2016-2017 EVENTS Hosted by the Ministry of Music Church of St. Francis Xavier Robert VerEcke, SJ ~ Pastor John Uehlein ~ Director of Music Ministries
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 18 TH AT 6:30pm VOX CLAMANTIS Vox Clamantis comprises musicians with different background singers, composers, instrumentalists and conductors who share a common interest in the Gregorian chant, early polyphony and contemporary music. Many Estonian composers among them Arvo Pärt, Helena Tulve and Erkki-Sven Tüür have written for Vox Clamantis. The artistic director and conductor of Vox Clamantis Jann-Eik Tulve graduated from Tallinn Conservatory in 1991. Many of the recordings he has made with the choir have received great critical acclaim (Diapason d Or). Jaan-Eik Tulve has been awarded the Order of the White Star of the Republic of Estonia, the Order of Léopold of the Kingdom of Belgium and the Order of Arts and Letters of the French Republic. Directed by Jaan-Eik Tulve, who sees precise blending as the foundation for purposeful singing, Vox Clamantis adds subtlest gold leafing to the program s Marian repertoire. Remarkable in this regard is the use of overtone singing, an unlikely technique begotten through the spirit of improvisation during rehearsal. 2
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 25 TH 2:30PM 3:30PM CONCERT TO END GUN VIOLENCE FEATURING XAVIER MUSICIANS, READERS AND FRIENDS Co-hosted by the Xavier Music Ministry, the Interfaith Committee, the Peace and Justice Committee and Xavier Parishioners, we will participate in the Concert Across America, a series of live events from coast to coast in honor of the victims of gun violence in America. Performers include John Uehlein, the SFX Choir, Ralph Martin, Diane Lisanti, Elda Luisi, Tom Flood, Luz Marina Diaz, the Xavier Players, Jim Fox and others. SUNDAY OCTOBER 16 TH AT 2:30PM GAIL ARCHER MAX REGER: THE LAST ROMANTIC (1873-1916) Gail Archer will be performing on our 62 rank Peragallo Organ, Opus 700 built in 2010. The program is music of Max Reger. Reger was a Roman Catholic, but his powerful organ literature embraces both Gregorian Chant melodies and chorale tunes from the Lutheran tradition. 3
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4 TH & 5 TH AT 7:30pm SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6 TH 2:30pm CABARET THOSE WERE THE DAYS Songs of yesteryear, spoofs on what life used to be like, nostalgia, humour and old time favorites, with a few surprises at just the right moments, populate this celebration of our parish and of humanity at large. New singers and former singers coming from all walks of the parish will delight our senses with song, grace and humor. Parishioners from Pastoral Council to rear of the church Catholics will be performing. And our surprise sing along at the end is sure to send you into the joy this cabaret has become known for. Joined by our consummate professional director Paul Michael and musical director Brad Ross, this year s show looks to be a winner. Seating is limited for the cabaret, so be sure to buy your ticket ahead of time! SUGGESTED DONATION $20 4
SUNDAY DECEMBER 18 TH 7:00pm LESSONS AND CAROLS: SHARING THE JOY! THE ST. FRANCIS XAVIER MUSICIANS AND LECTORS Come celebrate the season with the community for an evening of contemporary readings and traditional carols. Under the direction of John Uehlein, the choir, the bell choir, the instrumentalists, the Family Faith Choir under the direction of Anne Holland and the dance ensemble will present an eclectic blend from World Music to Gospel to Classical, including many of our favorite Christmas Carols. Our amazing lectors will be gracing us with readings encompassing verse, prose, scripture and narrative. And don t forget the Christmas cookie reception afterwards! FREE WILL OFFERING 5
FRIDAY & SATURDAY FEBRUARY 3 RD & 4 TH 7:30pm TRIAL OF THE CATONSVILLE NINE A PLAY BY DANIEL BERRIGAN, S.J Daniel Joseph Berrigan, S.J. (May 9, 1921 April 30, 2016), was an American Jesuit priest, anti-war activist, and poet who talks about the culture of war along with the hope for a new tomorrow, a new Jerusalem. In this staged reading, we can revisit and pay tribute to the Catonsville Nine, Catholic activists who in 1968 burned 378 draft files to protest the Vietnam War. In the poetry of this play, we will beautifully hear the horror of what Daniel Berrigan sees when he talks bout the interlocking directorate of death that binds the whole culture as well as his hope for a peaceful world. 6 Photo credits: Bob Fitch Photography Archive, Department of Special Collections, Stanford University (Dan Berrigan images); Jean S. Walsh (Group photo).
