Each Sunday as Villanova students gather at the Sunday evening Masses, they are treated to the singing and performing of Pastoral Musicians.

This element is generally regarded as one of the highlights of the night and one of the elements that separates Villanova’s student Masses from traditional services.

It was with this in mind that Pastoral Musicians decided to release their first CD, “Twilight Shadows Gather.”

“Twilight Shadows Gather” is a service project in the sense that it provides the community with an opportunity to experience the atmosphere of the Sunday evening masses,” said Vinny Londino, student co-director of Pastoral Musicians.

The CD, released today, features 17 tracks, highlighted by a performance by special guest vocalist University President Rev. Peter Donohue, O.S.A. The project began last spring when Pastoral Musicians gathered to record the CD and was produced and finalized over the summer. The tracks from the CD cover songs which have become standards of the Sunday evening student Masses.

In celebration of the release of their CD, Pastoral Musicians are hosting a release party in the St. Thomas of Villanova Church tonight at 7:30 p.m.

This event will feature live performances of tracks featured on the CD and also a performance by Donohue of his track. The entire Villanova community is invited to attend.

“The faces of the pastoral musicians change every year,” said Joe Ronca, student co-director of Pastoral Musicians. “However, every new generation carries on our group’s tradition, rooted in many of our standard pieces and our mission of serve through music.” “We hope that this album solidifies that tradition, which transcends each individual member and yet cannot live on without each one of them.”