Sounds of Praise and Thanksgiving

Earlier tonight there was a concert celebrating the Music Ministry of Immaculate Conception Church. There were a really nice collection of pieces performed. As it turns out, it really was more of a collection of favourite anthems and motets that the choir has performed at Masses and the like, including their pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi, where they performed a concert, as well as sung for Pope Benedict XVI over the past year.

The choir was accompanied by organ, piano, harp, flutes, woodwinds, brass, and timpani. It was truly a glorious sound.

With that, the program.

Prelude: Suite of Dances (A. Campra)

Magnificat (John Leavitt). This was a lovely setting, IMHO.

Reflection by Molly Grace. She gave a reflection on her involvement with IC's Music Ministry.

Lift Up Your Voice (J. P. Sweenlinck)
Jubilate Deo (W. A. Mozart)
God So Loved the World (J. Stainer)
Alleluia (R. Thompson)

Reflection by Gabe St. Clair. She spoke of how she experienced a lot of personal and spiritual growth through her involvement with the choir.

"Selections from Triddum and Easter 2008"
Four Selections by G. F. Handel:
Behold the Lamb of God
"Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs"
And With His Stripes We Are Healed
Hallelujah Chorus

Three Days (THAXTED; M. D. Ridge/J. Honoré)

Musical Intermission: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (J. S. Bach; piano and harp)

Performed by the IC Chamber Choir:
Alleluia from "Brazilian Alleluia" (J. Berger)
God's Son Has Made Me Free (E. Grieg)
Alleluia! O Praise the Lord Most Holy (BWV 207a; Bach)
Psalm 150: Praise God, Alleluia (T. Hytrek)

Reflection by Greg Miller. I'll have to admit that I don't recall exactly what he talked about.

This next set included the full choir again.

Cantique de Jean Racine (G. Fauré) They sung from the Broude publication, but unfortunately, they did it in English. IMHO, it lost its charm this way.

Choral Reflection on "Amazing Grace" (R. Ames)
This Little Light of Mine (arr. M. Hogan)
The Tree of Life (SHADES MOUNTAIN; K. Lee Scott)

Closing Comments by Brian Eggers, Director of Music, Immaculate Conception

When in our music God is glorified (ENGELBERG; arr. F. P. Green)