http://www.hatchfund.org/project/nostras_voces
Composer William Neil is developing an innovative musical project (Nostras Voces - Our Voices) which will use the voices of parishioners as a part of a new musical composition honoring the parish, it's people, and this community.
By way of background, as many residents know, the parish is over 140 years old and is the historic center of the Polish community in Chicago. It continues to be a spiritual home to the Polish community but now also serves many Spanish and English-speaking families. More recently, the church has been designated as a place of refuge and meditation and is open 24 hours every day for any person seeking a sacred place for prayer and reflection.
Making our story more interesting, the church was saved from destruction in the 1950s as the course of the Kennedy expressway was altered to preserve the buildings (hence the unusual bend in the road). Thanks to this effort 60 years ago, the majestic building and its windows, frescoes, icons, alters, statues, and other art have been preserved for future generations.
This current project seeks to honor the parish (past and present) and the encounter our people and visitors have with God here by recording the voices of parishioners and then using digital acoustics to create new sounds with their own unique structure and dynamic. This will be preserved and performed in the church for the community once complete.
In the words of the composer: "The result will be a digital fabric of sound that will cascade through my composition...as part of a live ensemble of instruments, including piano, alto flute, bass clarinet, organ and soprano voice....The synthesis of the voices, music and images during the performance will transform the sanctuary into a magnificent unified instrument."
This project is a labor of love and speaks to the spirit of the church and its long history. Against nearly impossible odds the parish and its people have not only survived, but thrived here in the heart of one of America's greatest cities. "In the spirit of collaboration, through new music born from a process that includes the voices of the people who have worked to preserve the church, we will bring forth a fitting tribute to this architectural landmark and, with your support, will make this concern a memorable experience for the community" says Neil.
As with all great projects, support from generous patrons is needed. To accomplish this end, an online crowd funding site has been established and is now open. The link is above. A video detailing the project is presented with this article as well. Please help and ask your family, friends, and colleagues to donate. Any amount is appreciated and donors of $500 or more will receive tickets, reserved seating to the concert, and be invited to a pre-concert dinner with the composer and the performance artists.
Would you like to be a patron of the arts right here in your neighborhood?
Composer William Neil is developing an innovative musical project (Nostras Voces - Our Voices) which will use the voices of parishioners as a part of a new musical composition honoring the parish, it's people, and this community.
By way of background, as many residents know, the parish is over 140 years old and is the historic center of the Polish community in Chicago. It continues to be a spiritual home to the Polish community but now also serves many Spanish and English-speaking families. More recently, the church has been designated as a place of refuge and meditation and is open 24 hours every day for any person seeking a sacred place for prayer and reflection.
Making our story more interesting, the church was saved from destruction in the 1950s as the course of the Kennedy expressway was altered to preserve the buildings (hence the unusual bend in the road). Thanks to this effort 60 years ago, the majestic building and its windows, frescoes, icons, alters, statues, and other art have been preserved for future generations.
This current project seeks to honor the parish (past and present) and the encounter our people and visitors have with God here by recording the voices of parishioners and then using digital acoustics to create new sounds with their own unique structure and dynamic. This will be preserved and performed in the church for the community once complete.
In the words of the composer: "The result will be a digital fabric of sound that will cascade through my composition...as part of a live ensemble of instruments, including piano, alto flute, bass clarinet, organ and soprano voice....The synthesis of the voices, music and images during the performance will transform the sanctuary into a magnificent unified instrument."
This project is a labor of love and speaks to the spirit of the church and its long history. Against nearly impossible odds the parish and its people have not only survived, but thrived here in the heart of one of America's greatest cities. "In the spirit of collaboration, through new music born from a process that includes the voices of the people who have worked to preserve the church, we will bring forth a fitting tribute to this architectural landmark and, with your support, will make this concern a memorable experience for the community" says Neil.
As with all great projects, support from generous patrons is needed. To accomplish this end, an online crowd funding site has been established and is now open. The link is above. A video detailing the project is presented with this article as well. Please help and ask your family, friends, and colleagues to donate. Any amount is appreciated and donors of $500 or more will receive tickets, reserved seating to the concert, and be invited to a pre-concert dinner with the composer and the performance artists.
