Talented musicians from various schools, universities, and the Cathedral Choir participated in creating music to worship God. Photo: Matthew Lau.
By Matthew Lau
St Mary’s Cathedral parishioners marvelled at the symphonic masterclass collaborative of musicians from numerous Perth schools and universities last Sunday.
The third annual Orchestral Mass took place on 29 July during the 11am Mass celebrated by recently appointed Cathedral Dean Fr Sean Fernandez with Assistant Priests Fr Conor Steadman and Fr Jeffey Casabuena.
The music performed at this year’s Orchestral Mass was attuned to mark 10 years since Sydney hosted World Youth Day 2008.
Dr Nicholas Bannan, Associate Professor of Music at the Conservatorium of Music at UWA, led the orchestral.
The schools involved were Chisholm Catholic College, John XXIII College, John Curtin College of the Arts, La Salle College, Mercedes College, Mater Dei College, Perth College Anglican School for Girls, Trinity College, Ursula Frayne Catholic College, and undergraduates from both WAAPA and the Conservatorium of Music (UWA).
The magnifique repertoire for the Orchestral Mass included Missa Benedictus Qui Venit by George Palmer, Our Lady of the Southern Cross by Geoffrey Abdullah, Totus Tuus by Henryk Gorecki, and a beautiful hymn to Patroness of Australia: Our Lady of the Southern Cross, Help of Christians.
St Mary’s Cathedral Director of Music Jacinta Jakovcevic. Photo: Matthew Lau.
St Mary’s Cathedral Director of Music Jacinta Jakovcevic, said she was pleased to see the ensemble members learn from one another.
“It was a high standard of music-making, but there has to be a spiritual value to it as well,” she told The eRecord.
“It’s a real spiritual gathering that has Jesus Christ at its core. We’re not playing for a concert, we’re playing for Mass. We need to approach music for Mass at a higher standard than the way we would approach a concert.”
Ms Jakovcevic said the experienced conductor, Prof Bannan, worked particularly well with the young musicians.
“I always put Totus Tuus in the Orchestral Mass because it was St John Paul II’s motto, he instituted World Youth Day and he had a great affection for young people so we always pay tribute to him,” she added.
The repertoire for the Orchestral Mass kept with the theme of Sydney’s World Youth Day 2008. Photo: Matthew Lau.
Orchestra conductor Prof Bannan said he holds a great personal affection with St Mary’s Cathedral.
“A Cathedral, or indeed any place of worship, has several factors to it. There is a sense of awe and sense of experience that a large building can afford,” he said.
“I think World Youth Day 2008 really left a mark. Some who were involved on Sunday still talk about it – that is quite an important feature to be aware of.
“We hope that this will be part of an ongoing series,” Prof Bannan concluded.