Washington D.C., Aug 12, 2010 / 22:50 pm
A new variant of the Ave Maria and six award-winning works of sacred music will be performed in a free concert at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception this coming Saturday.
The concert, sponsored by the Foundation for Sacred Arts, will take place in the Basilica’s Crypt Church on August 14 at 7:30 p.m. Three Masses written for the forthcoming English translation of the Roman Missal will be performed, as will three non-liturgical sacred works.
Six of the works won the 2010 International Sacred Music Competition for Composers. Entrants were required to write works in the Catholic traditions of Gregorian chant and polyphony and were judged on both their originality and their historical connections.
The Foundation for Sacred Arts explained to CNA that the winning works “sound both refreshingly new while being comfortingly familiar.”
Performing the pieces will be the Choir Basilica under the direction of Peter Latona. The composers, who are from around the United States, will attend the premieres and will be available for conversation after the concert.
The Foundation for Sacred Arts said it “eagerly” invites attendees to “what will doubtless be a historical evening, and hopes that you will be among the first to hear seven beautiful new contributions to the Catholic musical tradition.”
The Foundation’s website is at http://thesacredarts.org