July 3, 2009

The third day of tour was a day of fun as well as service for the choir.  They left the Shrine and went to Melrose, WI, where they rented canoes and paddled down the Black River for several miles, having a picnic lunch along the way.  They then went back to La Crosse and sang at the Salvation Army Center during lunch and at St. Rose Convent of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.  They also received a tour of the gorgeous chapel there, where the Sisters have been adoring the Blessed Sacrament continuously for over 100 years!  After supper, it was off to Tomah, WI to check-in to a hotel. 

Ready for some fun!		Scottie was born to canoe
Heading off into the Wisconsin wilderness...	Admiring nature's beauty	Passing the time by doing each other's hair
Michael and Will are bus buddies!	And so are these two!	Nick and Clare enjoying the ride
The massive St. Rose Convent chapel in La Crosse	Touring the chapel	Praising God through song
The choir raises their voices to God in thanksgiving!	"Serve the Lord with Gladness!"	Rendering New Songs of Celebration
A side view of the choir from above	Sacred Songs in a Sacred Space	Becca and Kathryn provide accompaniment
Stained glass windows made in Bavaria	Simply breath-taking	Ava, Taylor, Alyssa and Olivia hang out after the concert
Visiting with the Sisters

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