Print Issue: October 31, 2002

New Archdiocesan Festival Choir to Form; Plans to Present Twynham's 'Magnificat'

ATLANTA - For many years music ministry leaders from around the archdiocese have talked about a seemingly unreachable dream, an Archdiocesan Choir. And for years the sheer size of the archdiocese and the sizeable time commitment already put upon its music ministers invariably proved to be obstacles too great to overcome.

But over the last few months, in spite of the constraints of time and distance, a group of music ministry leaders from Peachtree City to Kennesaw, from Duluth to downtown Atlanta (and many points in between) have been talking about how to get such a project going.

"It's been a challenge to find a place and a time where a few of us could get together," said Holy Trinity (Peachtree City) music minister Claire Stroud. "When a few of us could get together we would, and we, in turn, would talk with a few others and keep in touch via e-mail, and after awhile the discussions had touched over 20 parishes."

"The need and benefits for such a choir seems to be found in the same things that have kept us apart," said Christ the King contemporary ensemble musician Elyn Macek. "The fact that we are so far apart and that we all are working and celebrating at the same time rarely gives us the opportunity to get together to share ideas, music and fellowship . . . sometimes we all feel pretty isolated. Getting together and sharing our love of music with other music ministers from around our archdiocese would really be an invigorating and energizing thing." she said.

Nila Alexander from St. Catherine's in Kennesaw remembers the choir that was formed for the late Archbishop Eugene Marino's installation at the Atlanta Civic Center in 1988. "One hundred and fifty or 200 of us from all over the archdiocese gathered on several Saturday mornings, and you never heard such a glorious sound. I would love to have that opportunity again. I met people from parishes I never even knew existed, sang with them and have remained friends ever since . . . time and distance are tough barriers to overcome, but it sure is worth it."

Kevin Johnson from Our Lady of Lourdes concurs that the historic barriers of distance, culture and style have played a part in each parish's isolation. "Sometimes it seems we are these immovable mountains, and it's proved to be very difficult to get these mountains to move together very often, but in music there is always plenty of common ground to stand on."

The inaugural performance of this talented group of musicians, under the capable direction of Wayne Baughman, music director from St. Benedict Parish in Duluth, will be in May 2003. Robert Twynham's stunningly beautiful Magnificat will be performed by the choir at Holy Trinity Church in Peachtree City, and at Holy Family Church in Marietta. These venues were chosen because of their size, acoustics, the presence of pipe organs that could handle the nature of the piece, and the desire to give a wider number of people access to the experience in two different locales.

"It is hoped that this project can gather enthusiasm throughout the archdiocese; it is truly not just a case of one choir adding a few extra voices and holding forth in their usual setting," said Kevin Culver, choirmaster at Christ the King. "The choir will be a product of the archdiocese and will represent the church of Atlanta in all its wonderful diversity."

Because of space constraints at the hosting churches the size of the group will be limited. In an effort to manage the size of the choir, and to ensure a balanced ensemble, the choir will, by necessity, be auditioned. Music ministers throughout the archdiocese have been contacted and have been encouraged to invite all parishioners and current liturgical musicians in their parishes to take part in the project.

Open auditions will be held at the Cathedral of Christ the King on Saturday, Nov. 9 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The format for all auditions will be the same - a verse of "Amazing Grace," some scales and vocalizations to determine voice part and a brief sight reading check. Rehearsals will be held on the fourth Saturday each month from January to April and then there will be two dress rehearsals in May prior to the performances on May 17 and 18.

Interested singers should contact their music ministers for more information or call Kevin Culver at (404) 233-2145, ext.468 to arrange an audition.