At Kent, St. Joseph’s Chapel is not only a place for religious gatherings each week but also for music students to perform during regularly scheduled “musical offering” chapel services. Dean Kelderman believes that people can encounter the divine in different ways, including music. “By having musical offerings in the chapel, we are trying to help people realize how to encounter God is not limited to a particular religion,” Dean Keldman said.
Musical offerings happen six times a year, twice each term. Each musical offering is limited to four performances. In the fall, they usually happen late in the term to allow students time to prepare. In winter and spring, it happens midway through the term.
Dean Kelderman wants the service to provide some peace and beauty on a busy day. She argues that people encounter God on many different paths, and music is one of them. She said: “When students are in the group playing, they feel something; we get to witness and participate in their beautiful offering and feel something as well.”
Students who perform during the offerings are usually those who take private lessons and are recommended by their teachers. “I reach out to teachers or ensemble directors, and ask for recommendations from them for this music service,” Mrs. Kovacs said. However, students who don’t take private lessons can also go to Mrs. Kovacs if they want to perform, but an audition will be required. Mrs. Kovacs said: “If I feel the piece is polished enough and appropriate for chapel, then I am happy to have them perform. There’s no limitation on who can play as long as the pieces are performance-ready.”
When choosing the pieces for musical offerings, Mrs. Kovacs explained that they have to enhance the spiritual component of the chapel service. “They don’t need to be religious pieces, but definitely should inspire the audience, in ways such as spiritual reflection, peace, and joy,” Mrs. Kovacs said. For example, whether through lyrics or melody, the music should inspire. Dean Keldman also says that she wouldn’t intentionally change the chapel reading based on the musical offering pieces. “If it is a piano piece with no words, every listener has their interpretation. We match the reading with the theme of the month, such as peace for October this year,” Dean Kelderman explained. Moreover, she hopes that these musical offerings can offer a path for people who don’t have a specific religion.
For instruments during the service, there’s no limitation as well. Kent had musical offerings with Guzheng, ensembles, soloists, classical, and Jazz. “The possibilities are limitless, and who gets chosen only depends on who is ready. It’s always ever-changing,” Mrs. Kovacs said.
Kent offers many amazing opportunities for music students. “I really like these little performances,” Oliver Chan ’25, a member of the flute ensemble, said after playing. “They are low pressure, but you still have a chance to perform in public, so you have a goal to work towards. I enjoyed it, and it was worthwhile.”
