Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Peter J. Morabito, 52, music director at St. Ann Parish in Groesbeck for 26 years, died Aug. 23. A memorial Mass was celebrated at St. Ann on Aug. 28.

Morabito held a bachelor’s degree in music and composition and a master’s degree in choral conducting, both from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He joined the staff at St. Ann Parish in 1984 after having served at the Holy Spirit (Fenwick) Chapel and at St. Saviour Church in Cincinnati.
 
He was the founder and musical director of the Cincinnati Northwestern Chorale and its summer chorus program, which had just completed its annual concert at St. Ann on Aug. 22, hours before his death. In 2001 he co-directed “Crosstown Harmony,” a chorus of 60 voices (members of the St Ann Chorale, Nativity Church Choir and the Cincinnati Northwestern Chorale) who performed a concert tour of Italy.
 
In addition to his choral activities, Morabito was known as both a vocalist and accompanist; he performed with the Vocal Arts Ensemble of Cincinnati, with whom he has also served as assistant conductor. He was a former member of the high holy days cantorial choir at Rockdale Temple and served there on occasion as organist or song leader.
 
As a composer, he received commissions from the Northern Kentucky Symphony and the Cincinnati Boychoir.  His composition, “This Is My Song,” was published in 2007.  Other compositions premiered with the Schola Cantorum of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary and the Cincinnati Camerata, and his compositions were performed by several church and community choirs in the greater Cincinnati area.

He is survived by his wife, Teresa; his sons, Christopher, Matthew and Nathaniel; and his brother, Joseph. Memorials may be made to LaSalle High School Band.