New Sacred Music Head Peter Kadeli Outlines Selection Process, Plans for Program
Image Courtesy of The Catholic University of America
By Anthony Curioso
Since the retirement of Leo Nestor in 2015, who served as the long-time Head of Sacred Music and Director of Choral Activities at CUA, several faculty members in the Rome School of Music, Drama, and Art have temporarily filled this role. However, in the 2024-25 school year, the Rome School introduced a new permanent faculty member for this position: Professor Peter Kadeli.
Professor Kadeli is currently defending his dissertation for a Doctorate of Music from the University of Indiana (IU). Before starting at IU, he received his Master of Music degree from the University of Michigan in 2020 and his Bachelor of Music degree from George Mason University in 2013. In addition to his role at CUA, Kadeli is also the Associate Conductor of The Washington Chorus, a two-time Grammy-winning professional choir in the DC area.
In an interview over Google Meet, Kadeli commented on discovering the opening for the Head of Sacred Music position at CUA.
“I was at Hope College last year and discovered the CUA sacred music head position on a job board,” Kadeli said. “I was looking at the mission of CUA, to serve the Church and the nation, and reflecting on how I could best exemplify that.”
The application process for the role included Kadeli submitting a resume and portfolio, along with other candidates. In late March and early April 2024, Kadeli and the two other finalists interviewed in person and led a University choir rehearsal. Maestro Murry Sidlin, a professor in the Instrumental Music and Conducting Area and then-interim Head of the Sacred Music Area, announced Kadeli’s appointment during the Spring 2024 choir concert dress rehearsal. In making this announcement, Sidlin shared that Kadeli was the overwhelming favorite among students who provided feedback on the trial rehearsals.
In an interview, Kadeli commented on his thoughts about his interview process for the Sacred Music position and the trial rehearsal.
“Generally, an interview and leading a trial rehearsal are a great way for [a musical] organization to get to know the candidates and the candidates to get to know the organization,” Kadeli said. “I am honored to know that the community resonated with me during my trial rehearsal; my goal when I visited campus during my application process was to meet people and gauge relationships.”
In his time at CUA, Kadeli envisions himself as a facilitator and supporter of the Sacred Music area and the Department of Music as a whole. He emphasized the importance of continuous work with dedicated colleagues. Kadeli also believes that meaningful contributions to the community are vital to his success. He also stressed his need to be patient as he learns about the University’s greatest needs in sacred music and how to best meet them.
Kadeli is proudest of two significant successes in his role so far: conducting the choir and orchestra in the Christmas Concert and accepting students into the Graduate Sacred Music programs. In a year when he is still trying to rebuild the Sacred Music program, the Christmas concert was a resounding success, with a large turnout and well-executed performances of the chosen concert repertoire. Also, some students have been accepted into the graduate sacred music programs for the first time in several years.
Kadeli outlined his current ideas for the future of the Sacred Music area and the University choir.
“For sacred music, my primary goal is to get the graduate programs going,” Kadeli said. “As for the choirs, I have a much clearer vision – I would like to use connections outside of CUA to form collaborations that help accomplish the University’s mission.”
Ultimately, Kadeli shared that his greatest lesson comes from Psalms 127:1: “Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” This verse emphasizes the need for God’s involvement in everything we do.
The CUA choir’s next concert will be Thursday, May 1, at 7:30 p.m. in the Hartke Theatre. In addition to the repertoire the full choir will perform, Kadeli will conduct a select ensemble of choir members who will perform at least one piece they had learned for an ongoing recording project.
