 |
Saint Cecilia Classical Productions Inc.
|
||||||||||
| Home | |
Goals & Philosophy | |
Who We Are | |
Requirements | |
Contact / Donate |
 Recent Audition Attendees Requirements Section Our Current Talent Search Ad. Saint Cecilia Classical Productions Inc. is a new pro-life, pro-family, music-based, Catholic apologetics apostolate. We are an orthodox, lay-operated organization whose purpose is to provide orthodox Catholic entertainers who can be good role models for today’s young people, and, at the same time, impart the truths of the faith to them. To do this we need Catholic young women who wish to use their musical talents and knowledge of the faith in the service of Our Lord and Our Lady. We are currently conducting a nationwide talent search for traditional Catholic young ladies of exceptional music ability in the areas of classical voice (alto or soprano), string or wind instruments. High school or college age women, or recent college graduates, especially those with choral directing experience or degrees in music, are encouraged to apply. We would also be interested in a two or three member sister act. Home-schooled individuals are also most welcome. Summer or part-time opportunities are available for college students. Additionally, successful candidates will also possess the following qualities: 1, Have excellent verbal and written communication skills; a pleasant outgoing personality with the ability to relate well to both young people and adults; an attractive and well groomed appearance. Mrs. Julie Baltrinic, Assistant Director St. Cecilia Classical Productions Inc. P.O. Box 129 Green, Ohio 44232 info@saintceciliaclassicalproductions.org "The Ladies of Cecilia" Successful candidates for vocalist positions will work as a member of a small vocal ensemble of three to five girls. The name we have chosen for our singing group is: "The Ladies of Cecilia", in honor of St. Cecilia, the patroness of music and of this apostolate. Also see: www.theladiesofcecilia.comEach girl will perform both solo and group roles. Multi-talented individuals who can both sing and play an instrument may interchange their roles between performer and accompanist. Most of the work will consist of live performances, but there will also be opportunities for studio recording work as well. Music based apologetics In addition to singing, members of the group will also serve in an instructional capacity during our performances. This part of our work will consist of a short introductory talk, given by the performer, on some aspect of faith or morals, which their particular song may lend itself to. The basic idea is to use the music as a means of reinforcing the ideas that have were put forth in the talk. In some cases, the songs themselves will be instructional. The extent to which we will do this, and the topics we choose, will depend on the nature of the songs being sung and the make up of the particular audience we are performing for. In addition to regular concerts, we will also engage in various concert-conference type youth events where the primary focus will be on giving talks to teen and young adult groups on such topics as modesty, abstinence and chastity, marriage-family issues, pro-life issues, etc. During such events, we would also perform several educational type songs that would help reinforce the talks that were given. One such example of this would be a performance of our new pro-life song "Let Me Be Born". What type of music will we be performing? Our repertoire will consist of selections from a wide variety of categories such as classical, contemporary, inspirational, folk songs, traditional church music, old Broadway, etc. There is also a lot of beautiful older foreign music that can be performed in their native languages, which we will be looking at. In general, our music will be tailored to the particular audience we are performing for. This is especially true in the case of youth concerts or rallies. One of our purposes is to try and bring young people to a greater appreciation of good music. To this end, we want to choose selections that will both appeal to them and be of a higher quality than the usual rock music that they and much of our society are exposed to today. As a footnote to this point, in the EWTN document archives (keyword satanic music) is a sermon by Fr. Miguel Marie Soeherman, MFVA Titled “Sacred Music vs. Satanic Music” (11/22/2006, the Memorial of St. Cecilia). Father Soeherman discusses the details of how the Devil uses music to ensnare young people in sin and lead them away from Christ. We would recommend it's reading to everyone. For convenience, we have posted his sermon at the bottom of this page. As envisioned at this point, our scope of activities will include such items as: classical concert performances; youth concerts and rallies; pro-life events and apologetics, just to name a few. We are also looking at the possibility of producing a series of pro-life, pro-family music videos to help counteract the negative effects of MTV and other similar TV programming. |
||||||
|
