Submitted by Saint Martin’s University
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 titledSonata 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. SaintMartin’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.
