LAG Takes Carnegie Hall

On Sunday February 19, 2023, Boston College’s own Liturgy Arts Group (LAG) performed alongside John Angotti, Meredith Dean Agustin, Cliff Petty, Artistic Director Steve Petrunack, as well as 200 other singers and musicians for Voices in the Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York City. LAG president Sarah Ryan, LSEHD ‘23,  told the Torch that, “[this performance at Carnegie Hall] is a once in a lifetime opportunity.” Not many performers get to perform in Carnegie Hall, so this was an amazing honor and opportunity for those in LAG going on the trip. 

They were the first performers to sing the piece “When I am Still” based on the “Londonderry Air,” as arranged by William Adams with text by ValLImar Jansesn. This piece was not specifically composed for LAG, however LAG was the first to perform this piece publicly. 

Ryan noted that “[LAG] has been rehearsing since December for this performance,” continuing that LAG has put in much work to do their best work. LAG rehearses around twice a week, on Wednesday and Sundays. Rather than performing in their usual four scale (soprano, alto, tenor and bass), LAG performed their piece in eight scale, where each voice category (soprano, alto, tenor, and bass) is split in half. She continued by stating that although the piece was challenging, “the challenge is for the greater glory of God.” We as Catholic Christians should try to honor God with all of our activities and things we do in our lives, or to live out a central Jesuit, Catholic principle, to find God in all things. LAG chooses to especially focus on finding God through their musical ministry during many of Boston College’s liturgical functions. While the individual singers of LAG have put in a lot of time, effort, and love into practicing this piece since December, Ryan told the Torch that Myers Chambers is like a “rock” of LAG, who will also be conducting another piece at the Carnegie Hall Concert. She also made sure to express her appreciation for all that Chambers has done for LAG. The bus ride to and from New York City is long, and they arrived back at 4:00 A.M, on Monday February 20(just in time for early morning classes), after leaving on Friday, February 17th. 

When not performing at Carnegie Hall, members of LAG find themselves ministering at many BC masses through their music. The sixty-five members of LAG have been divided into three cohorts who sing at St. Joe’s Chapel, St. Ignatius Church and Trinity Chapel. If one only goes to Mass at one of those three locations, one would think that LAG is in reality a lot smaller than it actually is. Interestingly, Ryan noted that many students who minister through LAG continue to do so in their freshman chapel even after their freshman year, revealing the bonds that they feel they have made and the good they think they have done ministering there. 

During larger campus Masses, such as the Mass of the Holy Spirit in September or the Advent Mass in December, the entirety of LAG gathers together to minister to the school population. Ryan also noted that LAG does not perform at Mass, but ministers through their music. She notes that “music has a unique capacity to lead people to God, through the lyrics, the instrumental qualities,” however ultimately, “the focus should be on Mass, and not on the music.” God is the source of and is goodness Himself, so worshippers should turn their focus toward him rather than on the accidents or external qualities of the Mass. When we worship these external qualities and not God himself, we fail to honor God and live in a right relationship with him. However, when LAG is not performing a liturgical function, Ryan noted that is when LAG is “performing” rather than ministering. In the spirit of St. Augustine, Ryan laughed and said “when you sing, you pray twice.” Both the work of singing and the prayer itself is pleasing to God and allows us to give him glory and direct our hearts toward him. 

Ryan also told the Torch that something that she loves about ministering through LAG during Sunday Masses at Boston College is getting to come together with other young students during Mass and truly form a Boston College faith community. She contrasted her experiences here with her home parish, where mostly older people worship. As for larger Boston College Masses (such as the Mass of the Holy Spirit in September, a cornerstone of Jesuits schools all around the world), something that Ryan particularly loves is how the school comes together despite interfaith differences. When asking about what made LAG so special to her, she responded that the four pillars of LAG are very important to her: faith, community, service, and social justice. The community aspect was especially important for her-LAG does not have auditions and all are welcome to join no matter their level of musical ability or expertise. To create community outside of ministering during Masses, LAG has a retreat as well. Furthermore, she noted that “all are welcome” at LAG. “People love to get to know one another and are very approachable.” The LAG community encourages anyone who is interested in ministering through music at Boston College to join. Ryan encourages would-be newcomers to come say hello at the LAG office (which is located directly next to Eagle’s Nest and close to the mailroom). 

While LAG’s performance in Carnegie Hall on February 19 is once in a lifetime; LAG’s music ministry is ongoing during Masses and other functions throughout the year. Through faith, community, service, and social justice, they hope to form a loving society to do good in the world. Whether they minister at Sunday or schoolwide Mass, they hope to lead others to God and his goodness through their love of music. Should you wish to join, just stop by the LAG office!