Anybody want Colloquium recordings?

If you want the audio recordings from the 2008 or 2009 Sacred Music Colloquiums in Chicago, drop me an email.  They’re available on the website at music.dierschow.com/2008Colloquium and music.dierschow.com/2009Colloquium, but the recordings are pretty huge if you want to download ALL of them.

I’ll also be making recordings next week of Colloquium XX in Pittsburg, so let me know if you would like to get a copy of that.

I’ve made a number of data CDs of these recently, including a couple that I’m taking to Pittsburg.  These are DATA CDs – just a number of ZIP files – because the audio CD versions would take at least a dozen discs.

So drop me an e-mail if you’re interested!

Time to prune?

We lost a big chunk off of one of our big trees with last week’s snow storm, and I spent a lot of time today cleaning up the mess.  It gave me some time to think about the importance of pruning, especially since this is the time of year that I look at trimming my obligations and commitments for the upcoming year.

Pruning is good, and it’s healthy.

Continue reading Time to prune?

A test of faith

For the third time now, we pulled together all the chant choirs from the parishes in Fort Collins to do a single Mass.  Or in this case, two: one at my home parish, and one next Sunday at the most traditional church building in town.

I’m glad that this one wasn’t the first time we got together, because it was just crazy.  Just to give you a feel for it, the planning was again done by three directors, and we never actually got together and met.  On top of that, we had four practices, and never had more than one of the directors at each.

I felt particularly bad, because I didn’t attend any of the practices myself, having been waylaid in London last week due to the volcano.

But with God’s grace, it came together this morning.  Not perfect by any means, but God doesn’t demand perfection.  He just wants to give all for His worship and glory.

My deep thanks go out to all the singers this morning, who especially showed grace and enthusiasm despite some big-time chaos.  And I know we’re all looking forward to next week, when we have the chance to sing in a wonderfully resonant space.  I think that will blow a lot of people away who haven’t had the chance to sing that way before.

Teaching using the Ward Method

There was an interesting piece on a local news channel about a teacher at the University of Northern Colorado who uses the Ward Method to successfully teach music.  I haven’t met her yet, although I’ve been interested to attend one of her workshops.

The reason for mentioning it here is that our chant schola is featured – OK, for maybe ten seconds – in reference to the Ward Method growing out of Gregorian Chant in the Catholic Church.

Check it out on the 9News website.

Christus resurrexit!

I absolutely love this time of year.  Easter is a chance for a deep spiritual renewal – in so many ways.

I’m heavily involved with the RCIA program in our parish, which builds toward the Night of All Nights that we just experienced yesterday.  A three hour Mass brings into clear focus how we are to act as believers, and to help others on their paths toward redemption.

Continue reading Christus resurrexit!

Chant and Harp!

I had a chance to sing in a Compline service last night at Blessed John XXIII parish in Fort Collins, Colorado.  What really made this special was the addition of a talented local harpist, Alaina Bongers.

I managed to capture the recordings, which you can find here on my website.  Check it out!

It just goes to show you – never be unwilling to try new things!

1 Attende Domine
2 The Wisdom of Isaiah
Alaina Bongers, harp
3 Ave Maria
Giulio Caccini 1551-1618
4 Opening Invocation
5 Parce Domine
6 Confiteor and Absolution
7 All praise to thee, my God, this night
8 Psalm: In the silent hours of night, bless the Lord
9 Scripture reading: Deuteronomy 6:4-7
10 Responsory
11 What Wondrous Love
Alaina Bongers, harp
12 Canticle of Simeon
13 Blessing and Conclusion
14 Ave Regina Caelorum

Rachmaninoff Vespers!

This evening, my wife and I had a chance to attend a concert of the Larimer Chorale, our local and extremely talented choral group based in Fort Collins.  The program was Rachmaninoff’s Vespers (All-Night Vigil), Opus 37.

Sung entirely in Russian, it was an amazing experience!  And more unexpected – a capella!

Continue reading Rachmaninoff Vespers!

A long strange path!

My wife and I had a chance to go to a local Amy Grant concert Friday night.  This was a benefit for Lutheran Family Services, and included a limo ride down to Denver, and a meet-and-greet with Amy after the show.

It was a truly fantastic evening, in so many ways.

Continue reading A long strange path!

Remember why we do this!

One of my other roles at church is to help out with our parish’s RCIA program.  Yesterday, despite a somewhat tenuous weather situation, we all traipsed down to the Cathedral in Denver for one of the Rite of Election services with the Archbishop.  As always, he was a wonderful Shepherd for his flock, helping our RCIA Candidates and Catechumens to realize the magnitude of their life-altering decisions.

What does this have to do with Sacred Music?

Continue reading Remember why we do this!

Challenges

This is a time of turmoil in my spiritual life.  I won’t go into more detail, but it’s something that is causing me to lose a bit of sleep.  And what little hair I have left.

What to do?

Continue reading Challenges