They Tell Me of a Home: Celebrating 40 Years of Song with the Notre Dame Folk Choir
The University of Notre Dame Folk Choir is thrilled to share They Tell Me of a Home, an album created in celebration of the Folk Choir’s 40th anniversary, with the ThinkND Family. The title, They Tell Me of a Home, is inspired by lyrics from “Unclouded Day,” an American folk hymn, whose lyrics offer hope even in times of suffering, loneliness, or loss.
Experience the Episode
Friday, January 31, 2025 12:00 pm
In May of 2021, The University of Notre Dame Folk Choir released They Tell Me of a Home, an album created in celebration of the Folk Choir’s 40th anniversary. The album was released Friday, May 28, 2021, on all digital platforms, and a live-streamed 40th Anniversary Concert from the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, followed on Saturday, May 29, which ThinkND is pleased to share with you below.
The title, They Tell Me of a Home, is inspired by lyrics from “Unclouded Day,” an American folk hymn and ninth track on the album. The choir found hope in these lyrics during a year characterized by suffering, loneliness, and loss. This title beautifully captures the Folk Choir’s mission to “tell of” the wholeness of our faith through our music. Throughout the Fall semester, each member of the sixty person choir produced individual recordings of their voice, which were then compiled to produce the entire album.
They Tell Me of a Home seeks to honor the choir’s long history at Notre Dame, especially the work of the Folk Choir Founder and Director Emeritus, Steven C. Warner; Assistant Director Emeritus Karen Schneider-Kirner; and countless alumni who have helped shape the vibrant and faithful community of the Folk Choir throughout the past 40 years. The album includes traditional Catholic hymns that have been part of the Folk Choir’s repertoire for decades, such as “Christ Be Our Light” and “Day is Done.” Also featured on the album is Folk Choir alumna, Danielle Rose, who wrote and performed the solo on “Shelter You Name.” The album features “Rex”, a song composed by director J.J. Wright with a solo performed by Mary Gorski ‘21. The marrying of compositions and talents from the choir’s past and present are indicative of the group’s commitment to honoring the rich history of the choir while always striving to continue extending our ministry beyond Notre Dame’s campus.
More