17 | www.ndacda.com
What’s in the Folder?
M
y ensemble—the UMary Cappella—has the very specific (and delightful) purpose of singing for Wednesday and Sunday University Masses each and every week as well as prepare for other events, including a new sacred music festival in the Twin Cities area each December. We rehearse M-TH, 3-4:30pm, followed by leading sung vespers each night prior to our daily afternoon Mass.. We have so many things in our folder, all in various stages of development, just like any other choir. I’m happy to share some from each category! With the amount of music we need to have ready, I have several other pieces that we’ve already performed that are good quality "quick wins." Please reach out if you’re interested in knowing others we’ve sung. Each title is hyperlinked to a Spotify recording.
Performed Do Not Be Afraid, by Philip Stopford The students LOVE this piece. More and more every year, students seem to be facing anxiety; this really strikes an important and comforting note. Of course, it may not work for every situation; however we directors are masters of helping students and audiences apply ideas and concepts to understand from their own perspective. Ubi Caritas, by Maurice Durufle A favorite, all-purpose piece…sophisticated and shimmering expressive moments. Set Me as a Seal, by René Clausen A few weeks ago we had the "wedding readings" for Sunday; this was perfect Ave Maria, by Franz Biebl Can you even direct at a Catholic School without doing this piece? O Salutaris Hostia, by G.P. Palestrina Super-accessible Palestrina; homophonic and straight-forward. Available on CPDL. (continued on p. 20)
