Monroe Crossing Photo

Monroe Crossing

Entertainment, Bluegrass style!

In 2006, Mike and Kay McCarthy, fans of diverse musical genres, decided to commission a piece which combined the folk sounds of bluegrass with the majesty of classical choral music. Composer Carol Barnett and librettist Marisha Chamberlain combined efforts to create, The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass. The result is a brilliant and exhilarating blend of the classical mass, modern choral sophistication, insightful poetry and traditional bluegrass instrumentation.

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass was premiered in 2007 by Monroe Crossing and award winning choral group Vocal Essence under the direction of Philip Brunelle. Since then, Monroe Crossing has performed the piece over 80 times with choirs from California to Washington D.C. and many points in between. In 2013, under the direction of Kathy Menk, Monroe Crossing performed the piece in New York City at Carnegie Hall. They returned to Carnegie Hall the following year for a repeat performance, this time re-uniting with Philip Brunelle. In 2016, Monroe Crossing teamed up with Missoula based choir, Dolce Canto, and, under the direction of Peter Park, performed the piece at a variety of venues in South Korea!

Now there is a companion piece! Distinguished Concerts International New York commissioned Carol Barnett and Marisha Chamberlin to author another choral meets bluegrass project. The result was Mortals & Angels: A Bluegrass Te Deum. It was premiered in Carnegie Hall in 2016 by bluegrass superstars Dailey & Vincent along with Distinguished Concerts Singers International conducted by Jonathan Griffith. In November, 2017 Monroe Crossing reunited with Vocal Essence and Philip Brunelle to produce this wonderful piece in Minneapolis. A recording of Mortals & Angles was made at this time and released in 2017. Aside from the Te Deum the collection features two choral arrangements by Carol Barnett of original numbers by Monroe Crossing’s Lisa Fuglie.

The World Beloved was recorded by Monroe Crossing and VocalEssence for the Clarion label. Learn more about the album on our CD page.

Enjoy this recent performance with Monroe Crossing and the Luther College Nordic Choir

