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Easter at St. Mary’s Choir – Tribute and 1991 Recordings
April 9, 2026 - 10:41am — Don9of11
A simple email from my sister — searching for the Terra Tremuit we once sang at Easter — led me back to an old 1991 cassette from St. Mary’s Choir. Digitizing it opened a door into memories, voices, and a beauty we may never hear again in quite the same way.
I’ve written the story and shared the restored recordings. If you’d like to read the story and hear the restored recordings, you can find them here:
https://www.motherofmercycatholichymns.com/easter-at-st-marys-choir/
For some, these sounds will be familiar. For others, they’ll be a first encounter. Either way, I hope they carry a bit of the grace we knew.
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Easter Sunday Morning Mass at St. Mary’s in 1991!
Great to hear your collection of 21 hymns sung so long ago. A snapshot of liturgical history, for sure. What a wonderful tribute to all your choir members who have passed on to their eternal reward. I can imagine what a sweet memory this recording is for you.
I heard some wow and flutter in Christ Is Risen by Emerson: the wings of the Holy Spirit, no doubt. :-)
You sure had a robust choir. How many men and women?
I was not familiar with several of the songs. It is good for me to hear them. As a sneak preview for those who will be clicking on the link to your article, please allow me to list the hymns below. This might help lead folks to your website article.
St. Mary’s Choir / St. Mary’s, Akron, Ohio / Easter Sunday Morning 10a.m. Mass with Easter Music Program 1991. Celebrant: Father Raymond Smith; Organist: Ralph Jordan.
Easter Music Program Before Mass
1. Organ Prelude – The Dawn Was Purpling O’er the Sky – St. Basil’s Hymnal, 1918
2. The Holy City – F. E. Weatherly / Stephen Adams / Arr. by Harold DeCou, 1972
3. Christ Is Risen – L. O. Emerson / Arr. Lani Smith / Incorporates Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus, 1990
4. Let The Bells of Easter Ring – Nancy Price / Don Besig, 1990
5. King All-Glorious – Charles Wesley / George M. Vail, 1928
Entrance Hymn – Christ, the Lord, Is Risen Today (Missalette) Tune: Victimae Paschali
Kyrie – Mass in Honor of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary / John Wiegand, 1922
Gloria – Mass in Honor of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary / John Wiegand, 1922
Responsorial Psalms – This is the day the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad.
Gospel Alleluia Three times and Verse
Sprinkling Rite – Vidi Aquam – Karl Kempter / Arr. by B. Hamma, 1893
Offertory for Easter – Terra Tremuit – John Wiegand, 1914
Sanctus – Mass in Honor of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary / John Wiegand, 1922
Pater Noster w/organ
Agnus Dei – Mass in Honor of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary / John Wiegand, 1922
Communion Hymn – Let the Holy Anthem Rise (Missalette) Tune: Traditional
Communion Hymn – Regina Ceoli – Anthony Werner, 1895
Communion Meditation – Regina Ceoli Organ only
Closing Hymn – Jesus Christ is Risen Today (Missalette) Tune: Easter Hymn
Second Closing Hymn – Christ Is Risen – Sunday School Hymn Book, 1907
Organ Postlude
Richard Schletty | Schletty Design and Music | www.schletty.com
Easter at St. Mary's
Looking back, it probably was easier to sing the Latin Mass setting and choral pieces because many of the parishioners were raised in the old Mass so they appreciated it more. Today, it might be a harder to do.
I grew up and sang with wonderful cloud of witnesses. I miss singing with them especially around Easter and Christmas. In my story in the second paragraph there is a link that will take you to a special tribute I did to St. Mary's Choir where hymns for the Sacred Heart and Christmas can be heard.
www.howefamily.com