Friday, June 20, 2008

Greetings!

I would like to say a few words about my composition BEATITUDE MASS. Written a few years ago to raise money for organizations that assist the poor and homeless, it has been blessed with several performances in Charlotte NC, San Jose CA, Palo Alto CA, Saratoga CA, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Santa Clara CA, Monterey, CA, and Belmont CA, by various choral organizations. All performances were given as benefit concerts, and thus far, over 60,000 dollars has been raised for different service organizations. The joy in this is that it has been a group effort: so many singers, soloists, musicians, and administrators have come together and
donated their time when possible (or performed for low fees) to make these events happen. In addition to this, the commercial recording (available from the website CDbaby.com) has generated more funds, all of which go to organizations that serve those in need. In these cynical times, it is inspiring to see so many people giving their time and talents to help the cause of the homeless.

10,000 PRESBYTARIANS!
The mass combines the traditional Latin texts with English texts written by my good friend the playwrite Bill Luce, based upon interviews we have done with homeless people. Musically I have attempted to suggest the experience of homelessness with the English texts, juxtaposed with the lofty inspirational feeling of the Latin mass. A special thanks also goes to the conductors: Donna Hill, Leroy Kromm, Frank Brownstead, Barbara Day Turner, and Elaine Rendler; and of course to ECS Publishing, which has assisted us in so many ways, including the publishing of a beautiful edition of the vocal score, and making the instrumental scores and materials available.

There are two versions of the accompaniment- a chamber version for 7 instruments, and an orchestral version. I thought I would never finish the piece, as doing two versions meant that I had to orchestrate it twice! It started to feel like deja vu all over again when I got into the 2nd version, which was the one for full orchestra!

Upcoming performances will be given at the National Association of Pastoral Musicians in the beautiful Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles on August 5, and also at a local chapter of the same group in New Brunswick, NJ; this weekend several movements will be done
as part of the worship service of the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, in San Jose California. I’m told there will be 10,000 Presbyterians (!) at this week-long event, and the service will be given in two locations to accomodate everyone; TWO choirs of 200 voices each will be singing, one at each location. I’m looking forward to a BIG SOUND, with the choirs being directed by Leroy Kromm and Dr. Charlene Archibeque.