Sacred Music Series

Wednesday, July 15th, 2020

In a new summer series, OLMC music director and music professor, Ms. Andrea Covais explores the rich tradition of sacred music. Each week we will feature a new song that will be sung during that weekend’s Masses at communion. We hope these short pieces enrich and deepen your spiritual journey during these times.

“Prelude” by Flor Peeters.

Ms. Andrea Covais, OLMC Music Director

Mozart once referred to the organ as “the King of instruments”. First built in its modern form in the fourteenth century, organs have become an instrument vastly associated with religious and liturgical services. Walk into any church and you will be hard pressed to not find an organ in the sanctuary.

Our featured piece this week is “Prelude” by Flor Peeters (1903-1986), a Belgian composer, organist and academic unknown to many in the music world. He served as the Director of the Convervatorium in Antwerp and as the organist at the Mechelen Cathedral in Belgium for some years. Though his compositions are not as well known as those written by other organists such as J.S. Bach, César Franck, Marcel Dupré, Charles Marie Widor or Olivier Messiaen, many organists play Peeters’ compositions during Masses and services.

Here are some interesting facts about playing the organ:
1. Did you know that each organ is different in size and scope? Some organs are pipe, some electronic and some a combination of both.
2. Each organ can make a different array of sounds (called stops) from traditional church organ to a beautiful solo trumpet or oboe. Organists learn how to use these sounds in different combinations called registrations.
3. Organists play on multiple keyboards, called manuals, and ALSO with their feet on a foot pedal keyboard located below their hands.
4. Though playing the organ seems similar to the piano, there are many things that are different and special about playing the organ that differ from playing the piano. One must study both instruments to become proficient.
5 Organs are often used in a variety of musical styles: classical, jazz and even rock music!

We are very blessed to have such a talented organist, June Marano-Murray here at OLMC. We hope this piece will encourage you to pray and meditate as you receive the Body of Christ and may also lift your spirits with its vast array of beautiful sounds.

Event Signup Forms
View Signup Forms