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 |