Saint Martin’s presents 10th annual Sacred Music Concert
October 8, 2012
LACEY, WASHINGTON — Members of the Saint Martin’s University Chorale
will lift their voices in two free public programs of sacred music,
poetry and readings Saturday, Oct. 20 and Sunday, Oct. 21. The annual
performances, which celebrate All Saints Day and the Feast of Saint
Martin of Tours, the University’s patron saint, will take place at Saint
Martin’s Abbey Church, 5000 Abbey Way SE. The Saturday performance begins
at 7:30 p.m., and the Sunday performance at 2:30 p.m. Doors open 15 minutes
earlier. No reservations are necessary.
The University’s 75-member mixed chorus will perform in collaboration with
Campus Ministry. During the performance, musical selections will be
interspersed with Biblical scripture readings and inspirational selections
given by Campus Ministry.
“It is truly a privilege to be part of such a wonderful and long-standing
celebration of our heritage,” says Chorale Director Darrell Born, associate
professor of music at Saint Martin’s. “As a joint project of the University’s
Department of Music and Campus Ministry, it heightens the sense of community
that is integral to the Benedictine philosophy guiding the University.”
An added element to this year’s concert is the 400th year anniversary
celebration of Giovanni Gabrieli, an Italian composer and organist who died in
1612. Rebecca Edwards, Ph.D., visiting professor of music and a Giovanni
specialist, will conduct a short presentation on the composer’s life’s work
before the Chorale performs his Beata Es Virgo piece. The American Legion Band
will also play a Gabrieli piece titled Sonata Per Pian’e Forte.
The Order of Saint Benedict, which established Saint Martin’s, was founded by
Saint Benedict of Nursia, Italy, in the early 500s. The Order is governed by “The
Rule of Saint Benedict,” a document that commends maintaining a balance of prayer,
work and study. The Rule also stresses the Christian and monastic virtues of
community, hospitality and stability.
Saint Martin of Tours, the University’s patron saint, lived earlier—in the early
fourth century. A Roman soldier, he converted to Christianity and left military
service. He became a monk, and eventually bishop of Tours, France. Saint Martin is
known for his service to the poor and for establishing Christian monasticism in western
Europe.
For more information about the concerts, contact Jonathan Dwyer, director of campus
ministry, 360-412-6152 or jdwyer@stmartin.edu.
Saint Martin’s University is an independent four-year, coeducational university
located on a 380-acre wooded campus in Lacey, Washington. Established in 1895 by the
Catholic Order of Saint Benedict, the University is one of 14 Benedictine colleges
and universities in the United States and Canada, and the only one west of the Rocky
Mountains. Saint Martin’s University prepares students for successful lives through
its 23 majors and seven graduate programs spanning the liberal arts, business, education,
nursing and engineering. Saint Martin’s welcomes more than 1,100 undergraduate students
and 375 graduate students from many ethnic and religious backgrounds to its main campus,
and 300 more undergraduate students to its extension campuses located at Joint Base
Lewis-McChord and Centralia College. Visit the Saint Martin’s University website at
www.stmartin.edu.
For additional information:
Jonathan Dwyer
Director of Campus Ministry
360-412-6152; jdwyer@stmartin.edu
Sarah Holdener
Director of Community Relations and Event Management
Office of Marketing and Communications
Saint Martin’s University
360-412-6140; sholdener@stmartin.edu