July 2, 2008

Seventeenth and Final Day
The final day of NCYC 2008 began just like any other day at St. John's University.  The choristers met outside of the dorm for prayer before heading to the Refectory for breakfast.  After breakfast, the choristers filled out evaluations of NCYC, and then went to the Great Hall to warm up before the Final Concert.  Soon after, the choristers and staff gathered with the choristers' family and friends for the blessing and distribution of Medals of St. Benedict to each chorister.  Then, everyone headed to the Great Hall for the Final Concert of NCYC 2008, which was just as beautiful as all of the rest.  After the concert, there were many tearful goodbyes.  Some went to eat lunch in the Refectory, while others went back to the dorm, gathered their things, and left.  Congratulations to NCYC 2008 on another successful year!  Keep spreading the Catholic Faith wherever you go!  God Bless.

It's hard to say goodbye to good friends	Praying together one last time	Signing programs for Fr. Anthony, Dr. Theimer, and Judy
Warming up for one more concert!	Choristers gathering with family and friends!	Fr. Anthony congratulates NCYC 2008 on a job well done
Camp Leaders Lucas and Molly are publicly recognized for all of their hard work!	Fr. Anthony blesses Medals of St. Benedict	Dr. Theimer and Fr. Anthony distribute Medals
Theo, Rich, and Eric receive their Medals	Two wonderful people spread the Love!	NCYC 2008 makes final preparations for the Final Concert
People of Faith singing wonderfully together	They sound magnificent, especially in the Great Hall!	Dr. Theimer cracks a joke while introducing a piece
The entire choir sings together one last time...	NCYC 2008 Choristers and Staff	Amanda says hi to an old NCYC friend!
Kayla and Mariaha saying goodbye for now...

 

 

The National Catholic Youth Choir is a liturgically-based choir open to Roman Catholic youth entering 10th-12th grade.  The conductor of the choir is internationally renowned choral clinician Dr. Axel Theimer.  Fr. Anthony Ruff, OSB, a monk of Saint John’s abbey, is the founding director of the choir.  The program takes place each summer on the beautiful wooded grounds of Saint John's Abbey and University in central Minnesota.  What is unique about the National Catholic Youth Choir is its liturgical focus.  The singers learn about the Catholic liturgy and how the treasury of sacred music (Gregorian chant, Palestrina, Mozart, Bruckner, Poulenc, Duruflé...) fits in Catholic worship today.  The choir also sings contemporary and newly-written music, some of it specially commissioned for the NCYC.

© 2009 National Catholic Youth Choir

Saint John's Abbey and University,

Collegeville, Minnesota 56321

For further information, contact the choir founder and chaplain,

Fr. Anthony Ruff, OSB
 

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Last updated on 12 September 2011