My professional training is in philosophy, theology, and the humanities–music composition has always run parallel to these disciplines as something more of an exceptionally rewarding hobby. Since my first performance nearly a decade ago, I told myself that I would see where it takes me, but I would not hold my breath hoping to make a career out of it. During the Fall break of 2025 I started planning what I might do with my summers while in the Master of Divinity program at Notre Dame. Between...

You know that feeling when you’re totally in command of your craft? Well I don’t. At least, that’s how I felt about singing. When I labeled myself as “ Will Strassberger | Composer, Baritone” I was really leaning into the former and only mentioning the latter in case of emergencies, like getting paid to sing at a wedding. This insecurity plagued me from the time I was in the Schola Cantorum at the seminary, to the Jacksonville Symphony Chorus, the Lakewood Presbyterian Church Choir, and most...

In 2023, I was working as the Pastoral Associate at St. Paul Catholic Church in Riverside, a neighborhood of Jacksonville, Florida. The parish invited Dr. Mary Soha to present on the Martyrs of La Florida. For many years I was aware of Dr. Soha, she gave many presentations to the seminarians but for some reason or another I was never able to attend, sadly. This time, fortunately, I was able to go to the parish function and I found the story very inspiring. I asked to sit down with Dr. Soha...