# 94 Sat, Jun 21, 2025

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass

with

at the

Green Lake Festival of Music

Green Lake, WI

# 93 Sat, Apr 12, 2025

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass

with

Hendrix College Choir, dir. Dr. Andrew Morgan

at the

Staples Auditorium

Conway, AR

# 92 Sun, Mar 30, 2025

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass

with

SDSU Choir, dir. Dr. Laura Diddle

at the

Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center

Brookings, SD

# 91 Sun, Oct 27, 2024

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass

with

Susquehanna Valley Chorale, dir. Dr. Bill Payn

at the

Rusty Rail Brewery

Mifflinburg, PA

# 90 Sat, Oct 26, 2024

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass

with

Susquehanna Valley Chorale, dir. Dr. Bill Payn

at the

Rusty Rail Brewery

Mifflinburg, PA

# 89 Sun, Nov 05, 2023

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass

with

with Abendmusik under the direction of Tom Trenney

at the

First-Plymouth Church

Lincoln, NE

# 88 Sun, Oct 08, 2023

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass

with

at the

Westminster Presbyterian Church

Minneapolis, MN

# 87 Sat, Jun 03, 2023

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass

with

The Cantata Singers, dir. Will Wickham

at the

Wings of Eagles Discovery Center

Horseheads, NY

# 86 Sun, May 07, 2023

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass

with

Bel Canto Choir, dir. Alice Pruisner

at the

Orchard Hill Church

Cedar Falls, IA

# 85 Sun, Apr 30, 2023

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass

with

at the

Bryn Mawr Presbyterian

Bryn Mawr, PA

# 84 Sun, Apr 02, 2023

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass

with

Luther College Nordic Choir, director Andrew Last

at the

Center for Faith and Life, Main Hall

Decorah, IA

# 83 Sun, Mar 19, 2023

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass

with

Commonwealth Chorale under the direction of Dr. Michael Driscoll

at the

Holy Name Parish

West Roxbury, MA

# 82 Sun, Feb 19, 2023

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass

with

Master Singers, dir. Dr. Ryan Kelly

at the

West Chester University: Madeleine Wing Alder Theatre

West Chester, PA

# 81 Sat, May 21, 2022

Celebration of Life: Mike McCarthy

with

at the

Plymouth Congregational Church

Minneapolis, MN

# 80 Tue, Apr 26, 2022

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass

with

ASU choir under the direction of Ryan Sullivan

at the

Fowler Center's Riceland Hall

Jonesboro, AR

# 79 Mon, Apr 25, 2022

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass

with

ASU choir under the direction of Ryan Sullivan

at the

Collins Theater

Paragould, AR

# 78 Sun, Apr 10, 2022

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass

with

The Nova Singers. Conductor - Dr. Laura Lane

at the

St. Paul Lutheran Church

Davenport , IA

# 77 Sat, Apr 09, 2022

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass

with

The Nova Singers. Conductor - Dr. Laura Lane

at the

First Lutheran Chuch

Galesburg, IL

# 76 Sat, Apr 02, 2022

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass

with

Capital Univ. Choir & Dr. Lynda Hasseler

at the

Capital University - Mees Hall

Columbus, OH

# 75 Sat, Mar 26, 2022

Highway 61 Concert Series

with

The Bus Boys

at the

St. Cecilia Theater

Winona, MN

# 74 Sun, Mar 20, 2022

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass

with

at the

Plymouth Congregational Church

Minneapolis, MN

# 73 Sun, Nov 24, 2019

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass

with

UW-Eau Claire Symphonic Choir & Concert Choir

at the

Ganter Concert Hall - Haas Fine Arts Center

Eau Claire, WI

# 72 Wed, Apr 10, 2019

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass

with

The Cantata Singers, conductor Will Wickham

at the

Watkins Glen Performing Arts Center

Watkins Glen, NY

# 71 Mon, Jan 21, 2019

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass

with

The Milledgeville Singers w/ conductor Trey Harper

at the

Milledgeville First United Methodist Church 366 Log Cabin Rd. NE

Milledgeville, GA

# 70 Sun, Oct 14, 2018

Bluegrass Mass w/The Plano Civic Chorus

with

Ralph Frederick Stannard, Conductor

at the

Lovers Lane United Methodist Church

Dallas, TX

# 69 Sat, Oct 13, 2018

Bluegrass Mass w/The Plano Civic Chorus

with

Ralph Frederick Stannard, Conductor

at the

St. Andrew United Methodist Church

Plano, TX

# 68 Fri, Nov 10, 2017

Mortals and Angels: A Bluegrass Te Deum

with

w/VocalEssence, Philip Brunelle, Director

at the

Roseville Lutheran Church

Roseville, MN

# 67 Sun, Nov 05, 2017

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass

with

w/The Dubuque Chorale, Bob Demaree, Artistic Direc

at the

Richard & Helen Brodbeck Concert Hall

Platteville, WI

# 66 Sat, Nov 04, 2017

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass

with

w/The Dubuque Chorale, Bob Demaree, Artistic Direc

