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EPISODE #6
SOUNDS FROM THE SANCTUARY: CHRISTMAS FAVORITES 2020

Episode No. 6 Christmas favorites 2020                

As we celebrate Christmas during this time of the Covid Pandemic, David Ball and Guest Daniel Ficarri guide us through some of their favorite Christmas Carols and Choral works – familiar music of the season

during these strange times. While most live Christmas music is on hold following safety guidelines, we can at least listen to cherished arrangements and performances of Carols usually sung all over the world,

including so many classics from David Willcocks, John Rutter, and even Mr. Candlelight himself, Dr. John Romeri. Also during this year that Pope Francis has declared a Year of St. Joseph, discover The Cherry

Tree Carol, one of the only carols to tell a story featuring Joseph.

A safe and Merry Christmas to all!

EPISODE #2
SOUNDS FROM THE SANCTUARY: THE MUSIC OF THE PSALMS

Episode No. 2 The Music of the Psalms

From the Latin motets of the Sistine Chapel deep within a 16th-century Vatican City to the Anglican tradition of the Cathedral of St. Paul’s in bustling 19th-century London, discover the universal beauty of the Psalms of David set in differing styles, genres, and languages. Featuring tracks from John Scott’s renowned recording of all 150 psalms from St. Paul’s, London and some newly-composed 21st-century psalms by living composers Fr. Jim Chepponis and Luke Mayernik.

EPISODE #1
SOUNDS FROM THE SANCTUARY: CELEBRATING 150 YEARS OF LOUIS VIERNE

Episode No. 1 Celebrating 150 Years of Louis Vierne

Sounds from the Sanctuary celebrates the 150th Anniversary of the birth of Louis Vierne, French composer and famed organist of Notre Dame in Paris, with a playlist of some of his greatest hits. Featuring recordings of American organists Dr. David Crean, Christopher Houlihan, George Baker, and Diane Bish; and historical recordings of Pierre Cochereau, Virgil Fox, Richard Morris, Stephen Cleobury, Vierne himself, and a never-before-heard recording of André Marchal.

EPISODE #80
MUSIC FROM THE TOWER: MARIAN MUSIC FOR THE MONTH OF MAY

Episode No. 80 Marian Music for the Month of May

 Guest Host David Ball takes us on a musical journey of Marian Music – from some of the oldest written hymns to classic Romantic-era solo works to well-known choral settings. Joining David is composer and friend of the show Daniel Ficarri. A recent graduate of the Juilliard School in New York, Daniel Ficarri speaks from the heart of a composer about the inspiring nature of Marian texts, and shares with us his own Ave Maria – a radio premiere and exclusive to Music from the Tower! Featured alongside Ficarri’s stunning new Ave Maria are classics including the Schubert, Bach-Gounod, and Biebl settings; and some lesser-known, yet equally gorgeous settings by living composers Anna Jacobs, Cecilia McDowall, James Biery, and John Rutter.

EPISODE #79
MUSIC FROM THE TOWER: AN EASTER LIKE NO OTHER

Episode No. 79 Easter 2020, An Easter Like No Other

Four Cathedral Musicians talk about what it was like to prepare for Holy Week, Triduum and Easter Sunday without congregations, without instrumentalists, with a limited number of singers and in some cases just an organ and cantor. The Corona virus has given the church an Easter like none of us have ever experienced before. Enjoy this fascinating look into the planning (and replanning) that it took to make Easter 2020 come alive in four of the nations most important cathedrals:

GUESTS:
Christ Cathedral, Orange California Dr. John A Romeri, Director of Music and David L. Ball, Assistant Director of Music and Cathedral Organist
Christ Our Light Cathedral, Oakland California Dr. Rudy De Vos, Director of Music and Organist
St. Thomas More Cathedral, Arlington Virginia Dr. Richard Gibala, Director of Music and Organist
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC Dr. Peter Latona, Director of Music and Organist

MUSIC: Haec Dies John Shepherd (1515 – 1558) Christ Cathedral (6 staff singers) John Romeri, conductor
MUSIC: Alleluia Randall Thompson Christ Our Light Cathedral (8 staff singers) Rudy De Vos, conductor
MUSIC: The Lord Will Reign Forever James Biery St. Thomas More Cathedral (recorded before Corona with their Cathedral Choir) Richard Gibala, conductor
MUSIC: Christ our Passover, Peter Latona The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (5 singers) Peter Latona, conductor
MUSIC: In The Father’s Glory Peter Latona The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (5 singers) Peter Latona, conductor

