Catholic youth choir to perform at Saint Benedict's Monastery and Saint John's Abbey and University Church
June 16, 2017
The National Catholic Youth Choir (NCYC), which is celebrating its 18th season, will make appearances June 22 at Saint Benedict’s Monastery and June 25 at the Saint John’s Abbey and University Church.
The choir will sing at a prayer service at 7 p.m. and perform a concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 22, at Sacred Heart Chapel, Saint Benedict’s Monastery. The choir concludes its tour by singing at the 10:30 a.m. Mass Sunday, June 25, at Saint John’s Abbey and University Church.
Other tour stops include a concert at 7 p.m. Friday, June 23, at the Abbey of the Hills Inn and Retreat Center in Marvin, South Dakota; at the 5 p.m. Mass June 24 at the Basilica of Saint Mary, Minneapolis; and a concert at 8 p.m. June 24 at Providence Academy, Plymouth, Minnesota.
The choir consists of 26 high school students representing Minnesota, South Dakota, Louisiana, California, Michigan, Ohio, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin. They will gather at the campus of Saint John’s University beginning on June 17, under the direction of André Heywood.
The 2017 theme, in honor of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, is “God’s Word Abides Forever.”
The choir will perform selections from different eras and genres, including Gregorian Chant; “In the Beginning” by Haydn; “Sicut Cervus” by Palestrina; and “Our Mighty Fortress is Our God.” Songs will also be performed from composers Michael Joncas, John Rutter, CSB/SJU Academic Dean Karen Erickson and the Collegeville Composers Group.
Chorister selection took place in early April and was based on written application, auditions and references.
The public is invited to view daily camp and concert tour photos posted on the choir’s website beginning June 19.
There is no charge to attend the concerts; a free will offering will be collected to help cover some of the camp and touring costs. Visit the website to make an online donation. For more information, or to host a future concert, contact the NCYC office.