at the

Five Flags Center

Dubuque, IA

# 65 Sun, May 08, 2016

Bluegrass Mass w/The Battenkill Chorale

with

Janet McGhee, Conductor

at the

Immaculate Conception Church

Hoosick Falls, NY

# 64 Sat, May 07, 2016

Bluegrass Mass w/The Battenkill Chorale

with

Janet McGhee, Conductor

at the

Immaculate Conception Church

Hoosick Falls, NY

# 63 Thu, Apr 07, 2016

Korean Tour w/Dolce Canto & The Ulsan Metropolitan Chorus

with

Peter Park, Conductor

at the

Ulsan Culture & Arts Center

Ulsan City, South Korea

# 62 Tue, Apr 05, 2016

Korean Tour w/Dolce Canto & Ansan City Choir

with

Peter Park, Conductor

at the

Ansan Arts Center, Haedoji Theatre

Ansan City, South Korea

# 61 Mon, Apr 04, 2016

Korean Tour w/Dolce Canto

with

Peter Park, Conductor

at the

US Embassy

Seoul, South Korea

# 60 Mon, Apr 04, 2016

Korean Tour w/Dolce Canto & Micross Choir

with

Peter Park, Conductor

at the

Young Saing Methodist Church

Iksan, South Korea

# 59 Sat, Mar 19, 2016

Mortals and Angels: A Bluegrass Te Deum w/Arrowhead Chorale

with

Stanley Wold, Conductor

at the

The Depot Great Hall

Duluth, MN

# 58 Fri, Mar 18, 2016

Mortals and Angels: A Bluegrass Te Deum w/Arrowhead Chorale

with

Stanley Wold, Conductor

at the

The Depot Great Hall

Duluth, MN

# 57 Sun, Feb 14, 2016

Bluegrass Mass w/The Nova Singers

with

Laura Lane, Conductor

at the

St Paul Lutheran Church

Davenport, IA

# 56 Sat, Feb 13, 2016

Bluegrass Mass w/The Nova Singers

with

Laura Lane, Conductor

at the

Kresge Recital Hall, Knox College campus

Galesburg, IL

# 55 Thu, Feb 11, 2016

History of Bluegrass School Program

with

at the

Kresge Recital Hall, Knox College campus

Galesburg, IL

# 54 Mon, Jan 18, 2016

Bluegrass Mass w/The Athens Choral Society

with

Stephen Mitchell, Director

at the

Morton Theatre

Athens, GA

# 53 Sun, Nov 08, 2015

Bluegrass Mass with The University Singers

with

Dr Matthew Mehaffey, conductor

at the

Ted Mann Concert Hall

Minneapolis, MN

# 52 Tue, Jul 28, 2015

Snowbowl Mountain Music Summer Concerts

with

Dolce Canto, Peter Park, Conductor

at the

Montana Snowbowl

Missoula, MT

# 51 Sun, Jul 26, 2015

St Timothy’s Summer Music Festival

with

Dolce Canto, Peter Park, Conductor

at the

St. Timothy’s Memorial Chapel

Phillipsburg, MT

# 50 Sat, Jul 25, 2015

Bluegrass Mass w/Dolce Canto

with

Peter Park, Conductor

at the

First Presbyterian Church of Coeur d'Alene

Coeur d'Alene, ID

# 49 Sun, May 03, 2015

Bluegrass Mass with Deer Creek Chorale

with

Dr. Paul Rardin, Conductor

at the

North Harford High School Theater

Pylesville, MD

# 48 Sun, Apr 26, 2015

Bluegrass Mass w/Minnesota Center Chorale

with

Jody Martinson, Conductor

at the

Paramount Theatre

St Cloud, MN

# 47 Sun, Apr 12, 2015

Bluegrass Mass with Philip Brunelle & Plymouth Choir

with

at the

Plymouth Congregational Church

Minneapolis, MN

# 46 Sat, Mar 28, 2015

Bluegrass Mass w/The Heritage Chorale

with

John Finney, Conductor

at the

Wellesley Hills Congregational Church

Wellesley Hills, MA

# 45 Sun, Dec 14, 2014

Bluegrass Mass with Arrowhead Chorale

with

Stanley Wold, Conductor

at the

Duluth Depot Great Hall

Duluth, MN

# 44 Sat, Dec 13, 2014

Bluegrass Mass with Arrowhead Chorale

with

Stanley Wold, Conductor

at the

Duluth Depot Great Hall

Duluth, MN

# 43 Thu, Oct 16, 2014

Bluegrass Mass with Griffin Choral Arts

with

Dr Stephen Mulder, Conductor

at the

Griffin First United Methodist Church

Griffin, GA

# 42 Mon, Jun 09, 2014

Bluegrass Mass with Masterworks Festival Chorus

with

Philip Brunelle, Conductor

at the

Carnegie Hall

New York, NY

# 41 Sun, Jun 08, 2014

Bluegrass Mass with Hancock Chancel Choir

with

Mark Morgan, Conductor

at the

Hancock UCC, Congregational

Lexington, MA

# 40 Mon, May 05, 2014

Bluegrass Mass w/Harrison High School Choir

with

Kristopher Ridgley, Conductor

at the

Harrison School for the Arts Theatre

Lakeland, FL

# 39 Fri, Apr 04, 2014

Bluegrass Mass with Northwest Indiana Symphony Chorus

with

Nancy Menk, Conductor

at the

Bethel Church

Crown Point, IN

# 38 Tue, Mar 04, 2014

Bluegrass Mass w/UWS Acappella Choir

with

Matthew Olson, Conductor

at the

Cathedral of Christ the King

Superior, WI

# 37 Sun, Mar 02, 2014

Bluegrass Mass w/Westminster Presbyterian Choir

with

Jere Lantz, Conductor

at the

Westminster Presbyterian Church

Minneapolis, MN

# 36 Sun, May 19, 2013

Bluegrass Mass with The Bethlehem Senior Choir

with

at the

Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Minneapolis, MN

# 35 Sat, Mar 16, 2013

Bluegrass Mass with the Red Wing Singers

with

at the

The Sheldon Theatre

Red Wing, MN

# 34 Tue, Mar 05, 2013

Bluegrass Mass with Dolce Canto

with

at the

St Anthony Parish

Missoula, MT

# 33 Mon, Feb 18, 2013

Bluegrass Mass with Nancy Menk & 300-Voice Chorus

with

at the

Carnegie Hall

New York, NY

# 32 Sun, Nov 18, 2012

Bluegrass Mass with the Grinnell College Choir

with

Grinnell College Choir

at the

Sebring-Lewis Hall (in the Bucksbaum Center for the Arts)