ARTICLE: The Music of the Easter Season: Adapting to the Challenges of Coronavirus Dr. Peter Latona

 

EPISODE #78
MUSIC FROM THE TOWER: A SPECIAL EPISODE OF “SOUNDS FROM THE SPIRES” WITH HOST DR. JENNIFER PASCUAL – RECORDED AT SIRIUS XM STUDIOS IN NEW YORK

Episode No 78 Dr. Jennifer Pascual, Dr. John Romeri, David Ball on a special episode of “Sounds from the Spire”. Dr. Pascual from St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York, interviews the musicians of American’s newest Cathedral.

Hear a fascinating visit with three of the busiest Church Musicians in the country. St Patrick’s Cathedral and Christ Cathedral in Orange California are no doubt two of the wildest places on earth. Lots of people, parishioners and tourists, pour into these great cathedrals for many masses each weekend. John and David has been musical team since David was in high school back in their St. Louis Cathedral days. Hear some wonderful music from the choirs of Christ Cathedral, some great organ playing by David Ball, and even a surprise piece from the Papal visit in 1999 in St. Louis!

MUSIC: Te Deum Rachel Lauren David Ball, organist Cathedral Brass, John Romeri, Conductor
MUSIC: Let the People Praise Thee. William Mathias. Cathedral Choirs and Orchestra, John Romeri, Conductor
MUSIC: Paean. Herbert Howells. David Ball, Organist
MUSIC: Hic est vere martyr. Sebastian de Vivanco arr. David Ball. Cathedral Schola, John Romeri, Conductor
MUSIC: Festival Alleluia James Chepponis 1999 Papal Visit to St. Louis. Archdiocesan Choirs and Orchestra. Schoot Kennebeck, Cantor, John Romeri, Conductor
MUSIC: Dieu Parmi Nous. Olivier Messiaen David Ball, Organist
MUSIC: I Was Glad. Herbert H Parry. Cathedral Choirs and Orchestra, John Romeri, Conductor

EPISODE #77
MUSIC FROM THE TOWER: GUESTS ARE DR. JOE MILLER AND DR. MARSHALL ONOFRIO OF WESTMINSTER CHOIR COLLEGE

Episode No. 77 Dr. Joe Miller, Conductor of Westminster Choir and head of the Choral Department, and Dr Marshall Onofrio, Dean of the School of Fine Arts and Westminster Choir College, Princeton.

As Westminster Choir celebrates its 100th Anniversary you will hear from its present conductor, Dr. Joe Miller and the Dean of the Choir College about the rich history of these 100 years. The great tradition of John Finley Williamson and Dr. Joseph Flummerfelt is the foundation of this great legacy now continued into the next century by Dr. Miller. He will give an explanation of the anniversary tour program and the significance of the pieces which he chose. Also hear about the future projects of the choir as they prepare for the annual Spoleto Festival in Italy and performances with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Dr. Onofrio looks into the complicated future of the Choir College as it moves to the Rider University campus in Lawrenceville, NJ. Marshall has complete confidence in a bright future for this worthy institution. With a strong alumni association here in Los Angeles, we are all hoping and praying he is correct in his forecast.

MUSIC: I sat down under his shadow Bairstow: (CD: Martin Mass for Double Choir)
MUSIC: O How Amiable  Ralph Vaughan Williams (CD: Favorite Hymns and Anthems)
MUSIC: Vocal Quartets, Op. 64 – An Die Heimat  Brahms (CD: Singing for Pleasure)
MUSIC: O Magnum Mysterium  Elder (CD: The Heart’s Reflection)
MUSIC: Sanctus from Mass for Double Choir  Martin: (CD: Martin: Mass for Double Choir)

EPISODE #76
MUSIC FROM THE TOWER: GUEST IS DR. JENNIFER PASCUAL OF “SOUNDS FROM THE SPIRES”

Episode No. 76  Dr. Jennifer Pascual, Director of Music and Organist at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York City and host of “Sounds from the Spires” with Dr. John Romeri, Director of Music and Organist at Christ Cathedral, Garden Grove, California and host of “Music from the Tower” in a joint radio program.