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 26 TH 2:30pm AN AFTERNOON AT THE XAVIER SALON Ladd Boris, Alexander Grant, Marti Holmes, Joe Palarca, HaQuyen Pham, John Uehlein and Anna Zhukovskaya will be serenading our community with the poetry and music of the great art song literature of all time. From Schubert, Mahler and Strauss to Leonard Bernstein, aria and song will be the afternoon fare. Come and enjoy the recreation of a 19th Century Salon Repast. Sidney Marquez Boquiren will accompany at the piano and Juilliard Master Clinician Arlene Shrut will direct the project. TUESDAY MARCH 28 th 7:30pm DANIEL ROTH ORGANIST Daniel Roth is Titular Organist at St. Suplice in Paris. He has been widely acclaimed as one of the leading French organ virtuosos, and has held several prestigious positions as an artist and teacher. Daniel Roth has won several competitions, among them the Grand Prix de Chartres in 1971 for both interpretation and improvisation. His strong technique the wild character of his improvisations as well as his accomplished knowledge of harmony have rightly impressed the audience. 7
FRIDAY MAY 5 TH AT 7:30pm ST. AGNES CATHEDRAL CHOIRS OF THE DIOCESE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE DIRECTED BY MICHAEL L. BOWER The Choirs of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, Long Island, under the direction of Michael Bower will fill our church with great sacred music from all ages highlighting such composers as Byrd and Tallis, Bach, Handel and Mozart through to John Rutter. With the founding of the Diocese in 1957, the Choir of Men and Boys was established and the group performed with Leonard Bernstein at the Opening of the Kennedy Center, Washington D.C. In 1980, women s voices were added to the singing ensembles of the Cathedral, and this group (The Chorale) has performed such masterworks as Beethoven s Symphony No. 9, and Mahler s Symphony No. 2. 8
MONDAY JUNE 19 TH AT 7:30pm SINGING US HOME: ANNE HOLLAND, ORIGINAL AND SACRED SONGS Anne Holland performs original and sacred songs with her husband and trumpet player, Jim Hynes. Please join us for an evening of rich and inspiring music by some of the city s best musicians. 9
THE XAVIER COMPANY The Xavier Company is an ecumenical Christian theater company with the mission of proclaiming the gospel and exploring themes of spirituality and social justice through the performing arts. SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 10 TH AT 7:30pm WHOM SHALL I SEND Whom Shall I Send is a musical drama written by J.S. Pecorella with musical selections by Laurence Rosania, Michael Ward and others. The play depicts the spiritual journey of Peter, John, Mary Magdalene, Paul & Lydia. It is a story of faith, love and friendship SATURDAY MARCH 11 TH AT 7:30pm NO GREATER LOVE No Greater Love is a musical passion play written by Janeen Stevens with musical selections by Michael Ward, Gerard DeMan and others. The play depicts the passion, death and resurrection of Christ in drama, music and dance. 10
THE MISSION STATEMENT OF THE CHURCH OF ST. FRANCIS XAVIER The Church of St. Francis Xavier, a Roman Catholic parish in the Jesuit tradition, strives to be a prophetic, welcoming community, and an inclusive witness to the presence of Christ Jesus in our midst. Mindful of our utter reliance on God, and need for God s grace, we rejoice together in our celebration of the sacraments and proclamation of the Gospel. As a people of hope, we commit ourselves through prayerful and creative discernment to respond to God in our time by: Being a respectful community Where seekers and their questions are welcomed, Where injustice is challenged, Where the poor, the alienated and the marginalized find a home, And where people are refreshed, reconciled and renewed. Adopted by the Community at Prayer Rededication Weekend June 19-20, 2010
For further information please call John Uehlein, Director of Music Ministries 212-627-2100, ext 202 or Juehlein@sfxavier.org Church of St. Francis Xavier 46 West 16th Street (between 5th & 6th Avenues) Wheelchair accessible 55 W. 15th Street