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**Excerpts from an article from Volume I, No. 2
of The Lighthouse
Sacred Music
Concert Performed on Feast Day of
Saint Martin
by Brother Luke Devine, OSB
The Abbey Church was reserved and the
concert date was set for November 11, the feast day of the school and
abbey's patron saint. The time was set for 8:30 p.m. which followed
the monastic evening prayer.
The Saint Martin's Chorale, consists of students taking
the one-credit class. They prepared a variety of songs from various
genres and on various spiritual themes. Among the selections were "Con
que lavaré? a Spanish folk song that asks, "What can wash away our sins?";
"When Jesus Wept" by William Billings, "Agnus Dei," "Jesu Dulcis Memoria,"
and "Praise His Holy Name."
After the aforementioned numbers were performed, the
male choir members returned via processional while chanting, "Shalom," a
Palestinian piece. Then the women entered and sang, "When I am
Silent," a tribute to the children who died at Auschwitz.
The final two numbers were an arrangement of Mozart's
"Peace I Give to You," and "A Gaelic Blessing."
The Abbey Church is known for its excellent acoustics
and full advantage of this was taken. For a few songs, the choir
surrounded the audience, filling the space with sound. It was evident
that Darrell and the choir put a lot of work into preparing the show; their
sound was amazing. The capacity audience gave an enthusiastic standing
ovation.
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