June 25, 2009

Today was another busy day!  After breakfast, the choristers started off with a class about St. Benedict and his life, taught by Fr. Matthew Luft, OSB.  They then had rehearsal for a couple of hours in the choir room before having lunch and heading down to the beach.  It was a gorgeous day for a swim in the lake, and everyone enjoyed themselves, either swimming in the water or just sunning on the dock.  After swimming it was back to rehearsal as well as an organ class with Dr. Kim Kasling, a music professor here at St. John's.  After supper, the choir was fitted for their albs (robes) before rehearsing in the organ studio.  As always, they ended the day with Compline.   

Learning about St. Benedict!	Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate...	...Practice, practice, practice!
Noon Prayer in the Abbey	Noon Prayer	Soaking up some rays!
It's great to have such good friends!	Come on in, the water is fine...	Swimming + singing = nap time
Joking around with Camp Leader Lucas	Becca, Breanna, and Brigid sharing a moment together	Dr. Kasling gives an organ class to the choir
An impressive instrument!	The choristers check it out for themselves	Elizabeth modeling her new alb!
Cecilia rocking out on the piano	Smile!	Spencer is a singer and an athlete
Compline	Girls' Make-over Party!	Another game of "Uno" in the lounge

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