This video was made to promote the Sony CD of chant by the monks of the Monastery of Christ in the Desert in New Mexico. The chant is lovely – and even better is the chance to tour the monastery. I’ve been in this part of the Southwest and it is wild and beautiful. Enjoy!
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Posted by
MJBallou on May 7th, 2013 in
arts,
Music,
Videos |
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You just can’t go wrong with any of the dances from Terpsichore – at least I think so! Enjoy this clever YouTube and dance through the day!
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Posted by
MJBallou on Apr 19th, 2013 in
arts,
Music,
Religion |
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This morning I saw a resplendent peacock on the wall at the Fountain of Youth, home to a sizable number of peacocks and peahens. This peacock was obviously looking for “companionship,” but there was just one problem. He was facing the street. And the chances of an interested peahen driving by were about nil. The peahens were behind him. (And probably too busy looking for bugs...
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In response to Pope Francis’ statement on wanting a church which is poor and for the poor. You can read all of it here.
“I trust that as we get to know Francis better he will make this clearer. That he has a preferential option for the poor is already clear and admirable and inspiring, but I thought we already are for the poor and always have been, although — of course — there...
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Like many, I have been astonished at the vitriolic diatribes that poured forth after the Pope’s election. I wonder how many people who might have been interested in the Extraordinary Form of the Mass have had that interest extinguished. How many pastors and priests have thought, “Gee, I sure hope I don’t run into those folks.” And how many with an interest and...
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Occasionally, you read something that stays with you, that continues to influence your thinking, that crystallizes an issue or fact. The so-called “seminal essay.”
For me, “Gothic Pillars and Blue Notes: Art as a Reflection of the Conflict of Religions” by Quentin Faulkner has been one of these. Originally published in The American Organist in 1998, this three-part...
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Occasionally I find myself at Masses where Gregorian chant makes an appearance as “dress-up music.” It may be tossed in as a prelude or perhaps as an addition to the music at Communion time. Now I’m not talking about singing an introit before a processional hymn or chanting the appropriate Communion antiphon or Eucharistic hymn. I’m all for chant making its way...
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Glad you asked! I’m Mary Jane Ballou – a free-lance musician, living in St. Augustine, Florida. As an instrumentalist on the harp and salterio, I perform primarily on the lever harp. My repertoire focuses on Celtic and early music. I’m a particular fan of Renaissance Spanish music – always looking for the elusive ties between Spain and the Celts. I’ve two CDs – one of music about St. Augustine, the other about Christmas. You can hear more on my website or on CDBaby.
I am the founding director of Cantorae St. Augustine, a women’s ensemble focusing on chant and sacred music. I conduct, cajole, and arrange for a wonderful group of women. More about them at Cantorae. Because unique music is my passion, my weekly radio show on Flagler College Radio features both early music and interesting contemporary works.read more