Music, Culture and Christianity in the Apollinare Basilica

Coming all the way from Des Plaines, Illinois, The Willows Academy Chamber Choir provided a respite for the 2010 UNIV Congress participants from the intense intellectual exchange of the previous day, March 30^th. Throughout history, music has always been an excellent means of inculturating the faith. This musical activity was thus very fitting within the framework of the 2010 UNIV Congress, Can Christianity Inspire a Global Culture? 

Karen Wilberg, director of the choir, led a group of sixteen high school students in singing in four voices a beautiful a capella concert, Music for Holy Week, in the Basilica of the Apollinare. The repertoire included Mendelssohn, di Lasso, and several variations of Ave Maria. 

The atmosphere in the Apollinare was one of admiration, silence—surprising due to the large number of people attending the concert—and prayer. The loud applause at the end of the performance resounded in the walls of the basilica. The Willows Academy Chamber Choir also lent their voices to the Apollinare choir during Holy Week, singing with them in the liturgy of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.

Directed by Karen Wilberg, Head of The Willows Academy Fine Arts Department

Programme

Ave Maria - Jacob Arcadelt
Lift Thine Eyes (Elijah) - Felix Mendelssohn
Ave Maria - Katherine Dienes
Vere languores nostros - Antonio Lotti
Ave Maria - Antonio Gabrieli
Fruits of the Selfless Heart - Elizabeth Atkinson
Domine non sum dignus - Thomas Luis da Vittoria
Oculus non vidit - Orlando di Lasso
Ave Maria - Ellen Keating
Jesu, dulcis memoria - Thomas Luis da Vittoria
Ave Maria - Michael Larkin
Adoramus te, Christe - Orlando di Lasso
Nunc Tempus Acceptabile - Paul French
Within Thy House Forever - Daniel Gawthrop