Palouse Choral Society Chamber Choir to perform at the Monastery

On March 18 at 4 p.m. the Monastery will present the Palouse Choral Society Chamber Choir, conducted by Michael Murphy.

The Palouse Choral Society Chamber Choir is an ensemble of 20 voices that are selectively auditioned from the larger 80 voice Concert Chorale. Comprised of gifted and dedicated singers, this ensemble performs choral repertoire from throughout the Western Music canon, with emphasis on unaccompanied works. Singers hail from Pullman, Moscow, Lewiston, Clarkston and the surrounding communities.

Michael Murphy made his debut as Artistic and Music Director of the Palouse Choral Society in 2009. He is also Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Conducting at the University of Idaho where he directs the Vandaleers Concert Choir and University Chorus, and teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in conducting and choral methods. In addition, he is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Idaho Bach Festival.

The March 18 concert is a presentation of the Spirituality and Arts program and will take place in the chapel at 4 p.m. This event is free. For more information, call 208-962-2000.

About S&A:

Spirituality and the Arts program at St. Gertrude presents dynamic performances and retreats that engage artistic expression as devotion and the deepening of spirituality through creativity.

The program began on September 26, 2010 with a performance by “The Sharp Five Jazztet” featuring Father Gary Uhlenkott , S.J. and an exhibit of Sister Carolyn Miguel’s icons. In October, vocalist/flutist Katherine Ramos Baker presented a retreat on Hildegard of Bingen and performed a candlelight concert of her music.

“All I’ve ever painted is my God experience, my prayer experience,” says artist Dr. John Jerry-Anthony Parente, leader of the recent watercolor retreat. Parente guided 18 retreatants into a deeper understanding of art as an expression of self that is created by God. He challenged participants “to be ecstatic, to flow and blend with the vastness.”

Other presenters include Father Damian Higgins, who led participants in learning the theology and techniques that relate to writing icons. “Icons are sacramental,” he explained, “something material that conveys a spiritual reality…a window of hope.” At the end of the week, Father Damian performed a blessing of both the icons and the artists.

The Gonzaga University Choir also gave a performance in the Monastery chapel. Led by director Timothy Westerhaus, 56 voices filled the chapel with a mix of sacred and secular, historical and contemporary music. “It was ecstatic and heavenly to be surrounded by all that sound,” says Sister Valine Kachelmier. “I wished it would never end.”

Learn more about Spirituality and the Arts at St. Gertrude and upcoming arts retreats at Spirit Center.