July 1, 2009

Today was the first "official" day of tour for NCYC 2009.  They began the day as usual with prayer and breakfast, and then went to Mass at Emmaus Chapel, with special intentions for the choir and the impending tour.  After Mass, the choir went and rehearsed in the Great Hall one last time before departing.  NCYC left St. John's in the early afternoon and headed to their second concert destination, Divine Mercy Catholic Church, in Faribault, MN.  After the concert, the choristers met their host families, who took them in for the night.

Hanging out in Emmaus Library before Mass	Marissa cantors at Mass in Emmaus Chapel	Receiving the Precious Blood
"Take this, all of you, and drink from it..."	One last rehearsal before heading off on tour	Christ watching over the NCYC
They are so prepared for tour, it's not even funny!	"Can we go yet?"	Prayer before the concert in Faribault
Singing "Canticum novum" from the balcony	The same shot from below--impressive!	A beautiful space for singing
Enjoying taking their music on the road	Emma sings her wonderful solo
	Jamie takes her turn at solo singing	The entire choir--a formidable group of singers!
Cecilia sings her graceful "Ave Maria"	Ashley blows everyone away with Mozart's "Alleluia"
A successful concert is concluded with "Holy God"

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.  The program takes place each summer on the beautiful wooded grounds of Saint John's Abbey and University in central Minnesota.  What is unique about the National Catholic Youth Choir is its liturgical focus.  The singers learn about the Catholic liturgy and how the treasury of sacred music (Gregorian chant, Palestrina, Mozart, Bruckner, Poulenc, Duruflé...) fits in Catholic worship today.  The choir also sings contemporary and newly-written music, some of it specially commissioned for the NCYC.

© 2009 National Catholic Youth Choir

Saint John's Abbey and University,

Collegeville, Minnesota 56321

For further information, contact the choir founder and chaplain,

Fr. Anthony Ruff, OSB
 

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Last updated on 13 April 2010