Rochester Catholic Chorale reflects on decades of bringing joy through music

Rochester — What started as a simple choir in the basement of the Older Person’s Commission Building in Rochester ended up at performing at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

The Rochester Catholic Chorale, formed in 1985, has performed all across the Archdiocese of Detroit — and indeed, the world — bringing traditional hymns to the lofts of century-old churches that might not have hosted a choir in ages. Rochester native Daniel Olson started the choir, seeking to revive classical compositions and fill the lofts of some of the city’s oldest churches with music once again. “We were a group that started just like any other choir did,” said Olson, a member of St. Andrew Parish in Rochester. “We just felt we wanted a higher standard of music in the churches and visit churches that don’t have choirs or a small choir.” Olson conducted the choir, occasionally playing the organ when called up. The group started playing around the Metro area, hoping to revive an interest in classical hymns that aren’t used much in contemporary times.

The group was comprised of local singers who were just practicing with no real intent of going on tour, until Ste. Anne de Detroit Parish called upon Olson to have the Catholic Chorale perform a concert. “They asked us what we were called, and that’s when we came up with the name Rochester Catholic Chorale, right there on the spot,” Olson explained. “We wanted the name Catholic in there, and most of us are from Rochester.” In the 30 years of the choir’s existence, the group has performed in 104 different churches — 26 within Detroit city limits — across the archdiocese and extending into Canada and Italy.

While the Archdiocese of Detroit’s Archdiocesan Chorus will be visiting Rome to sing at St. Peter’s Basilica for Pope Francis in January, the Rochester Catholic Chorale might be able to offer some tips: They’ve been there, done that. One of the choir’s overseas visits included a 1998 performance at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome during St. John Paul II’s papacy. “We never in a million years imagined ending up where we did,” Olson said. “No other choir had the opportunities we had. Especially with all the old churches we got to sing in, they just have these wonderful acoustics. To sing Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica with the pope in audience, that is something not a lot of people get to say.” With a run that spanned four decades, age has caught up with many members of the choir, said Olson, 75, and they’ve recently decided it was time to stop. Olson’s favorite memories include singing at a memorial Mass for Fr. Gabriel Richard, singing before the Detroit leaders of the Knight of Columbus for the organization’s 250th anniversary, and singing for St. John Paul II. Olson said he was glad to be accompanied by he wife, Delphine, the entire time.

“I was a singer and helped organize everything,” Delphine said. “The chorale not only sang together, we prayed together and supported each other when members passed away; we did anything we could to help.” Delphine said the group was a traveling family when it went on tour, staying close with one another in and out of the choir lofts. Thirty people were in the Rochester Catholic Chorale when it started, but the group grew to 50 singers during its peak years in the 1990s. “Never in a million years did we think we would go to so many places,” Delphine said. “Our whole mission was to sing at the churches in and around Detroit, where we could bring our beautiful music. It is a real shame that some of the hymns we sang are never sung anymore by traditional choirs, because it’s a beautiful part of our Church’s history.” The Rochester Catholic Chorale gained notoriety wherever it went, being featured on Catholic TV and during the Good Friday scene of the Detroit-filmed motion picture The Rosary Murders, based on the story by former Michigan Catholic editor William X. Kienzle.

“The director of the movie was looking for various types of choirs, and he really liked the way we sang,” Olson said. “It was really cool to see how a movie gets made. It was just the little things we got to do because of our singing that is just amazing.” Aside from the beautiful music, a family-like atmosphere was a huge part of the Rochester Catholic Chorale’s success, members said. “We were more of a family than anything else,” said choir member Patricia Mills. “Once you became a member, you were adopted by the group. We enjoyed the opportunity not just to travel, but to sing in different churches around the area and spend time together.” Mills and her husband, Dell — who are celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary Oct. 8 — were part of the choir since its formation; they credit Olson’s musical talent for bringing the best out of the group. “Not any one of us could be a soloist, but Dan was able to get from us our ordinary qualities and have a us train together to get that right blend of voices,” Mills said. “It was really a pleasure working with Dan. You could tell he loves music, and he really loved spreading this beautiful music across the area.” Olson appreciates the kind words, but for him, the greatest honor is the chance to perform in Detroit’s timeless churches.

“From a musician’s standpoint, just playing all the different organs, it’s hard to explain what that’s like,” Olson said. “But when you hear the acoustics in some of these churches, it’s just amazing. To be part of the liturgy, brining music to people as they worship. That will always be the biggest joy.”