September 2, 2009

Sacred music featured in upcoming concerts, workshops

In the next few weeks, a number of music workshops and concerts will take place in the Denver Archdiocese. 

Father Joncas to conduct workshop in Denver
Noted composer Father Jan Michael Joncas, S.L.D., will be conducting an informational two-day workshop this month at the John Paul II Center, sponsored by the Archdiocesan Office of Liturgy and Music Committee.  Among the many topics to be discussed by Father Joncas will be the new Roman Missal, spiritual formation of music ministers and the impact of music on the liturgy.  The workshop is geared for priests, deacons, pastoral musicians and liturgists but anyone interested may attend.
Ordained in 1980 as a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis, Father Joncas serves as assistant professor of theology and teaching fellow in Catholic studies at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn.  He is the author of three books, has written more than 100 articles and has composed and arranged 200 pieces of liturgical music including “On Eagles Wings.”
Pre-registration is required for the Sept. 11-12 workshop. The John Paul II Center is located at 1300 S. Steele St., Denver.  There is a special $25 registration fee that includes both days if paid by Sept. 4, otherwise the fee is $15 per day. Workshop hours are 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Space is limited. To register, contact John Miller in the Office of Liturgy, 303-715-3156, or by e-mail at john.miller@archden.org.

Concert at Holy Ghost Church
This year, the Oblates of the Virgin Mary are celebrating the 250th anniversary of their founder Father Pio Bruno Lanteri.  In the Archdiocese of Denver, the Oblates serve at Holy Ghost Parish, and to help celebrate the anniversary, a sacred concert will be held at 7 p.m. Sept.15 in the church, 1900 California St. in Denver. Oblate Father Pierre Paul, director of music at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, will conduct Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” accompanied by scriptural meditations.  The public is invited to be part of this musical event followed by a reception in the church hall.  Free-will donations will be accepted. In addition to the concert, Oblates at the Lanteri Center and Holy Ghost Church will be offering a series of days of recollection in the coming year to promote the Lanterian spirit.  The five retreat days are Sept. 19, Nov. 11, Feb. 7, March 7 and April 24.  On these days the mercy, ecclesial fidelity and apostolic zeal that were part of Father Lanteri will be explored.  For more information on the retreat days, call the parish office at 303-292-1556.

Bilingual concert and
workshop in Aurora
Queen of Peace Church will be the site for both a bilingual English and Spanish concert and workshop by composer, arranger and performer Jaime Cortez.  An accomplished musician, Cortez plays piano, guitar and several other stringed instruments such as the charango, vihuela and bass guitar. At 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 he’ll be conducting a bilingual community concert in the great room at the church, 13120 E. Kentucky Ave. in Aurora. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 26, Cortez will conduct a Spanish-language musician’s workshop in the same location.  A free-will offering will be accepted for the concert but there is a $25 per person fee (including lunch) for the workshop.  For more information, call at 303-364-8359.