Together they talk about the two busiest cathedrals in America!  Dr.  Pascual was appointed Director of Music at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City in 2003. She is the first woman to hold this position, one of the most prestigious sacred music appointments in the United States. Jennifer earned a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Organ Performance from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY.  She holds a Master of Music Degree in Piano Performance from the Mannes College of Music in New York. She received the Bachelor of Music Degrees in Piano and Organ Performance, magna cum laude, and Music Education from Jacksonville University in Florida.  https://saintpatrickscathedral.org ChristCathedralMusic.org

MUSIC:  Let There Be Light  Gilbert Martin  from the album “Christ Cathedral Dedication”
MUSIC: Let Us Go Rejoicing  Dr. Peter Latona  from the album “Christ Cathedral Dedication”
MUSIC:  Alleluia  Charles Callahan  Diocesan Children’s Choir from the album “Christ Cathedral Dedication”
MUSIC:  Gesu Bambino Pietro Yon  St Patrick Cathedral Choir, New York
MUSIC: Song of Mary  Charles Callahan  St Patrick Cathedral Choir, New York from a live broadcast of a bishop ordination.
MUSIC:  Holy God We Praise Thy Name  St Patrick Cathedral Choir, New York from a live recent broadcast of a bishop ordination.

EPISODE #75
MUSIC FROM THE TOWER: GUEST IS VINCENT CARR

Episode No 75 Vincent Carr, Associate Professor of Music (Organ), Church Musician, Organist, Conductor, Composer, Scholar

Vincent Carr is Associate Professor of Music in Organ at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Carr is an organist, conductor, and composer known for his versatility as a performer. He leads an eclectic musical career, with interests in sacred music, choral repertoire, chamber music, contemporary American repertoire, musical theater, global popular music, and songwriting. He served as associate organist and choirmaster at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City, New York from 2013-2017. From 2009-2017, he served as Adjunct Professor at the John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University in Montclair, New Jersey.

Carr earned both a Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance and a Bachelor of Arts with Distinction in Spanish from Indiana University. At IU, he studied organ with Larry Smith, harpsichord with Elisabeth Wright, and improvisation and church music with John Schwandt and Marilyn Keiser. A graduate of the Institute of Sacred Music at Yale University, Carr studied organ performance there with Martin Jean, improvisation with William Porter and Jeffrey Brillhart, and choral conducting with Jeffrey Douma.

He has been an award winner in several national performance and improvisation competitions and is in high demand as a clinician, lecturer, and performer. From 2006 to 2013, he served as associate organist at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, New Jersey, one of the largest gothic cathedrals in the Americas. He has performed and studied throughout the United States, Europe, and Latin America (including the Republic of Cuba).

Carr is an Associate and Choirmaster of the American Guild of Organists. In 2013, he took a sabbatical in Europe, studying composition in the tradition of Nadia Boulanger at the Schola Cantorum de Paris through the European American Musical Alliance. In 2014, he served as musical director for a new production of Ruddigore for the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival in Harrogate, England. An active collaborative musician, he has performed extensively with the renowned Richard Alston Dance Company in both London and New York City. Vincecarr.com

MUSIC: Impromptu Samuel Coleridge Taylor Vince Carr, Organist Recorded at Indiana University
MUSIC: Pavane Robert Elmore Vince Carr, Organist Recorded at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark
MUSIC: Come Sunday Mahalia Jackson Organ Improvisation by Vincent Carr Recorded at Indiana University
MUSIC: 3 Pieces for Organ #2 Chorale Prelude: Herr Liebster Jesu George Walker Vincent Carr, Organist
MUSIC: 3 Pieces for Organ #3 Invocation George Walker Vincent Carr, Organist

EPISODE#22
CATHEDRAL SQUARE: GUEST IS DR. JOHN ROMERI, DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MINISTRY AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL

On today’s program, Fr. Christopher is thrilled to welcome Dr. John Romeri to the show. You might recognize Dr. Romeri as being the host of his own show called Music from the Tower, which is heard each Saturday at 10:00 PM on Relevant Radio. Listen in as he shares about his remarkable history and background; and, the vision for music ministry going forward at Christ Cathedral. Tune in, and be inspired!

 

 

 

 

 

Originally broadcast on 1/11/20