Borealis Chamber Artists, in partnership with the College of St. Scholastica and regional environmental organizations, will present Mass for the Endangered, a two-day immersive concert and environmental exhibit event exploring themes of biodiversity loss, climate grief and collective responsibility.
At the heart of the event is Mass for the Endangered by acclaimed composer Sarah Kirkland
Snider — a 45-minute contemporary choral-orchestral work that gives voice to the fragile and
threatened elements of both the natural world and human experience. This production features
a collaborative choreographic element by Kayla Schiltgen, whose work deepens the emotional
and visual impact of the performance.
Schiltgen describes the work as: Mass for the Endangered gives voice to what is fragile, overlooked or at risk — both in the natural world and within our communities… a prayer for endangered animals and the threatened
environments they depend on, and an appeal for parity, compassion, and protection… Mass for
the Endangered asks not only what species or landscapes we are losing, but whether our
kindness, empathy, compassio, and care for one another are themselves becoming
endangered.
Surrounding the musical performance is a curated, exhibit-style community experience.
Audience members are invited to explore interactive booths, visual art displays and educational
installations presented by local environmental organizations and academic departments from
the College of St. Scholastica.
The exhibit space will be open before and after the performance, encouraging reflection, conversation and meaningful engagement.
This format connects the emotional power of live performance with tangible opportunities for learning and action — bringing music, science and advocacy into dialogue.
Event Details:
Saturday, May 23, 2026
College of St. Scholastica, Duluth
● Environmental Exhibit (Student Center): 6–9 pm
● Performance (Mitchell Auditorium): 7:30–8:15 pm
● Appetizers and drinks provided
Tickets are available at:
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/borealischamberartists/event/massfortheendangered/
Students may use the code Student5 for discounted admission.
In addition to the public performance, a special daytime presentation on Friday, May 22, will welcome approximately 300–400 high school students from across the region. This educational event is made possible through the generous support of the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation.
Mass for the Endangered reflects Borealis Chamber Artists’ commitment to presenting innovative, socially relevant programming that engages audiences both artistically and intellectually. By pairing a powerful contemporary work with community-centered exhibits, the event invites audiences not only to listen, but to reflect, connect and respond.
Borealis Chamber Artists is a Duluth-based professional ensemble dedicated to connecting
audiences with high-quality, innovative performances that explore diverse repertoire and
meaningful themes.
