03/27/2026
Meet, Jessica!
Jessica sang with MCC from 2016-2019, and then rejoined us in 2025. Although, she does not have a favorite concert, she has loved something from each concert. In 2018, we sang the Duruflé Requiem and Duruflé’s Ubi Caritas which was gorgeous. Fall of 2019, we sang the Brahms’ German Requiem, which she has sung before with orchestra, but with the chamber choir, we sang this with two pianists and it felt more intimate and personal in the smaller ensemble. In our fall 2025 concert, she absolutely loved the Paulus, The Day is Done. It was lovely poetry from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow that encompasses why she loves to sing in a group. Here is the last stanza:
And the night shall be filled with music,
And the cares, that infest the day,
Shall be banished like restless feelings,
And silently steal away.
In the spring of 2025, she had come back specifically because we were singing the Vaughan Williams Mass in G Minor which she heard years ago on the radio and has wanted to have the opportunity to sing that piece. For this upcoming concert, she is looking forward to working with Frank Almond, again a Vaughan Williams’ piece, Serenade to Music has been on her bucket list.
There’s something especially meaningful about not just singing notes, but understanding the intention behind why each piece was chosen. When a chamber choir curates music around a theme, it often feels less like a concert and more like a shared message — almost a conversation with the audience.
These themes feel universal and powerful. It means we are not just performing for a specific moment or group, but tapping into something timeless — hope, grief, love, resilience, light. And being part of bringing that message forward, especially the feeling of portraying this “light” feels honorable. In a smaller ensemble, that responsibility feels even more personal. Our voices are not just blending — they carry meaning.
Along with MCC, she has sung with the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus for 21 years and at St. Anthony's Church on 9th and Mitchell for 25 years. Her favorite part of being in MCC is that the chamber group feels more personal and connected. She loves getting to know everyone well, and that camaraderie really shapes rehearsals and performances. Also, sing in a chamber choir means more individual responsibility, tighter blend, and more nuanced musical work. Every voice matters.
*****
More fun about Jessica!
If your voice were a type of dessert, what would it be?
Something with layers - Chocolate Babka
If choir had trading cards, what would your special skill be?
Name: The Resonant Anchor. Voice Type: Alto. Special Skill: Inner Warmth. Ability Description: Stabilizes harmonies, enriches chords, and adds depth that makes the entire ensemble sound fuller. When activated, boosts blend by +10 and emotional intensity by +15.