Application and Selection Process Young ladies who are interested in applying should mail or e-mail (preferred) their résumé with repertoire to the address above. Prospective applicants, as well as their parents, are always welcome to contact us with any questions they may have. After resumes are reviewed, an initial phone interview will be made with each prospective candidate. Those individuals who are selected for further consideration will be asked to submit an audio or video sample of their work and some photographs of themselves. Videos should be in either the VHS or DVD format. Digital photographs may be sent by e-mail. All information and materials submitted by prospective candidates are kept strictly confidential. Currently our apostolate is an all volunteer operation. All of the young women working with us are donation their time to help make this undertaking a success. This is also true of our administrative staff and board members; they receive no compensation. It is our future goal that, as funds become available, either from donations or concert fees, all performance positions will transition to paid ones. Help Promote This Apostolate. If you would like to help promote this apostolate, there is a talent search announcement, in PDF form, at the bottom of this page that you may print out and distribute. Assistant Music Director. We are currently seeking an assistant music director. The selected individual will help rehearse and prepare several small, college-aged, female vocal ensembles for live performances of the type indicated above. Applicants should have a B.A. in Music or B.M. Degree, along with excellent piano and vocal skills, and a knowledge of a variety of music styles. Mr. Jim Baltrinic, Director Saint Cecilia Classical Productions Inc. P.O. Box 129 Green, Ohio 44232 330-833-0675 info@saintceciliaclassicalproductions.org |
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
To download a PDF copy of our talent search announcement or church bulletin notice, please click the appropriate link below.
|
||||||
|
Home Goals & Philosophy Who we are Programs & Requirements Contact us Related Articles Sacred Music vs. Satanic Music by Fr. Miguel Marie Soeherman, MFVA. 11/22/2006 - Memorial of St. Cecilia 7am EWTN TV Mass Today is the Memorial of St. Cecilia, virgin & martyr. We are very familiar with her name during Mass because her name is included in the Roman Canon (First Eucharistic Prayer). . . . St. Cecilia is the Patroness of Sacred Music. Many historians believe that she was given that title because of what she requested during her wedding celebration — specifically on how she requested her petition. While the musical instruments were playing, she asked God to keep her virginity intact. She was singing to Him to keep her heart and her body pure so that her vow of virginity may not be violated — not even by her husband. And this grace was given to her to persevere until the end. That’s why now she is known as the Patroness of Sacred Music. Sacred Music plays a very important role in our liturgy. It is even more important than any art. The Second Vatican Document (On the Sacred Liturgy / Sacrosanctum Concilium, 112) chapter 6 focuses on sacred music. The first paragraph states, which the Catechism also quotes: “The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this preeminence is that, as sacred song united to the words, it forms a necessary and integral part of the solemn liturgy.” In the history of the Church, various Saints were led to deep conversion just by listening to sacred music while they’re in a church. Some were drawn to repentance. And some were moved to tears. An example is St. Augustine, which the Catechism quotes (#1157 footnote 24): “How I wept, deeply moved by Your hymns, songs, and the voices that echoed through Your Church! What emotion I experienced in them! Those sounds flowed into my ears, distilling the truth in my heart. A feeling of devotion surged within me, and tears streamed down my face — tears that did me good.” At the same time, just because a certain song is being sung at Mass does not automatically fall under the category of “sacred music” or even good song. In fact, some “popular” songs that are sung in many parishes have nothing to do with liturgical worship. They have nothing to do with what happens at the altar. They have nothing to do with worshiping our Triune God. Thus, they definitely would not be “sacred music.” Some even have heretical words that are contrary to what we believe as Catholics. For example: a lyric that teaches that bread is present as well as Christ in the Eucharist! This is totally wrong! It’s an error! Often, people are singing their hearts out even if it’s doctrinally wrong! Yes, perhaps people don’t pay attention to the words. They just like the tune! Imagine listening to a song in radio. You just like the melody and the tune, but you don’t care about the lyrics. What if the lyrics are Satanic? What if the lyrics contain blasphemous words against Jesus and His Church? Are we going to keep on singing it because we like the tune and the melody? Are we going to continue to listen to it? I’d sure hope NOT! You know the phrase: “Know what you are doing!” Well, know what you are singing!!! Music is sacred as