Carnegie Hall is one of the best known concert halls in the world. Within its walls people have enjoyed some of the world’s best music performed by some of the world’s best artists. Last month, one of our own priests, Fr. Maurice Praught, was able to add his name to the list of those who have performed at Carnegie Hall.
“I couldn’t believe it. This was something that one could only dream about: to be able to sing in such a prestigious concert venue.” This was Father Maurice Praught’s reaction when he began to realize that his friend was not just pulling another one of his practical jokes when he called to ask if Fr. Maurice would like to reassemble their old quintet from their seminary days for a performance at Carnegie Hall.
“In February, 2010, John Angotti was in touch with Fr. John [a member of the quintet] and asked if he would be interested in performing at Carnegie Hall on January 14th, 2011. Fr. John then mentioned in passing that it would be even better if the five priests from the seminary were to get together again and perform at that venue. Angotti was ecstatic with that suggestion and the contacts were made.”
Fr. Maurice began singing in a choir at St. Paul’s parish in Summerside, PEI when he was twelve years old. After entering seminary, he and four other seminarians (now all ordained priests) formed a group that sang at several venues in the Milwaukee area where the seminary was located.
When asked about the night of the performance Fr. Maurice said, “… that evening we were standing in the wings at about 7:45 p.m. waiting for our introductions and the 8 p.m. concert. I have been in front of hundreds of people before, and certainly in celebrating Mass, but the experience and feeling of walking out on that stage to a sold out audience cannot be put into words. And as they say, the rest is history. Before you knew, the concert had come to an end and I would be able to forever say that I had performed at Carnegie Hall.”
Fr. Maurice, pastor of St. Cuthbert’s Parish in Mount Stewart. The performance took place on January 14, 2011. The other members of the quintet are: Fr. Mark Waters lives in St. Augustine, Florida; Fr. John Anderson lives in Tomahawk, Wisconsin.; Fr. Joe Roost lives in Davenport, Iowa; Fr. Dan Siepker lives in Des Moines, Iowa.