December 10, 2024 – The Marist Singers are thriving this semester with the return of Sarah Williams, the Director of Choral Activities, who overcame breast cancer this past summer.

Williams has been with the department since 2006, and assumed her director role in 2007. Originally an opera singer, Williams fell in love with teaching technique during her time as a master’s student. She is now the conductor of Singers, the auditioned Chamber Choir, and works with students in class and one-on-one settings.

“I get so jazzed teaching people to make pretty sounds,” Williams said. “Watching students grow through a craft is so exciting.”

Sarah Williams with Chamber Choir at the 2023 Graduate and Adult Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony. Photo by Carlo de Jesus/Marist College.

In September 2023, Williams was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer.

“It’s really important to get your mammogram,” Williams said. “It was a general, every-year mammogram. I had a spot, and they said let’s biopsy that.”

A week after Williams’ diagnosis, she started her first round of chemotherapy. “There was no thinking about getting treatment,” she said. “You just go.”

Williams continued teaching through the fall 2023 semester while undergoing initial treatment, with overwhelming support from students and staff. Before the first concert since her diagnosis, students surprised Williams with a “Pink Out,” with custom-made pink Williams’ Warriors shirts.

“During chemo, when I was very sick, I was struggling,” she said. “Then I thought, well, they put on all those pink shirts for you! You can’t let them down!”

Williams took medical leave for the spring semester, undergoing two rounds of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. Music provided emotional and mental healing, especially through breathing exercises.

“Being able to control my breath gave me control in a situation where I didn’t have control,” Williams said. “Through my cancer journey, that was huge.”

On July 26, 2024, she was officially declared cancer-free.

“I rang that end-of-treatment bell so loud. It was not just for me. It’s for the whole tribe, every nurse that helped me, every student, every person from my church who made my family and I dinner. Everyone,” Williams said.

While Williams was on medical leave, the music department faculty stepped in to support her and the choral department. Christopher Wynkoop, adjunct professor of Music, assumed Sarah’s responsibility as conductor of Singers and Chamber Choir.

“I knew Singers was going to be fine,” Williams said. “If I didn’t have that team [in the music department] it would’ve been really tough. When I saw Chris conducting, I was like, he’s doing the thing! He’s doing it!”

Sarah came to every concert during her leave.

“Everyone stepped up,” she said. “The ship still sailed.”

Sarah Williams conducting the fall 2024 Family Weekend Concert. Photo courtesy of Abby Castonguay '25.

Under her leadership, Singers performs five concerts per year, three of which take place during the fall semester. The Family Weekend Concert in September was Williams’ first concert after her leave.

“The first day back with the choir was magical,” Williams said. “Two weeks beforehand I thought, what if I don’t remember how to do this? What if I don’t have the stamina anymore? What if they don’t like me anymore? But once we started, I remembered that I love this, and I know how to do this.”

Olivia Artuso ’26, Student President of Singers, said that it’s a privilege to learn from Williams.

“Sarah has a contagious energy that is beautifully complemented by her love and skill towards the craft,” said Olivia. “She does everything in her power to remind her students what they’re capable of.”

In November, Singers put on Night on Broadway, the annual benefit concert for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The show is a theatrical concert that features performances from all Singers, including Upper Treble, Low Voices, and First Year Treble, as well as auditioned small groups and solo acts.

This year, the concert raised over $7,200 for donation.

“It’s important that our students know that this concert does good for a greater community,” Williams said. “And who doesn’t like Broadway? I love the energy of it.”

The Marist Singers performing Defying Gravity from “Wicked” at Night on Broadway, featuring Sirina Garba '28. Photo courtesy of Sarah Williams, Music Department. 

The final concert of the fall semester was Lessons and Carols, a ecumenical service that was held at the Poughkeepsie Bardavon on December 7. The service is one of the oldest traditions on campus, stretching back over 40 years. Originally taking place at the campus Chapel, the service has grown immensely since its inception.

“We sing for everyone. There’s a lot of people who, whether they believe or not, need to know that someone is thinking of them and let us carry their troubles for an hour,” Williams said. “That’s the point of Lessons and Carols.”

The choral program continues to evolve. In the spring semester, Select Treble Choir, led by Wynkoop, will be restarted after a decade-long hiatus. Williams is also looking forward to traveling with Singers again.

Williams’ last words for those who are still battling cancer: “You’re going to ring the bell. Don’t do it alone. Ask for help. See a need, fill a need.”

About Marist Music
Marist offers a Music minor with paths in vocal studies or instrumental studies. First-year music students are eligible to audition for the Fusco Music Scholarship to support their music education.

Singers is open to all students and is one of the largest clubs on campus, with over 100 members. Learn more about Marist Music here.