University of Mary’s Internationally Acclaimed Cappella Named National Finalist for Prestigious American Prize

Chapel choir earns national recognition as it celebrates five years of artistic excellence, releases debut album, and opens auditions for 2026-27.

BISMARCK, N.D. - The University of Mary's internationally acclaimed chapel choir, Cappella, has been named a national finalist in The American Prize in Choral Performance, one of the nation's most prestigious competitions recognizing excellence in the performing arts.

The honor comes as Cappella celebrates the completion of its fifth season, recognizing an ensemble that has quickly emerged as one of the nation's premier Catholic collegiate choirs.

Cappella was selected as a finalist in The American Prize's College/University Division following a competitive application process that evaluated recordings drawn from the ensemble's first five seasons. Winners will be announced later this year.

"For an ensemble that is still so young, to be recognized nationally by The American Prize is a tremendous honor," said Dr. Rebecca Raber, Cappella director and assistant professor of music at the University of Mary. "Our students pour their hearts into every rehearsal and every performance, always striving to glorify God through beauty. This recognition belongs to them and affirms the sacred work they do week after week."

The American Prize is a national nonprofit competition recognizing excellence among performing artists, ensembles, directors, composers, and arts organizations throughout the United States. Applicants submit recordings that are evaluated by judges with extensive professional experience in music and the performing arts.

"We wanted the judges to hear not only how we've grown musically, but who we are as an ensemble," Raber said. "While we are a collegiate choir, our identity is rooted in serving the Church through the sacred liturgy. Everything we sing flows from that mission, and we're honored to have that work recognized on a national stage."

Although still a young ensemble, Cappella has quickly earned an international reputation for artistic excellence and sacred music rooted in the Catholic tradition. Since its founding, the choir has premiered newly commissioned works, collaborated with internationally recognized composers, and become known for performances that combine exceptional musicianship with profound spiritual expression.

Its sacred music is heard nationally on Relevant Radio, and the ensemble regularly tours throughout the United States, with annual performance tours to Colorado, Arizona, and California. Next May, Cappella will embark on another international concert tour alongside the University of Mary Concert Band and Concert Choir, this time to Salzburg, Vienna, and Prague.

Most recently, Cappella premiered "Ecce Panis," a Eucharistic motet composed by Raber in honor of the canonization of Saint Carlo Acutis. The work, written with input from Cappella students, received its world premiere during evening Mass in the university's Our Lady of the Annunciation Chapel and has already generated inquiries from churches and musicians interested in performing the composition.

Earlier this year, Cappella released its debut album, Abide in Me: Eucharistic Music for Revival, featuring "Ecce Panis" alongside a collection of sacred music inspired by the National Eucharistic Revival. The album is available on major music streaming platforms (Spotify, iTunes, Pandora, and Amazon Music) and can also be purchased on CD through the University of Mary Bookstore.

The national finalist recognition marks another milestone for an ensemble that has quickly become one of the University of Mary's defining musical ambassadors, sharing the beauty of the university's Benedictine mission through sacred music.

Raber said the recognition from The American Prize ultimately provides another opportunity to share the beauty of sacred music with a wider audience.

"If this recognition encourages even one more person to encounter the beauty of sacred music or inspires a young singer to consider using his or her gifts in service to the Church, then it has accomplished something far greater than winning an award," Raber said.

Prospective students interested in auditioning for Cappella for the 2026-27 academic year are encouraged to apply. Since its founding, the ensemble has attracted talented student musicians from across the United States and Canada, forming a nationally recognized community dedicated to serving the Church through sacred music.

Information about Cappella, auditions, performances, recordings, sheet music, Dr. Raber, and the new album, Abide in Me: Eucharistic Music for Revival, is available at umary.edu/Cappella.

Cappella Choir Members

Tate Berkely, Owatonna, MN

Caellainne Black, Chattaroy, WA

Robert Bushee, Roseville, MN

Camryn Cummings, Spokane Valley, WA

Emma Lynch, Des Moines, IA

Leah DeVries, De Moines, IA

Madeleine DeVries, De Moines, IA

Megan Hanson, Chippewa Falls, WI

Rachel Heinemann, Flandreau, SD

Benedict Jilek, Augusta, GA

Aidan Koop, Ham Lake, MN

Matthew Lynch, Tony, WI

Matthew Mendiola, Dassel, MN

Grant Moening, Lakeville, MN

William O'Shields, DIckinson, ND

William Oakes, Stillwater, MN

Molly Pearson, Ottertail, MN

Anthony Puchner, Wauwatosa, WI

Florent Radakichenane, Grapevine, TX

Caleb Raes, Deloraine, Manitoba, Canada

Ava Robertson, Rochester, MN

Marella Santiago, Bremerton, WA

Mary Schmitz, St. Paul, MN

Jessica Standage, Arcadia, CA

Emily Storick, Bismarck, ND

Tatiana Van Tiem, Stevens Point, WI

Alex Varda, Park Ridge, IL

Keagan Walker, Fargo, ND