June 22, 2009

Arrival Day

Welcome to Saint John's, NCYC 2009! Everyone arrived safely and on time this afternoon.  The mercury was high, just like our enthusiasm to kick off another season of great music!  Camp began with a prayer service in the Abbey Church Baptistery with Abbot John Klassen, followed by dinner at the Refectory.  Then it was off to work for our first rehearsal with Dr. Theimer.  The evening concluded with ice-breakers, group discussion, and Compline, a form of night prayer.

Pre-camp chilling at the dorm!	Opening Prayer Service	Abbot John and Fr. Anthony welcoming the choristers
Opening Prayer Service	Dinner...	...yum!
Off to first rehearsal!	Dr. Theimer imparting his wisdom	First rehearsal
Fr. Matthew welcoming the choristers	"If you like singing...RUN!"	"Wait, that's me!"
Having a good time	"Nice to meet you...	...Are you my partner?"
Partners at last!	Group discussion	Compline, sung night prayer

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