The Chapel of St. Ignatius Choir - Light & Shadow (2017)

To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the dedication of the Chapel of St. Ignatius (Seattle University, Seattle, WA, USA), Light & Shadow serves as a tribute to the building itself and as a celebration of the music echoing within its walls through the passing seasons.

As “A Gathering of Different Lights,” the Chapel cleanses visitors and worshipers with abundant natural light on even the gloomiest Sea le day; at night the building projects colors from its unique light baffles, radiating warmth within and around the Chapel. Light moves in particular ways through the space during the course of each day and over the span of a year. We have come to count on the ways through which the Chapel marks the passing seasons for us: the profile shadow of the crucifix on a sunny winter midday; the cave-like darkness of the sacred space illuminated by the glow of hundreds of candles at Easter Vigil; the dramatic wash of red light splaying across the textured choir wall during summer afternoons.

Over the last 20 years, generations of students, faculty, and staff have marked the days and weeks, the quarters and seasons within the passing light of the Chapel. Countless unknown individuals have prayed and reflected during times of stress, confusion, need, or gratitude in the light and shadow of their own lives. Many have come together in community to mark solemnities and sacraments, transitions and tragedies, in both mundane and profound moments. Along with the Word proclaimed and preached, accompanied by the Eucharist offered and shared, music consistently gives voice and depth to God’s comfort and challenge through the different movements of the church year. As you listen through this CD, we hope you will hear an entire year’s worth of music: songs of welcome, of longing, of God-with-us, of call to action, of suffering transformed through resurrection, of gratitude and joy!

Week in and week out, members of the Chapel of St. Ignatius Choir (known around campus simply as “Chapel Choir”) animate the assembly’s song. A unique community of singers and instrumentalists composed of students, alumni, and community members, Chapel Choir embraced the huge creative effort expressed in this music with incomparable dedication, heart, and skill. Thirty six members devoted considerable time to an intense rehearsal and recording schedule. Throughout the process, the meaning of the music has been as important as its technicality, and members consistently supported and encouraged each other in the most beautiful of ways. I couldn’t be more proud of them.

This recording project serves as a time capsule for the Chapel’s 20th Anniversary—a snapshot of this particular time, repertoire, and community of people—sending ripples backwards and forward through time. Many members and mentors have supported the Chapel Choir community over the years; for them, we give thanks. Throughout the project, we have been thinking of you who will receive this music, with hopes that you will find in it God’s presence and promise in your own times of light and shadow.