After sudden loss, vespers returns to college seminary
CHARLOTTE — Solemn Vespers with the seminarians of St. Joseph College Seminary returned on Sunday, Nov. 20, at St. Ann Church for the first time since the sudden passing of beloved music director Tom Savoy on Oct. 24.
“The last thing Tom would want, is for his many labors now living in these men, to be lost. We will move forward knowing it will not be the same without him,” said Father Matthew Kauth, the seminary’s rector. “The treasury of the Church’s music in chant and polyphony has been opened to them, and that treasury will not close. We will build on what he left us and show our gratitude to him and his family by singing well the praises of the Lord.”
Going forward, seminarians who have become knowledgeable in the field through their studies with Savoy will take turns leading Vespers and other sacred music at the seminary.
Music often speaks where words fail, and that is certainly true when capturing the expectant air of the season.
For more stirring musical moments, a variety of Advent and Christmas music performances are set to return this year with more faith and fanfare than ever:
CHARLOTTE
Concert of Sacred Music for Advent and Christmas: 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3, Cathedral of St. Patrick, 1620 Dilworth Road East, Charlotte. All are invited to attend this annual event at the cathedral. The Cathedral of St. Patrick Cathedral Choir, Children’s Choir and High School Choir will sing the “Magnificat in C major” by Benedikt Anton Aufschnaiter and works by Guerrero, Michael Haydn, Buxtehude and Casals. Admission is free. A freewill offering will be collected. For more information, contact Dr. Gianfranco DeLuca at 704-334-2283 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Venite Adoremus: 5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 4, St. Ann Church, 3635 Park Road, Charlotte. Join the seminarians of St. Joseph College Seminary for a meditation on the Eucharist with poetry, prayer and music.
Lessons and Carols: 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 16, St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte. Enjoy 11 Advent hymns paired with Scripture from the Fall of Man through the Ascension and Great Commission. The St. Matthew Choir will lead the event with the congregation joining in on eight of the hymns. A reception will follow.
GREENSBORO
Troubadours’ Christmas Concert to benefit Room At The Inn: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 2, Carolina Theatre, 310 S. Greene St., Greensboro. Celebrate Christmastide with seasonal music from a variety of local artists performing in the historic Carolina Theatre. Stay for a desert reception followed by a screening of Disney’s 2009 film “A Christmas Carol.” Sponsored by local businesses and churches, including St. Pius X Church, the concert benefits the work of Room At The Inn, a Catholic maternity home in Greensboro. To reserve seats, visit www.troubadourconcert.com.
Advent Hymn Sing: 4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 11., St. Pius X Church, 2210 N. Elm St., Greensboro. All are invited to sing familiar hymns and carols of the season at this annual music event put on by St. Pius X’s music ministry. The choir will also sing beautiful choral arrangements of wonderful texts of the Advent season. Admission is free, but attendees are asked to consider bringing a canned good or two for the good of the cause.
Lessons and Carols: 6 p.m., Friday, Dec. 23, Our Lady of Grace Church, 2203 West Market St., Greensboro. Lessons and Carols at Our Lady of Grace will feature music and Scripture readings in English, Spanish and Latin. Each Scripture lesson is paired with an appropriate carol and tells the story of creation through the birth of Jesus Christ. The Our Lady of Grace parish choirs, children’s choirs and School Mass Choir will lead this service with opportunities for the congregation to join in on classic Christmas carols.
MAGGIE VALLEY
Lessons and Carols: 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18., St. Margaret of Scotland Church, 37 Murphy Drive, Maggie Valley. Come listen to St. Margaret’s instrumental and choral ensemble. Lessons and Carols is part of the church’s Advent event. It follows the 3 p.m. Jesse Tree ornament-making and precedes the 6 p.m. parish dinner.
— Annie Ferguson. Photos and video by Markus Kuncoro and Mike FitzGerald
