HISTORY
OUR HISTORY
Founded by Dr. Helmut J. Roehrig in 1965, Musica Sacra’s first performance was at St. Gertrude’s Church in Madeira in February 1966, featuring selected motets, sacred sonatas, and the Coronation Mass by Mozart.
The inspiration for Dr. Roehrig’s ambitious endeavor was a recognition that the tradition of performing choral compositions with orchestral accompaniment during church services had virtually disappeared and deserved a revival through the dedicated efforts of an interested group of classical music devotees.
After the May Festival, Musica Sacra is the oldest continually operating community choral group in Cincinnati, beginning in the same year as the Cincinnati Boys’ Choir.
In addition to performing free concerts before Tri-state audiences, the chorus has presented concerts in historic churches in Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland.
Musica Sacra was also awarded a Silver Certificate in the 2012 World Choir Games, which were held that year in Cincinnati. Watch a portion of our performance here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvdNXatY2WY
A NEW ERA
Dr. L. Brett Scott joined Musica Sacra as our Music Director in 2014, appointed by Dr. Roehrig. He has been a faculty member at University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music since 2007, conducting the CCM Chorale and the Opera D’Arte undergraduate operas.
Dr. Scott has not only honored and helped to preserve Musica Sacra’s rich history of performance of well-known masterworks of sacred choral literature, but he has introduced our audiences to lesser-known composers. Dr. Scott also established Musica Sacra’s Apprentice Conductor program in 2016, which provides graduate-level choral conducting students the opportunity to work with us for one season as they continue their education.
HONORING OUR FOUNDER
On November 6, 2017, the entire Musica Sacra family was saddened by the passing of our founder, and former Director of 50 years, Dr. Helmut J. Roehrig. He was a quintessential musician, and willing teacher of his craft. He was dedicated to his family and to presenting the choral works of the masters in the sacred places for which they were composed. He devoted his life to these two entities. He will be sorely missed by his loving family, the musicians whose lives he touched and the students he inspired.
In his memory, Musica Sacra established the Helmut J. Roehrig Memorial Endowment Fund. Should you wish to make a contribution to this Endowment, you may donate online, or contact us to make a gift of stock.
