The Compass News
July 9, 2004
(Green Bay Diocese Newspaper)
Youth sing in sync for choir
Seven local students help bring
national choir here for practice, performance.
By Jeff Kurowski, Compass Assistant
Editor
Talented teens from the Diocese of Green Bay have been a
part of the National Catholic Youth Choir (NCYC) since its inception in
2000. But there have never been as many as this summer, and this year,
the choir will perform in the diocese.
Seven vocalists from Appleton's
Xavier High School will return
home with the choir to perform July 13 at Lawrence University Chapel in
Appleton, and on July 14 at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay.
"It's exciting," says senior Erin Kenneavy, a third-year
chorister. "I've told a lot of my friends that they need to be there.
I handed out posters. I hope we have a good turnout."
"The music is for all ages," she continued. "It's a
newer sound that people my age or younger don't hear on TV of the radio.
It's a mixture of classical sacred songs and Gregorian chant. There
will be a lot of amazing voices."
The National Catholic Youth Choir, founded by Fr. Anthony
Ruff, OSB, is a liturgically-based choir open to Catholics entering grades
10-12. The program is offered each summer on the grounds of St. John's
Abbey and University in central Minnesota. The choir is directed by
Dr. Axel Theimer, a native of Austria and former member of the Vienna Boys
Choir. Dr. Theimer has served on the music faculty at St. John's
University and the College of St. Benedict for 35 years.
Kenneavy and Jason Van Dyn Hoven, a second-year choir
member, are joined by newcomers Claire Abts, John Binzak, Logan Bernecker,
Charlie Vogt and Kyle Diederich, all members of the Concert Choir and
show-choir "Hawkswing" at Xavier. The students credit Paul Speiser,
choral director at Xavier, for his support of their participation in the
National Catholic Youth Choir.
"Mr. Speiser encouraged me to try out," said Abts, a
senior. "He helped me with my audition. He is always willing to
work with us."
"He used his laptop for our recordings," said Vogt, a
sophomore. "He really believes that we can learn a lot from this
experience."
Auditions require the vocalists to fill out an
application form, write an essay and submit an audio recording.
Surprisingly, the recording was the most difficult part
of the audition, said Vogt, who kicked off the summer with Kaukauna
Community Players' production of "Oklahoma."
"Jason guided me through the essay portion," he said.
"When recording the song, there was one note that drove me nuts, but I made
it through it."
"Jason is a friend of mine, and he shared with me that
this is a good opportunity," he added. "He told me that he has made a
lot of friends through the choir and about his development in faith."
"He (Van Dyn Hoven) told me how much fun he had last
summer," said Binzak, a junior. "I'm looking forward to meeting a lot
of new people, to work with different instructors and for the spiritual
experience."
Roger Kenneavy, Erin's father, organized the performances
in the diocese. Two summers ago, he and his wife, Dawn, traveled to
Stevens Point to see Erin in concert with the National Catholic Youth Choir.
"I was so impressed and moved by their performance that I
made it a point to try and talk the staff into coming to Appleton," said
Roger. "I remember looking over my shoulder at the church to see how
many people were there, and I thought what a shame it was to see such a
relatively sparse crowd. I thought if the choir's visit was properly
and actively promoted, we should be able to get a big crowd to witness this
beautiful music."
The concerts in the diocese kick off the 2004 NCYC tour.
"It's really nice that people of this area will have the
opportunity to hear us sing," said Van Dyn Hoven, a junior.
"I'm really looking forward to it," said Binzak.
"It's a chance for the whole diocese to get a taste of what the National
Catholic Youth Choir is all about."
