The Interior Castle (formerly The Sound Castle), is the Mazzei Family: Edith, our dear, late mother, (still singing with us in spirit), Francine, Therese, Loretta (sisters) and Michael (brother). We’ve been singing together since our childhood, always nurturing a dream of becoming a top, “pop” singing group, writing hit songs. Eventually, after establishing our own recording studio in our home, we began recording, arranging, and producing our own compositions. Years of discouragement, broken promises, criticism, and rejections from record companies followed; but we never gave up our dream, and stayed together as a group.

Through these years, our constant prayer was for God to help us become successful in the music business. Although, we were beginning to lose hope. We realized it was becoming more difficult to adapt our music into the ever-changing musical styles. We did not realize God was answering our prayers in His own way.

A priest friend of ours, the late Fr. Mario Del Signore, asked us to sing at one of his Christmas Masses. He encouraged us to sing each month at his church, and even gave us songs and hymns to arrange and sing. This was the “door” leading us to a different musical path — religious music. No longer were we restricted or criticized on our sound. We finally found our place in music.

Our cherished, late parents, Joseph and Edith Mazzei., played an integral role in all of this, and that is why we dedicated our Christmas CD, A Child Shall Lead to them. Without their support and encouragement we would not have been able to pursue our love of creating music. Our late beloved mother, Edith joined the group when our older sister, Bernadette married, and left our singing career to devote more time to her family. Our mother took her place, and with her sweet soprano voice, helped immensely with the soprano vocals. She was very passionate, with a deep love for our Catholic faith, and all it encompasses. She instilled in us a love of music, teaching us to appreciate both sacred and popular styles. Music was constantly heard throughout our home. As children, we remember there was always a radio or “record” being played. And last, but not least, she instilled in us a love and great empathy for all God’s creatures, from human beings to the tiniest bug. We fondly remember in grade school, when she would insist we bring extra pencils and paper just in case there was a child who might be without. Her love for animals was an important part of our lives. She had deep compassion for the homeless and unfortunate, and at one time we had a house filled with nine cats and six dogs — all strays. She taught us compassion, and tried to help us convey this quality in each song we would sing…to draw others close… especially to God.

Our dear father, Joseph was our constant support. He encouraged us to make use of every moment, and not to waste time. “Do something constructive “was his constant motto. He loved his profession as a radiologist. His entire life was reading x-rays, which he practiced faithfully up until the age of 95, when he was finally “let go” by the corporation in charge. Besides his love of work, he also loved music, and supported us wholeheartedly, helping us eventually acquire our own studio in our home. Because of this we were able to write, arrange and produce musical compositions, initially in the secular genre, and later, in the religious. When we were asked to sing at special Masses, weddings and funerals, he was overjoyed. And, when we decided to devote our time solely to studio recording, he championed that decision, as well. He was the unheard, but very necessary “voice” in our music. God finally called him home a month shy of his 98th birthday, joining our mother in eternal life.

Every song we sing reflects years of effort, sacrifice and determination. Every song you hear we hope will touch your heart. We hope we have pleased you. We hope we have pleased our Savior.