Music—Communication

Van Quinn, Organist-Choirmaster

To the Trinity be praise!
God is music, God is life
that nurtures every creature in its kind.
Our God is the song of the angel throng
and the splendor of secret ways
Hid from humankind,
But God our life is the life of all.

Hildegard of Bingen

One of my more inelegant precepts in work with the Junior Choir (repeated in rehearsals almost like a versicle/response or a mantra) is: If you want something to come out of your mouth, you have to open it! Similarly, if you want people to know and understand what you're doing and, perhaps, participate in it, you have to tell them. Much thought and work has been put into the ongoing task of communication both within and outside the parish in recent years. Noteworthy in this regard have been the tireless efforts of communications coordinator, Vivian Varner, and websexton, Barbara Tolin Rowan. Over the last two years we have intensified our efforts to publicize our music program and to deepen the parish's understanding of sacred music, its role in the liturgical life of our parish, and its role in the formation of a Christian life. These communications have taken many forms: article in Cross Roads, notes in Crossings, newspaper articles, paid newspaper advertisements, posters, listings on the “Classical Voice of North Carolina” website (cvnc.org), email lists, and others.

This fall we have added another, a music page accessible through the parish's website, www.thechapelofthecross.org/music. Nathaniel Quinn has done a great job constructing the site. When you click on “Music” you will get a picture of our organ console but with a handful of very large stops. Click on the 'stops' to access the specific pages which may be of interest to you. These are the choices. “Music” will get you to a general introduction to the site. “Choirs” will give you a detailed description of our five choirs as well as instructions about participation in them. “Bach's Lunch” will tell you what that is and provide a listing of the recitals for the current semester. “Schedules” will provide information about the semester schedules for each of the choirs and the 5:15 p.m. organists, together with changes and additions to them. “Music Lists” will provide a list of all music performed at the 11:15 a.m. Sunday services and at special services, such as Evensong. Initially these listings will be for the current month but eventually will offer a detailed prospectus of music to be offered for the entire year. “Compline” offers a detailed description of that service and an invitation to worship at it. “Musical Events” describes upcoming musical services or concerts. “Organist” gives biographical information and pictures of our music staff. “Church Organ” gives a detailed description and the specifications of the great Kleuker organ in the church. “Essays” contains a number of essays written by me for Cross Roads. A number of people have asked if these could be made available in a handy format, so here they are. “Recording” is under construction until there is something concrete to talk about. “Chapel Organ Proposal” awaits pending finalization of the design of a new organ for the chapel which we hope will be available soon.