July 2, 2009

The second day of tour was both educational and spiritual for the choristers.  Departing from Faribault, the choir headed east to Owatonna, MN, where they visited the old Minnesota State School for Dependent and Neglected Children.  There, they heard from a former State School child, now in his eighty's, about his experiences there.  The choir also toured the cottage where he had once lived.  They then departed the State School for Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in La Crosse, WI.  After receiving a tour of the beautiful church, the choristers went off on their own to go on the Rosary Walk and see the votive chapel.  The NCYC then sang their third concert at the church during the evening.

July 2 Photos

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