In Celebration of the Human Voice - The Essential Musical Instrument

National Catholic Youth Choir

Mixed Choral Chorus from Collegeville, MN, United States.

The National Catholic Youth Choir was founded in 2000. The choir is sponsored by the School of Theology•Seminary and meets on the grounds of Saint John's Abbey and Saint John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota. This choir was begun under the motto Spreading the Catholic Faith Through Great Music as a response to the call of Pope John Paul II for a "new evangelization." The choir sings music of various Christian traditions, ranging from medieval Gregorian chant to twentieth century music. The primary focus of the choir is liturgical, and the choir seeks to implement the directive of Vatican Council II that the "treasury of sacred music" be preserved and fostered in the modern liturgy.

In past years the choir has sung in several cities in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and in Chicago, Atlanta, Des Moines, Kansas City, Kalamazoo, East Lansing, Indianapolis, and Omaha.

Several dozen high school students going into grades 10, 11, and 12 from across the United States are selected to participate in the choir on the basis of written applications, recommendations, and taped auditions. The summer camp includes choir rehearsal; repertoire-based classes in religion, music theory, and music history; daily worship and prayer (Mass, Liturgy of the Hours, Rosary, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament); CD recording, sports and recreation. The choristers are trained to be cantors as encouragement for musical ministry in their home parishes. The choristers worship together as a group with the Benedictine monks on campus and with the Benedictine sisters in nearby St. Joseph; they conclude each day by singing Compline.

The National Catholic Youth Choir is a liturgically-based choir open to Roman Catholic youth entering 10th-12th grade. The conductor of the choir is internationally renowned choral clinician Dr. Axel Theimer. Fr. Anthony Ruff, OSB, a monk of Saint John's abbey, is the founding director of the choir.

Saint John's University and the College of Saint Benedict are two premier Catholic undergraduate colleges for men and women respectively, with coordinate coeducational learning in all departments, and majors offered in the humanities, sciences, and fine arts.

Discography

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National Catholic Youth Choir : Death and New Life

Review: The National Catholic Youth Choir sings a variety of sacred music from the Renaissance through modern periods. The theme of the 2001 season, "Death and New Life," runs through the pieces. Selections include "Ehre sei Dir Christe," by Heinrich Schutz, "Pie Jesu" and "In Paradisum," from Gabriel Faure's Requiem and "At the River," by Aaron Copland. Led by Axel Theimer, the goal of the choir is to "spread the Catholic faith through great music.

Songlist: Comments by Abbot John Klassen, O.S.B., Abbot of St. John's Abbey, Ehre sei Dir Christe (Glory to you, Christ) (Heinrich Schutz), Tenebrae Factae Sunt (Darkness Covered All) (Michael Haydn), Pie Jesu (Loving Jesus) from Requiem (Gabriel Faure), Christ lag in Todesbanden (Christ Lay in Bands of Death) (Johann HermannSchein), Surgens Jesus (Jesus Arising) (Peter Phillips), Doxology (Kevin Vogt), Ave Maria (Bach-Gounod), We Sing With Joy (Marvin Curtis), Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life (Bryan Beaumont Hays), Blest are Those (Richard Proulx), In Paradisum (Into Paradise) from Requiem (Gabriel Faure), Sanctus from Corpus Christi Mass (Richard Proulx), At the River (Aaron Copland), Regina Caeli (O Queen of Heaven) (Francesco Suriano), Song of Triumph (Dale Grotenhuis), Holy God, We Praise Your Name (Live from final concert)

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National Catholic Youth Choir : Doxology

Review: The National Catholic Youth Choir sings sacred masterpieces from Gregorian chant to newly-written pieces. "Doxology" was commissioned for the choir from Kevin Vogt for the 2000 premier season. It interweaves Latin doxology with English liturgical texts. Other selections include "A Maiden Most Gentle," by Andrew Carter, "Panis Angelicus," by Cesar Frank and "Tu Es Petrus," by Maurice Durufle. This highly select group of singers is conducted by Dr. Axel Theimer and accompanied by Michelle Plombon.

Songlist: Comments by Timothy Kelly, O.S.B., Abbot of St. John's Abbey, Doxology (Kevin Vogt), Ave Maria (Hail Mary) (Louis Vierne), A Maiden Most Gentle (Andrew Carter), Salve Regina (Hail, Holy Queen) (Franz Schubert), O Lieber Herre Gott (O Gracious Lord God) (Heinrich Schutz), Ave Verum Corpus (Hail True Body) (Camille Saint-Saens), Strengthen for Service (Healy Willan), Panis Angelicus (Heavenly Bread) (Cesar Franck), Ego Sum Panis Vivus (I Am Living Bread) (Giovanni Palestrina), Tu Es Petrus (You Are Peter) (Maurice Durufle), Give Praise and Thanks (Jane Marshall), Applause, Holy God, We Praise You Name (arr. Donald Busarow), Benedicta Sit Sancta Trinitas (Blest Be The Holy Trinity) (Gregorian Chant)

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