Grinnell, IA

# 31 Sun, Oct 21, 2012

Bluegrass Mass with the St Joseph Community Chorus

with

at the

Word of Life Church

St Joseph, MO

# 30 Fri, Oct 19, 2012

Bluegrass Mass with the Abendmusik Chorus

with

at the

First-Plymouth Congregational Church

Lincoln, NE

# 29 Thu, Jun 14, 2012

Bluegrass Mass with VocalEssence

with

at the

Central Lutheran Church

Minneapolis, MN

# 28 Sat, Apr 28, 2012

Bluegrass Mass with the South Shore Chorale

with

at the

Fond du Lac High School Performing Arts Center

Fond du Lac, WI

# 27 Sun, Apr 22, 2012

Bluegrass Mass with the Minnetonka Choral Society

with

at the

Hopkins High School Auditorium

Minnetonka, MN

# 26 Wed, Mar 07, 2012

Bluegrass Mass with The South Bend Chamber Singers

with

IPFW Choral Union and University Singers

at the

Trinity English Lutheran Church

Ft Wayne, IN

# 25 Sun, Mar 04, 2012

Bluegrass Mass with The South Bend Chamber Singers

with

at the

O'Laughlin Auditorium, Saint Mary's College

Notre Dame, IN

# 24 Fri, Mar 02, 2012

Bluegrass Mass with Heartland Voices Chorus

with

at the

Elgin Community College Arts Center

Elgin, IL

# 23 Sun, Feb 19, 2012

Bluegrass Mass with The Plymouth Church Chancel Choir

with

at the

Plymouth United Church of Christ

Des Moines, IA

# 22 Fri, Dec 02, 2011

Bluegrass Mass with the Macalester Concert Choir

with

at the

St Paul United Church of Christ

St Paul, MN

# 21 Sun, Nov 06, 2011

Bluegrass Mass with the St John Senior Choir

with

at the

St John the Evangelist Episcopal Church

St Paul, MN

# 20 Sat, Jul 16, 2011

Berkshire Choral Festival (Bluegrass Mass)

with

at the

Stewart Center

Sheffield, MA

# 19 Sun, Nov 07, 2010

Bluegrass Mass with the Westminster Choir

with

at the

Westminster Presbyterian Church

Minneapolis, MN

# 18 Fri, Oct 15, 2010

Bluegrass Mass with the Susquehanna Valley Chorale

with

at the

Weis Center for the Performing Arts

Lewisburg, PA

# 17 Sun, Apr 11, 2010

Bluegrass Mass with The ISU Singers and Ames Chamber Artists

with

at the

Collegiate Presbyterian Church

Ames, IA

# 16 Thu, Mar 25, 2010

Bluegrass Mass with Prairie du Chien HS Choir

with

at the

St Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

Prairie du Chien, WI

# 15 Fri, Nov 20, 2009

Bluegrass Mass with the Muscatine Civic Chorale

with

at the

Wesley United Methodist Church

Muscatine, IA

# 14 Sun, Jun 07, 2009

Bluegrass Mass selections with The Chancel Choir

with

at the

Trinity United Presbyterian Church

Santa Ana, CA

# 13 Mon, May 11, 2009

Bluegrass Mass with Choral Arts Ensemble

with

at the

Hage Atrium, Siebens Building

Rochester, MN

# 12 Sun, May 10, 2009

Bluegrass Mass with Choral Arts Ensemble

with

at the

Zumbro Lutheran Church

Rochester, MN

# 11 Sat, May 09, 2009

Bluegrass Mass with Choral Arts Ensemble

with

at the

Zumbro Lutheran Church

Rochester, MN

# 10 Sun, May 03, 2009

Bluegrass Mass with Philip Brunelle & Plymouth Choir

with

at the

Plymouth Congregational Church

Minneapolis, MN

# 9 Fri, Apr 17, 2009

Bluegrass Mass with Montgomery County Choral Society

with

at the

First United Methodist Church

Conroe, TX

# 8 Sun, May 18, 2008

Bluegrass Mass w/Master Chorale of Washington DC

with

at the

National Presbyterian Church

Washington, DC

# 7 Sun, Apr 06, 2008

Bluegrass Mass w/Philip Brunelle & Plymouth Congregational Choir

with

at the

Plymouth Congregational Church

Minneapolis, MN

# 6 Fri, Mar 14, 2008

Bluegrass Mass with VocalEssence

with

at the

Luther College, Center for Faith and Life

Decorah, IA

# 5 Sat, Mar 08, 2008

Bluegrass Mass with VocalEssence

with

at the

Fox Cities Performing Arts Center

Appleton, WI

# 4 Sat, Oct 27, 2007

Bluegrass Mass with VocalEssence

with

at the

Calvin Fine Arts Center

Grand Rapids, MI

# 3 Wed, May 16, 2007

Bluegrass Mass w/Dale Warland & Cincinnati Conservatory Chorale

with

at the

Corbett Auditorium, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music

Cincinnati, OH

# 2 Sat, Jan 20, 2007

Bluegrass Mass with VocalEssence

with

at the

Ted Mann Concert Hall

Minneapolis, MN

# 1 Fri, Jan 19, 2007

Bluegrass Mass with VocalEssence

with

at the

Trinity Lutheran Church

Stillwater, MN

Places we've played