Rome Recordings

While we await Francesco's return with videos and photos from Rome, I've been scouring the internet for any news or recordings of the International Church Music Festival and found a posting from Harry Butler who was hired to produce a souvenir DVD of the event.  Follow this link:  St. Paul's (Rome) for a first-hand account of his recording experience - although technical in some paragraphs, he was kind enough to attach a couple of files snipped from the concert track.  

Annapolis Madrigal Singers

The Annapolis Area Christian School Madrigal Singers were also in Rome for the International Church Music Festival. Photos of their stay in Rome are available on their blog aacsmadrigals.blogspot.com

Bellevue Festival Choir

Also in Rome for the International Church Music Festival is the Bellevue Festival Choir, an ensemble of 20 singers from St. James Omaha, and the St. Luke and Blair Methodist churches. The group is led by St. James' Director of Music Laura Petry.


The group will join nine other American choirs to total more than 400 singers. A similar number of ICMF alumni and international registrants are coming to the festival from England, India, Holland, Australia, and Switzerland. Choirs from Italy, Ukraine, Slovakia and Kenya are also expected.

Source: The Omaha Newstand

Celebration in Rome

Francesco and his "Roman" choir will leave for Rome this evening.  

Scheduled performances are:  

Wed. June 17: Papal Audience

Thurs. June 18:  Concert at the Pantheon

Fri. June 19:  Gala concert at St. Paul Outside-the-Walls

Nielson & Young, Piano-Duo at the ICMF

On the artistic staff of the International Church Music Festival since 1985, Ovid Nielson and Stephen Young have been active church music leaders throughout their careers. Mr. Nielson was recently named to the faculty of the Cliburn Institute at Ft. Worth’s Texas Christian University. In 2007, Mr. Young was appointed Artist-in- Residence on the School of Music faculty at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois.

Individually and jointly, they are widely-published composers of music for solo and multiple keyboards, choir and orchestra. Nielson & Young’s extensive discography includes many recordings from the classical repertoire as well as from the ever-expanding output of their signature hymn tune arrangements, many settings of which are for two pianos and orchestra. 

More on the piano-duo available at their website: www.nielsonandyoung.com.

Sources:  www.festcorps.com, www.nielsonandyoung.com

A Tribute to Sister Pat

The St. Mel Parish and Handbell Choirs have been rehearsing Sister Pat's favorite music as a tribute to her 60 years of religious ministry and 20 years of service to the St. Mel community.   One of the songs hand-picked for this occasion is For Good, music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, a piece so appropo for Sister Pat, known throughout the parish for her "personal involvement in all aspects of parish life and... her ability to bring solace, help and hope to all she serves. "*

"I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason

Bringing something we must learn

And we are led to those who help us most to grow

If we let them and we help them in return...

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

But because I knew you...I have been changed for good."

---Wicked

A reception for Sister Pat will follow the 11:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday, June 7, 2009.  Instead of gifts, donations in honor of Sister Pat to The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondolet will be appreciated.

*Source:  www.csjla.org

Disney Concert Honorees

The St. Mel Choir will join the Interfaith Choir performance at Disney Hall this Sunday June 7.  Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

During the Disney Concert, the Kindred Spirits Humanitarian Award will be granted to those who have dedicated their lives to humanitarianism.  This year's honorees are Ed Asner and the Grossman Burn Centers.

In addition to his professional versatility, Ed Asner has consistently served and committed himself to the rights of the working performer in addition to advocating for human rights, world peace, environmental preservation and political freedom. Asner can be heard as the voice of Carl Fredrickson in Pixar's animated film UP (which my teen-age daughter thoroughly enjoyed).  A definite departure from the usual Disney themes, Ed plays the role of a Senior citizen action hero.  (AP photo)

More details on this year's honorees are available here.

Disney Concert Beneficiary

The St. Mel Choir will join the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony and the Valley Beth Shalom and St. James Gospel choirs for a benefit performance at Disney Hall on Sunday June 7.  

The event is a world class humanitarian aid concert to benefit Heifer International, an organization that works with communities worldwide to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth. In FY2008, Heifer had 869 active projects in 53 countries/provinces and 27 U.S. states. Heifer projects around the world help families achieve self-reliance through the gift of livestock and training. The event is produced by Kindred Spirits.

Some of Heifer International's efforts include teaching environmentally sound agricultural techniques, animal management, HIV/AIDS education, and youth-focused programs. 
More details on Heifer International are available on their website.

Ellie's Night

Ellie Kearns was honored during the St. Mel Appreciation Dinner on May 29th. Ellie was recognized for her many years of service with the Music Ministry, not just through her singing and business acumen, but also as choir librarian.    Thank you, Ellie!

                    Receiving the award from Msgr. Hefner

                    Celebrating with the Maestro
                       With proud daughter, Leslie