Music at St. Augustine


One cannot have authentic Western Rite Liturgy without its accompanying music. To this end, a fine choir of mixed voices, the Ambrosian Choristers is maintained for the artistic cultivation and rendition of the music so integral to the Liturgy. The organist-choirmaster, Francis Slechta, is always on the lookout for talented singers who want to hone their craft and have the opportunity to perform the great works of the liturgical literature in the context for which they were composed.  He may be contacted for an audition by interested singers.

Music from Gregorian Chant, through the great sixteenth century polyphony and the classical Viennese masters down to our own age are regularly performed as part of the Liturgy.

We are also in the process of forming a schola cantorum. This is a group of men who will study and perform the Gregorian Chants required at Mass and Offices throughout the year. No Western Church can be complete without a group of chanters to learn and perfect the art of the Church’s own music—Gregorian plainsong.

While the organ is the primary musical instrument of the Western Church, orchestral accompaniments are often times used to support the voices at the Mass.

 

 

Easter Program (pdf)


AMBROSIAN CHORISTERS AUDITIONS
2009-2010 Season

The AMBROSIAN CHORISTERS are auditioning singers in all voices parts for the 2009-2010 season but are in particular need of a classically trained soprano and tenor.

Seeking serious trained singers for a small choral ensemble which specializes in the classic liturgical repertoire of the Western church from Gregorian plainsong to 20th Century compositions.

Commitment: one weekly rehersal and Sunday morning and special services.

Qualifications:

  • good pitch, vocal production and musicality
  • sight singing skills (a large repertoire)
  • solo as well as ensemble experience
  • healthy and committed!

Major works this season:

F.J. Haydn: St. Nikolai-Messe (Christmas Eve with orchestra)
J.G. Rheinberger: Messe in C (Easter Day with orchestra)

For more information and to schedule an audition, please call 303-698-2433 (leave message)

Frank Slechta, Music Director
destael@earthlink.net
http://www.staugustinedenver.org/music.html

download the pdf: Ambrosian Choristers Auditions

 

Liturgical Music Schedule Fall-Winter 2009


click here to download a pdf of the Fall/Winter Music Schedule



October 25      THE FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING         10:00am

Adalbert Rihovsky (1871-1950)
MISSA “LAUDA SION”, op. 16 *


November 1                ALL SAINTS DAY                        10:00am

Franz Josef Haydn (1732-1809)
“LITTLE ORGAN SOLO MASS”


November 8             THE TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST                         10:00am

Pietro Alessandro Yon (1886-1943)
MESSA MELODICA IN HONOUR OF SAINT MARGARET OF ANTIOCH *



November 15           THE TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST                         10:00am

C. H. Kitson (1874-1944)
MASS IN D



November 22  THE LAST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST  10:00am

Pietro Alessandro Yon (1886-1943)
MESSA MELODICA IN HONOUR OF SAINT MARGARET OF ANTIOCH *

 

November 29                       ADVENT I                       10:00am

Gregorian Chant
MISSA PENITENTIALIS


December 6                         ADVENT II                       10:00am

Gregorian Chant
MISSA PENITENTIALIS

December 13                   GAUDETE SUNDAY                10:00am

Pietro Alessandro Yon (1886-1943)
MESSA MELODICA IN HONOUR OF SAINT MARGARET OF ANTIOCH *

December 20                         ADVENT IV                       10:00am

Gregorian Chant
MISSA PENITENTIALIS

Thurs. December 24             CHRISTMAS EVE                    10:00am

Music for the Eve of Christmas
THE CONFLUENCE STRING QUARTET
Traditional Christmas Midnight Mass
Franz Josef Haydn (1732-1809)
Missa Sancti Nicolai in G, Hob. XXII; No. 6*
anthems, carols, and instrumental music for Christmas
featuring the Ambrosian Choristers and Orchestra

Dec. 27   SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS, ST. JOHN, EV.  10:00am

Adalbert Rihovský (1871-1950)
MISSA “LAUDA SION”, op. 16 *


*Indicates a work newly added to the repertoire

 


 

The Ambrosian Choristers perform a wide variety of motets and anthems in addition to the Mass settings listed above. The Gregorian Chant Propers of the Mass are also chanted at each service.

Francis E. Slechta, organist-choirmaster

SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE

 



 

St. Augustine Orthodox Christian Church
55 West Third Avenue at Acoma Street, Denver, Colorado 80223
Right Reverend John A. Mangels, pastor
303.698.2433 eastmsgr@staugustinedenver.org