Event will mark Bishop Conley’s 10th anniversary as ordinary
By Mary Kroner
LINCOLN (SNR) – On Sunday, Nov. 20 at 7:30 p.m., Cathedral of the Risen Christ will host a concert to celebrate the Eucharistic Revival and Bishop James Conley’s 10th anniversary as Bishop of Lincoln.
The concert is entitled, “Give Glory to God,” and will feature a choir of 60 voices from across the diocese, five brass, four strings, one organ, and three choir directors from Lincoln parishes.
Amy Flamminio, choir director at the Cathedral, said the idea came together as she, Cathedral’s organist David Schmidt, and Cathedral’s pastor Msgr. Thomas Fucinaro met to plan ways to foster appreciation for sacred music in the parish and diocese.
The choice of a Eucharistic theme seemed natural to the three planners as the Cathedral choir helped to open the diocesan celebration of the nationwide Eucharistic Revival by singing at the Corpus Christi Mass and procession in June.
Flamminio reflected on the power of music and its relation to Eucharistic devotion.
“We know Jesus sang at the First Eucharist, the Last Supper, since singing the Psalms was part of the Jewish Passover Meal,” she explained. “Since the Last Supper, people throughout the centuries have been moved to worship the Eucharist through music and song. So often, music is the only way to truly express our deepest emotions!”
Roughly an hour in length, the concert repertoire has been selected from the musical tradition of Christendom which spans across centuries. The selections chosen focus on praising God for His goodness and the gift of the Eucharist.
Among the pieces to be performed is William Byrd’s Ave Verum Corpus, which will be directed by Amy Johnson from St. Teresa Parish in Lincoln. Translated, the title means, “Hail, True Body,” which honors the True Presence and ends with a prayer, “O sweet Jesus... have mercy on me.”
Other pieces include, Cry Out with Joy, which will be directed by the piece’s composer Kevin Hanrahan from St. Joseph Parish in Lincoln, and Herbert Howells’ Gloucester Service: Magnificat, which is a piece Flammino said is particularly inspiring with its setting of the Blessed Mother’s prayer in Luke’s Gospel.
The highlight of the event will be Vivaldi’s Gloria, a work that gives listeners a whole range of sound from the glorious opening movement with full choir singing “Gloria!” to the softer movements of solos and duets praising God and praying for His mercy.
Flamminio said, “As our concert takes place on the Solemnity of Christ the King and the end of our liturgical year, it is a perfect day to make the church ring out with all the voices glorifying Him.”
The concert coincides with Bishop Conley’s 10th anniversary as Bishop of Lincoln, so it will couple as a celebration of his anniversary. He plans to speak briefly at the concert, and also offer a brief reflection for the musicians at their rehearsal the day before.
In addition to the immediate reasons for hosting the concert, Flamminio said she hopes there will be lasting benefits for the community.
“It gives singers from many parishes a chance to come together for community and fellowship, prayer, and a performance experience that will make memories to last a lifetime,” she said.
David Schmidt added, “Many years ago, the Cathedral had a concert series called Musica Sacra, which has since ceased to exist, but we are hoping that this first concert in November will be a revival of that program and that we can make it an annual affair.”
All are invited to ‘give glory to God’ by attending the concert and listening to sacred music performed by talented musicians. Free-will donations will be collected to help cover the cost of the event and help fund future Cathedral arts endeavors.
