The pandemic forced Mass online, but COVID-19 couldn't silence Psalm 150. The musicians performed from the Chapel, and then a recording studio.
For the first time, parishioners found themselves attending Mass by logging on. Churches closed during the pandemic, but many, including Siena, streamed their services. It looked different and felt different, but during unsettling times, Psalm 150 ensured Siena's Masses would not sound any different.
"When Mass reopened to the public, people would come up to me and say, 'Thank you so much! I've watched you play online since March.'"
Gabby Tegiacchi '18, music director
Traditionally, the College's music ministry would be 20 to 30 people strong for a Sunday service. During the pandemic, they limited the chorus to fewer than 10. It's not easy harmonizing at a distance through masks. But then again, it's also not easy making a record when you're not in the same room as your fellow musicians. But they did that too.
Gabby Tegiacchi '18 decided to make a Psalm 150 CD - a special keepsake to celebrate the musicians who kept the music going despite the many obstacles. But the idea created more obstacles. Music studios were only allowing one person into a recording booth at a time to satisfy COVID protocols. So, Psalm 150 recorded their 10 favorite songs one musician at a time at Overit in Albany. Twenty students participated, and then a sound engineer mixed all of the tracks together. The end result, Psalm 150: Coming Alive.
"For every musician, the dream is to record your music and share it with others, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to help a well-deserving group of musicians achieve that dream. In addition to the Siena education itself, so many of our clubs and organizations also empower students with unique opportunities and experiences, and I am proud to say that Psalm 150 is no exception."
Gabby Tegiacchi '18, music director
Choosing the songs was nearly as challenging as the studio work. They essentially created a tournament bracket, and pitted songs against each other with popular vote to determine which song would advance to make the cut. Psalm 150: Coming Alive is available for purchase for $12 ($11.11 plus sales tax). You can pick up a copy at any Mass in the College Chapel or email gtegiacchi@siena.edu.
"I feel incredibly blessed to have been a part of this project. Our group is so lucky to have Gabby, who encouraged us and worked so hard to make this album possible despite the different restrictions and guidelines we encountered. It was an awesome experience for us seniors to record songs we have been singing together for the past four years."
Megan O'Neill '21
"Creating the Psalm 150 CD was not only an achievement personally but as a community. It was a way for Siena to continue steps forward away from the pandemic and towards normalcy while enjoying ourselves and doing things that never seemed possible. I truly hope everyone enjoys listening to it and hearing all of our hard work pay off."
Jonathan Limey '24