Posted by
MJBallou on Feb 7th, 2013 in
Liturgy,
Religion |
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I’m not a professional translator or a great Latinist. However, I did spend a number of years working for a major Scripture translation organization, so I am always bemused by various translations. In the course of preparing Lauds for the Saturday after Ash Wednesday (for a conference), I thought the closing prayer in my English Liturgy of the Hours was pretty thin gruel. So I...
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Posted by
MJBallou on Feb 6th, 2013 in
Music,
Religion,
Videos |
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Today seems to be going from the sublime to the ridiculous. And this so reminds me of youth group music experiences, except we always could fall back on Peter, Paul & Mary. Thanks to Southern Orders!
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Posted by
MJBallou on Feb 6th, 2013 in
arts,
Music,
Videos |
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Having dug out from some major projects, I thought it best to come back with a song. What could possibly be better than Georgians and Corsicans combining for some fantastic polyphony?
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Back from a splendid holiday in London. Yes, it was soggy and it did seem to get dark awfully early. However, there were always museums to visit and pubs to warm up in.
The best part – three splendid liturgies and a wonderful carol service. At Westminster Cathedral and the London Oratory, music is important. And they obviously put their money were their mouths are (to use an odd...
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A few weeks ago I played for an outdoor wedding in St. Augustine. One of the staples of wedding ceremonies now is the officiant with a wireless, the assumption being that no one would be able to hear him without it. This wedding was an exception.
Think of Eric Clapton’s “Unplugged” album.In this case, the minister, a preacher in his 80s, was unplugged!
Would we hear anything he said? Would...
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Posted by
MJBallou on Nov 26th, 2012 in
arts,
Music,
Religion |
0 comments
There was recently a special jubilee mass for the local diocesan religious order at our Cathedral in St. Augustine. I was unable to attend because of travel, but everyone was eager to tell me about it on my return. And their praise for the mass, for the music, for the preaching – for every aspect of the service was unrestrained and uniform. This was surprising because this praise came from all...
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This charming video from the Fraternities Monastiques de Jerusalem is a Paris-specific litany of the saints, accompanied by architecture, stained glass, and other splendors. Enjoy it as a “warm-up” to the Solemnity of All Saints tomorrow. And why not be a saint yourself? Or at least enjoy the riches of FMJweb. Born out of the tumult of the late 60′s, the Fraternity has...
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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