Thursday, July 06, 2006
Theme Song: Chanters Need Not Apply
From CNS today:
The general secretariat of the International Eucharistic Congress has invited musical composers to submit entries for the congress' theme song. The theme song is meant to create a musical identification for the congress before, during and after the gathering to be held in Quebec City in 2008, the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec City.
Fair enough. Lots of musical commissions pop up in the Church.
Contestants have until Aug. 15 to register; then conference organizers will release the song's lyrics to the registered composers. According to the congress' Web site -- www.cei2008.ca/pages-en/index.htm -- the theme song is to promote communion, to dignify and animate the celebrations and "enrich the repertoire of eucharistic song."
This might be worthwhile, however, then I caught the requirements.
The composition is to have four-part harmony suitable for a parish choir and organ accompaniment.
Obviously, this is a one-shot deal and doesn't reflect the whole of Catholic repertoire, but one would think that plainsong plus organ would have a shot. Or perhaps chant is not quite in the state of revival many musicians are trumpeting these days. Anyway, submit your application by e-mail or snail-mail:
Application forms are available on the Web site or by e-mail to: liturgie@cei2008.ca. Registrations also may be sent to: Secretariat General of the 49th International Eucharistic Congress, Attn: Abbe Louis-Andre Naud, 1073 boul. Rene-Levesque Ouest, Quebec City, Quebec, G1S 4R5, Canada.
Probably bi-lingual English-French, don't you think? 
