choir, a hand-bell choir and other local groups.”

Rasmussen said the community’s response to the concert was wonderful.

“Audiences were consistently standing-room-only, even on the night that we had an ice storm and temperatures near zero,” Rasmussen said.

Chamber Singers continue to appreciate and perform at the cathedral concert.

Senior Raeanna Peacock said the concert is important to have each year since it is unique and special.

“The purpose of the concert is to entertain those who love a traditional holiday event,” Peacock said. “The concert brings these different ensembles, soloists and choirs together in one place where they can listen to each other and sit there in shock and awe while their voices ring throughout the cathedral.”

Peacock said it is special because it only happens once a year and no song sung at the concert is ever repeated the next year.

“There’s always another surprise waiting for anyone who goes to watch the amazing event each year,” Peacock said.

Junior Quinlan Brungardt said he thought all the groups who performed at Sunday’s concert did outstanding jobs.

“Chamber Singers did really well and so did all the other groups,” Brungardt said.

Choir director Johnny Matlock said the Cathedral experience is unique because of the venue.

“Singing in such a beautiful and lively acoustic place is very rewarding for the singer,” Matlock said. “Sure, the audience enjoys what we present, but the singer relishes the sound they hear.  We look forward to this performance each year. For Chamber Singers, it is the time we really begin to sing as an ensemble.”

Rasmussen shared how he feels about the continued tradition of the concert.

“I am so pleased that this tradition has been an important part of the holiday celebration for several generations and hope that the tradition continues for many years to come,” Rasmussen said.

15sberens@usd489.com