far as it is composed for the divine worship celebration. Sacred music is intended for liturgical worship. It must be connected to the liturgy. Its purpose is to arouse pious and religious sentiments. It should lift our minds and hearts to Heaven. It should lead us to communion with the Saints and with Our Lady. It should lead us to deeper union with God. In one of Fr. Gabriele Amorth’s book (he’s the chief exorcist in Rome), he quotes an article which talked about how Satan uses music to destroy souls especially the young. The article mentioned about WICCA (an organization of witches and others to the occult) which own 3 record companies. And their goal is contributing to the corruption and inner disintegration of the psychology of young people. Every one of their records describes with precision the inner condition necessary for a disciple of Satan. They have a single purpose: to lead youth into Satanism. And Satan is real! Don’t let us, priests, tell you otherwise! If we tell you that he’s only a myth, don’t listen to us! The article also said that some records are consecrated to Satan based on 4 principles: beat, volume intensity, subliminal signal, and ritual consecration. BEAT: ...mimics the sexual act. Abruptly, the listeners are caught up in a frenzy designed to produce a sort of hysteria. It is the result of the sexual instinct, which is aroused through the use of beat. VOLUME INTENSITY: The volume is deliberately set to at least seven decibels above the tolerance level of our nervous system. Prolonged exposure to such a noise level induces a type of depression, rebelliousness, and aggression... SUBLIMINAL SIGNAL: Subliminal signs are transmitted at such a high pitch that we are unable to hear them. The signal is meant to disorient; at an intensity of 3,000 kilocycles per second, it acts on our unconscious, but our ears cannot capture it precisely because it is supersonic. Unbeknownst to us, the brain produces a natural drug as a result of the stimuli it receives, and it disorients us. Suddenly, we feel strange. This strange feeling induces us to seek real drugs and causes drug addicts to increase their intake. RITUAL CONSECRATION OF EVERY RECORD DURING A BLACK MASS: This is the fourth element. Before each record is released on the market, it is consecrated to Satan through a ritual that is a true black mass. If you ever take the time to analyze the words of these songs [words that may be hidden and only perceptible by listening to the record backwards], you will realize that the general subject is always the same: rebellion against parents, against society, against all that exists; the unleashing of all sexual instincts; and the urge to create an anarchist state with the ultimate triumph of Satan’s universal kingdom... (Source: An Exorcist: More Stories, Amorth, 72ff) If the Enemy knows to use music to destroy our young people, then we ought to realize that sacred music does the opposite. Pope St. Pius X teaches that sacred music has two intended purposes: 1) for the glory of God, and 2) for the sanctification and edification of the faithful. Genuine sacred music transforms the participants in holiness. Genuine sacred music not only builds the individual but also builds the community. It adds ceremonial splendor. Actually our Holy Father mentioned in Regensburg just a couple months ago that it does not add ceremonial splendor. He said: “Solemn sacred music, with choir, organ, orchestra and the singing of the people, is not therefore a kind of addition that frames the liturgy and makes it more pleasing, but they are an important means of active participation in worship.” I know we have Catholic composers and Catholic singers out there. You have a special vocation. You are to help the young people especially to glorify God and to be holy. Again the Second Vatican Council states: “Composers, filled with the Christian spirit, should feel that their vocation is to cultivate sacred music and increase its store of treasures.” A question in the Compendium of the Catechism #239 asked: “What are the criteria for the proper use of singing and music in liturgical celebrations?” The answer is: “Since song and music are closely connected with liturgical action they must respect the following criteria. They should conform to Catholic doctrine in their texts, drawn preferably from Sacred Scripture and liturgical sources. They should be a beautiful expression of prayer. The music should be of a high quality...” As St. Paul said that we’re in an important battle. We’re in a “spiritual warfare.” Our battle is not against flesh and blood but against principalities and power. And music is one of the main battle arenas especially for the young. May St. Cecilia intercede for all of us that we may persevere in fighting the good fight until the end! May she intercede for us that Sacred Music be cultivated and grow in its store of treasures that through them we may be holy and glorify God now and unto eternity! AMEN! Provided Courtesy of: Eternal Word Television Network 5817 Old Leeds Road Irondale, AL 35210 www.ewtn.com Copyright © 2007 - 2008 Saint Cecilia Classical Productions Inc. All rights reserved. |
