July 7, 2009

With tour coming to a close, NCYC had their biggest day yet!  After leaving Waukesha, Wisconsin, they headed south to Chicago, Illinois for the National Pastoral Musicians Conference at the Convention Center.  Here, they participated in two breakout sessions with Dr. Theimer, where they demonstrated the many vocal techniques that they had learned over the past two weeks.  After the morning and afternoon sessions, they had a light supper and an evening concert at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church as part of the NPM Conference.  After the concert, NCYC enjoyed some Dairy Queen Blizzards--they've earned them!

July 7 Photos

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
 

---

This website is maintained by NCYC staff.
Last updated on 12 September 2011