National Catholic Youth Choir Convenes, June 2011

A press release from the National Catholic Youth Choir

MEDIA RELEASE

For Release: Immediate Contact: Dorothy Kantor
Saint John’s University School of Theology
September 28, 2010 (320) 363-3154 or dkantor@csbsju.edu

“One Lord, Many Traditions”
National Catholic Youth Choir

The National Catholic Youth Choir was founded in 2000 and has just finished its eleventh season. The choir is sponsored by Saint John’s School of Theology•Seminary and meets on the grounds of Saint John’s Abbey and University in Collegeville, Minnesota. It began under the motto Spreading the Catholic Faith Through Great Music as a response to the call of Pope John Paul II for a “new evangelization.” The choir sings music of various Christian traditions, ranging from medieval Gregorian chant to twentieth-century music and is led by world renowned choral conductor, Dr. Axel Theimer. Fr. Anthony Ruff, O.S.B., a monk of Saint John’s abbey, is the founding director and chaplain. The primary focus of the choir is liturgical, and the choir seeks to implement the directive of Vatican Council II that the “treasury of sacred music” be preserved and fostered in the modern liturgy.
On June 15, 2010 selected high school students from throughout the United States traveled to Saint John’s University to participate in the 15 day camp and tour. This year’s theme was One Lord, Many Traditions. Promoting the idea that what unites us is greater than what divides us! We celebrated the many ways of praising God and serving Christ with music from Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Mennonite, Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, Moravian Brethren and Evangelical traditions.
After several days of intense choir rehearsals and camp activities the choir departed Saint John’s and began their concert tour at Sacred Heart Church in Staples, MN. The six day tour also included concerts at St. Michael’s in Grand Forks, ND, the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Bismarck, ND, Sacred Heart Church in Aberdeen, SD, St. Mary’s in Sioux Falls, SD and St. Bartholomew in Wayzata, MN. Daily tour and camp photos are available on our website at www.CatholicYouthChoir.org.
The last full day of camp the choir recorded a CD at Saint John’s University. This CD will be available to the general public for purchase after October 15. Please check our website after this date for ordering information.
Catholic youth going into 10th-12th grade in 2011 are strongly encouraged to apply for the June 14-28, 2011 program. Application and audition information is available online at www.CatholicYouthChoir.org or contact Dorothy Kantor at 320-363-3154 or dkantor@csbsju.edu.