A scene above from last year's "Rise Again" performance.

A Major Easter Symphony Orchestra Performance in SoHo
Featuring Frank La Rocca and Fr. Jonah Teller

A 60-member Orchestra and choir. Hear the incredible stories of composers both new and old celebrating the rich Catholic history of classical music. This special concert will highlight works of living Catholic composers alongside the classic works of the past that inspired them. We are welcoming leading American Catholic composer Frank La Rocca, who will share remarks about his work. We are also premiering a piece by our very own Jacob Beranek.

We are excited to welcome back Fr. Jonah Teller, who will be offering a reflection on the evening's theme.

Schedule

5:30 pm - 7:00 pmWelcome Reception

Enjoy appetizers, wine/beer, and mingling prior to the performance in the Basilica's private residence across the street (Separate ticket required).

7:15 pm - 9:15 pmOrchestra Performance

Experience the Higher Word Orchestra and Choir performing Ever Ancient, Ever New, celebrating current Catholic composers and the works that inspired them. There will be a 10-minute intermission.

9:15 pm -12 amPost-Concert Afterparty

Finish the night at Jack's Wife Freda for appetizers, main dishes, desserts, beer, wine, and great company.

The Afterparty

A celebration after the performance on the liveliest corner in SoHo. The center of the weekend’s energy. We'll have a spacious setting inside with delicious food and an open beer and wine bar.

The menu includes Mediterranean flavors and savory dishes that feel like a lively dinner at home with hundreds of friends. We’ll have the restaurant to ourselves, including an outdoor terrace.

Tickets	Price
Orchestra Performance Admission for one to the concert only.	$37.00 ($35.00 + $2.00 fee)

Performance + Welcome Reception & Preferred Seating Admission for one to the performance and pre-performance welcome reception including appetizers, wine and beer. This includes preferred seating at the concert.	$92.75 ($90.00 + $2.75 fee)

Performance + Afterparty (Sold Out) Admission for one to the Performance and Afterparty. Enjoy an open beer and wine bar, appetizers, entrees, and desserts at our partner restaurant, Jack's Wife Freda.	$149.49 ($145.00 + $4.49 fee) Sold Out

The Full Word: Performance + Welcome Reception, Afterparty, & Preferred Seating Admission for one to the Performance, pre-performance Welcome Reception, and Afterparty. Enjoy appetizers and refreshments before the performance, as well as admission to our Afterparty. The afterparty features an open beer and wine bar along with a generous selection of food including appetizers, entrees, and desserts at our partner restaurant, Jack's Wife Freda.	$189.49 ($185.00 + $4.49 fee)

Clergy & Religious Complimentary Ticket (Orchestra Performance) Complimentary admission for clergy/religious to the concert only.	$0.00

Total: $0.00

Please note that the above fees are for payment processing

Support Higher Word (Optional)

We invite you to consider a voluntary contribution to help Higher Word further our mission. We are a grassroots organization and rely entirely on the generosity of the Catholic community to fulfill our missions.

A donation helps us pay musicians, venue fees, and other operating costs.

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HW Musician & Student Access (Performance)

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Jacob Beranek

Music Director, Orchestra Conductor, & Composer

Jacob Beranek is a New York-based composer, pianist, and conductor, currently pursuing his doctorate in composition at The Juilliard School as a student of John Corigliano. His compositions invoke his Catholic faith and have been performed around the world, including venues such as Prague Castle, Oxford University, Alice Tully Hall, and Canterbury Cathedral. He is a recipient of the Charles Ives Scholarship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

Christa Dalmazio

Music Director & Choir Conductor

Christa Dalmazio is a classical and sacred soprano and multi-instrumentalist (piano, organ, harp, viola, violin). A three-time Encouragement Award winner from the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition (2018–2020), she serves as Music Director of Pivot Theater Company, directs the Sacred Music Choir at The Academy of Our Lady, and leads music programs at Holy Innocents Church and Our Lady of Mount Carmel School. She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Vocal Performance from the Manhattan School of Music and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts there under Catherine Malfitano.

Frank La Rocca

Visiting Composer

Frank La Rocca is a prominent Catholic composer and serves as Composer-in-Residence at the Benedict XVI Institute. The orchestra will perform his works, and he will offer remarks on the inspiration and vision behind them. Frank was awarded a 2018 American Prize for A Rose In Winter – The life of St. Rita of Cascia, a major work for chorus, orchestra and soloists. Trained as an academic modernist during his degree studies at Yale and University of California, Berkeley, La Rocca came to see this approach as a barrier to authentic musical expression, and spent many years in search of a personal creative language.

Fr. Jonah Teller, O.P.

Homilist

Fr. Jonah serves as parochial vicar at St. Joseph’s Church in Greenwich Village. He is originally from Cincinnati, OH and graduated from the University of Dallas with a Bachelor’s degree in English. Fr. Jonah is also a member of the band The Hillbilly Thomists. With Fr. Andrew Hofer he has composed two devotionals: Nine Days with St. Joseph and Nine Days with St. Michael. He is also a regular contributor to Magnificat.