Performance Opportunities
University Choir
The University Choir is a treble choir comprised of students attending St. Kate's and is offered as a co-curricular activity. The choir has no audition requirement - just come ready to sing! University Choir will regularly perform works which feature languages and cultures outside of the Western European-Classical tradition, with a focus on composers of marginalized and underrepresented identities and communities.
Music literacy, vocal pedagogy, and community-building are core aspects of University Choir rehearsals, and students can expect to build musical skills and lasting connections through this ensemble. University Choir is also an affirming and safe space for students to explore their creativity and express themselves through singing. The choir meets twice a week - currently, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 5:00pm to 6:30pm in rehearsal hall in the basement of the Music Building. Prospective/interested singers may fill out .
For further inquiries about the choir and joining, please contact director Dr. Dane Alexander Carten: dacarten943@stkate.edu
Fall 2026 Performances:
Friday, November 6th @ 7pm: Fall concert "The Triune Nature" held in Recital Hall, Music Building.
Sunday, December 13th @ 4pm: Holiday Concert with Chapel Choir held in Our Lady of Victory Chapel.
Chapel Choir
Open to all students, faculty, staff, and community members, this choir meets weekly on Wednesday evenings from 7pm to 8:15 in the Chapel to rehearse. Chapel Choir sings once a month for Sunday Masses in addition to special concerts and events at St. Kate's. There is no audition requirement, but please RSVP to ensure there is a folder ready for you! Liturgies at St. Kate's strive to always be welcoming and inclusive to people of all faith journeys - you do not have to be Catholic to participate. Our current vocal range is SATB, and our current age range is 18-85! There are also opportunities within the group for solo singers or instrumentalists.
For inquires about the Chapel Choir and joining, please contact Director of Music and Liturgy Katie Jonza: kejonza940@stkate.edu
Fall 2026 Schedule:
Sunday Mass Dates: October 11, November 1, November 29
Joint Candlelight Christmas Concert with the University Choir: Sunday, December 13th at 4pm
Christmas Eve: 4:00pm Lessons and Carols, 4:30pm Mass
All services and concerts take place in Our Lady of Victory Chapel.
Pick Up Choir
Interested in participating through song in St. Kate's larger University Events? Pick up choir is composed of anyone in the St. Kate's Community, including both University and Chapel Choir members . This group is for those who are too busy to commit to weekly rehearsals, but want to still sing!
Opportunities to sing throughout the year include: Mass of the Holy Spirit, Christmas Eve, Baccalaureate Mass, Reunion Mass, and various prayer services scattered throughout the year.
For further inquiries about the choir and joining, please contact Katie Jonza: kejonza940@stkate.edu
Fall 2026 Pick-Up Choir:
Baccalaureate Mass: Saturday May 9, 9:00am Mass
Reunion Mass: Sunday, June 7, 10:30am Mass
All performances take place in the beautiful Our Lady of Victory Chapel unless noted otherwise.
Meet Our Conductors
Dane Alexander Carten (he/him) is a lifelong musician, performer, and composer, lending his voice to concert halls across the country in professional ensembles such as the Audivi Symphonic/Opera Chorus, Detroit Symphonic Orchestral Choir, and the Helios Ensemble. He spent his formative years in the punk and metal scenes of Detroit, and toured the Midwest first as a hardcore metal vocalist, then as a bassist and backup vocalist for several rock and pop-punk bands. Dane holds two Summa Cum Laude degrees in music – the Associate of Music Theory and Composition from Oakland Community College in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and the Bachelor of Music Education with a focus in Voice from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. He also holds a Masters and Doctorate in Choral Conducting from the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. Dane has contributed scholarly articles to books such as GIA Publications' Choral Repertoire by Women Composers, as well as regional and national journals such as the Antiphon and The Choral Journal on topics related to marginalized composers, vocal pedagogy, modern choral music, and singing technique. Dane now holds the position of Director of Cocurricular music here at ÃÛÌÒTV, and conducts the University Choir.
Katie Jonza (she/her) is an experienced Church Musician and Liturgist, with ten years of professional experience in churches and campus ministry. With a BM in Church Music from St. Olaf College and an MA in Liturgical Music from St. John's University School of Theology and Seminary, Katie has training in Music Education and Pedagogy, Liturgical and Sacred Music, Piano, Voice, and Choral Conducting. Her favorite part of working as the Director of Music and Liturgy at St. Kate's is working with the students, faculty, staff, alumni, and Our Lady of Victory Mass Community members. In addition to planning all Christian worship on campus, she directs the Chapel Choir, the only choir on campus open to students, faculty, staff, and community members of all ages, genders, voice parts, and skill level.
