Video from the Pittsburgh Colloquium!

CMAA Colloquium XX 2010 from Corpus Christi Watershed on Vimeo.

In addition, the audio recordings are all available [...]

Our music is a tabernacle

At the Colloquium last week, one of the priests mentioned the relationship between sacred music and worship in his homily.  He said something which was quite interesting, that I’ll attempt to paraphrase as best I can:

“Our music is the tabernacle, the means of delivery of the Word to the faithful.”

This is a fascinating idea, that the [...]

3:00 AM?

Yesterday was a challenge!

Up at 3:00AM, to drive to Denver, grab a flight.  Then hang around in Milwaukee for 4 hours, and finally on to Pittsburgh.  OK, that’s enough whining.

Meeting up with all my great Colloquium buddies was wonderful, as expected.  I started out tired, but when we got to singing … heaven!  It’s just such [...]

Anybody want Colloquium recordings?

If you want the audio recordings from the 2008 or 2009 Sacred Music Colloquiums in Chicago, drop me an email.  They’re available on the website at music.dierschow.com/2008Colloquium and music.dierschow.com/2009Colloquium, but the recordings are pretty huge if you want to download ALL of them.

I’ll also be making recordings next week of Colloquium XX in Pittsburg, so let [...]

A test of faith

For the third time now, we pulled together all the chant choirs from the parishes in Fort Collins to do a single Mass.  Or in this case, two: one at my home parish, and one next Sunday at the most traditional church building in town.

I’m glad that this one wasn’t the first time we got together, [...]

Teaching using the Ward Method

There was an interesting piece on a local news channel about a teacher at the University of Northern Colorado who uses the Ward Method to successfully teach music.  I haven’t met her yet, although I’ve been interested to attend one of her workshops.

The reason for mentioning it here is that our chant schola is featured – [...]

Christus resurrexit!

I absolutely love this time of year.  Easter is a chance for a deep spiritual renewal – in so many ways.

I’m heavily involved with the RCIA program in our parish, which builds toward the Night of All Nights that we just experienced yesterday.  A three hour Mass brings into clear focus how we are to act as believers, and to help others on their paths toward redemption.

Continue reading Christus resurrexit!

Chant and Harp!

I had a chance to sing in a Compline service last night at Blessed John XXIII parish in Fort Collins, Colorado.  What really made this special was the addition of a talented local harpist, Alaina Bongers.

I managed to capture the recordings, which you can find here on my website.  Check it out!

It just goes to show [...]

Rachmaninoff Vespers!

This evening, my wife and I had a chance to attend a concert of the Larimer Chorale, our local and extremely talented choral group based in Fort Collins.  The program was Rachmaninoff’s Vespers (All-Night Vigil), Opus 37.

Sung entirely in Russian, it was an amazing experience!  And more unexpected – a capella!

Continue reading Rachmaninoff Vespers!

A long strange path!

My wife and I had a chance to go to a local Amy Grant concert Friday night.  This was a benefit for Lutheran Family Services, and included a limo ride down to Denver, and a meet-and-greet with Amy after the show.

It was a truly fantastic evening, in so many ways.

Continue reading A long strange path!