students share their love of singing in annual choir showcase
About 30 students from Donahue Academy and Ave Maria Parish joined a dozen other school and parish youth choirs from across the state for the 2026 Florida Pueri Cantores choir festival at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Miami on March 7. Mr. Michael Olbash, the Director of Sacred Music at Donahue Academy who teaches music from Grdes 5 to 12, and Ave Maria Parish Music Director, Mr. Mark Haas, had been preparing the young musicians for several months as they studied sacred music in Latin, English, and Spanish in anticipation of the event.
On the day of the festival, students and chaperones left early in the morning so that they could spend the day studying under conductor Ms. Lindsey Adams of Bloomington, IL, accompanied by the
cathedral’s Music Director, Mr. Max Tenney.
“I really liked the friendships I made by gathering with older students within the parish and the school,” said Ruth Haas, Grade 4. “I was surprised by the number of kids the event drew. Overall, my favorite song was the Cantate Domino in Spanish as it was upbeat and fun,” she added. “Pueri Cantores is an inspiring experience – seeing a community of singers come together in peaceful worship of God is beautiful,” said Victoria Osorio, Grade 5.The festival concluded with a concert and Mass as well as an inspiring message from the cathedral rector.
The American Federation Pueri Cantores (AFPC) is the USA arm of the International Federation of Pueri Cantores, the Vatican-sponsored organization of Catholic youth choirs founded 75 years ago to promote excellence in liturgical music and to advance Christ’s message of peace after the close of World War II. Mr. Olbash served on the Board of Directors of AFPC for many years and was instrumental in founding the Miami festival at Epiphany Parish about a decade ago. This year, he was glad to return once more and to relish in seeing over 3,000 children take part in 18 choir festivals sponsored by Pueri Cantores around the United States!
