Creation, A Symphony of Joy

Sunday, May 23 2021
Via Zoom

The Hildegard Singers — Lisa Walhout - Barbara Witham-McCargar - Diane Penning

Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the Hildegard Singers each have outstanding solo careers. They joined us for the 2021 Shem Center gala concert to celebrate the hauntingly beautiful music of Hildegard of Bingen.

Having planned to present these remarkable singers for the 2020 concert, we had to cancel the concert due to the pandemic. We were delighted to be able book them again and offer basically the same concert to our friends and supporters using Zoom technology. Live singing, we discovered, does not transmit well using Zoom technology. However, recorded music does and The Hildegard Singers have professional quality recordings of much of their music. They agreed to join us on Zoom from Grand Rapids, Michigan where they gathered using a performance room at Aquinas College.

Not only was their recorded music heard while beautiful photos of creation appeared on our screens, each of the three singers introduced Hildegard’s music and provided us with commentary that greatly helped us to enjoy the concert.

Laura Waterman a friend from St.Mark’s Episcopal Church in Glen Ellyn did a fine job as Zoom technician adding the photos as we listened. Having to forgo being together for this concert and enjoying one another’s company during a post-concert reception was a “better than nothing” way to have our annual fundraising event. Your tax-exempt gift to Shem Center in any amount is greatly appreciated.

I am grateful to all who helped bring the 2020-21 Shem Center gala concert to us on Zoom and on this website: The Hildegard Singers, Lisa Walhout, Barbara Witham-McCargar and Diane Penning, to Laura Waterman, our Zoom technician, Emory Mead, our graphic designer, and you our faithful friends and donors.

With gratitude and respect,

Joseph Kilikevice, OP
Director, Shem Center for Interfaith Spirituality