Q: Please briefly introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your family.

My name is Teresa Smith. I’m a singer, vocal instructor and homeschooling mother of eight. I’m married to my wonderful husband David who is a music producer for many Catholic recording artists. Also, I happen to sing the theme song, “Blooming”, for the Catholic Moments podcast.

Q: Please give us an overview of the “Gregorian Chant for Kids” project? How did it get started?

Gregorian Chant for Kids is a CD recording designed to introduce children (and families unfamiliar with Chant) to Gregorian Chant. It is unique in that it is performed exclusively by children rather than by adults. Along with the CD, we also offer download-able .pdf files of simplified notation and phonetic pronunciation of the Latin to make it easier to learn.

The idea came about when David was working with a Catholic recording artist at the studio, helping with production on her Gregorian Chant CD in 2008. David and I were both struck with the beauty and the sacred and reverent “other-worldliness” of the chants while working on that CD. After those recording sessions were completed, David and I were driving this artist back to the airport and we were having a conversation about our kids and how they love to sing. During the conversation, this artist briefly said something like “you ought to consider making a chant CD with your kids”, or something to that effect. David and I thought it was an interesting idea but nothing really registered. However, after a few weeks, and like most decisions in our life, during our time in adoration, David and I noticed the idea kept coming back to us. Soon we began to feel urgency about following through with the idea. We knew the idea would fit in well with our homeschooling activities whether anyone else would be interested in the CD or not, helping to meet our music requirements in their education. We also noticed that there was nothing else being made available by any other home school curriculum that taught children how to sing chants. We noticed most recordings were sung by adults or poorly recorded too. We felt that children would learn best by hearing voices most like their own.

Q: Who are the kids involved in the CD and how did they learn to sing Gregorian Chant?

The children involved are our own children: Nate, Patrick, Brian and Regina. We have two older teens whose voices just don’t sound like children’s anymore! And we have two younger boys too young to sing. We taught them chant simply by taking time everyday to sit down, as you would in a music class, going over the pronunciation and practicing the melodies in sections. Once we had a whole chant completed, we’d take them to our recording studio (which is attached to our home) and record that chant. Then we’d start the process over for the next chant. Finally, David adds the organ parts and mixes everything. It took about 3 months to get everything recorded but the kids loved it. Plus, we just consider it a part of the home schooling curriculum and they kids love being able to sing the chants at the Latin Mass.

Q: What is your goal for the project?

First, we feel that God’s calling for us in this project and future chant projects is to provide an accessible musical resource that families use to introduce their children to this beautiful musical treasury of the Church so that it does not become lost. We want families to know that is possible for their children to learn chant – and that children truly enjoy it!

Second, we love being able to provide a recording that is so unique with the children’s voices. Listeners have said over and over that it is so beautiful and angelic to hear the chants being sung by children’s voices. Very soothing and prayerful.

Q: What type of reaction have you received to the CD?

The reactions to the CD range from strong to ecstatic. As I mentioned above, many people tell us they don’t use the CD to teach children; they just love it for listening pleasure. The comment we hear most often is that they imagine angels singing sounds like.

Q: What do the kids think about having their own CD?

They are genuinely excited and very proud of it because they weren’t sure they could do it when we first began. Also, we can tell they feel a real sense of accomplishment when they see David packaging and shipping out a large order of the CD’s to distributors like Catholic Heritage Curricula, who have made the CD a part of their curriculum. They often talk about all of the hard work they put into it.

Q: Do you have plans for future “Chant for Kids” CDs?

Yes, we are currently working on Volume 2. Plus, we will be making teaching DVD’s for Volumes 1 and 2 that include little music lessons for each chant to provide even more help for families to teach their children Gregorian chant. We will keep producing volumes until we run out of chants or until all our children reach puberty and their voices change! Also, we are working on a CD/DVD for teaching children how to sing the older, pre-Vatican II, English language hymns of the Church.

Q: How can readers order the CD and find more information about Chant for Kids?

People can get more information on our website: www.ChantforKids.com

Q: Are there any closing thoughts you’d like to share with our readers?

I would just like to encourage families to introduce themselves to Gregorian chant. It is well worth the effort because they’ll be learning a singularly Catholic, beautiful and reverent musical treasure of our Church. At the same time I would encourage anyone who simply would love to be soothed and their faith inspired to buy Gregorian Chant for Kids!

I hope you enjoy the following video of the Smith family singing Gregorian Chant for Kids and that you’ll check out www.ChantforKids.com and consider sharing Gregorian Chant with the special children in your life!

Video Link

I am thrilled to share the following conversation with very talented Catholic musician and composer David Isaac. Readers with children who possess an interest in music, please take note of David’s very generous offer at the end of this interview!

Q:  Please briefly introduce yourself and share a little bit about your musical background.

I am a composer who believes that music can change the world.  I write music based upon story and themes of Christianity and ancient myths.

My background?  Growing up, I was an odd kid.  I listened only to classical music, with the exception of orchestral soundtracks.  In high school, I even wrote a paper on the “Mozart effect.”  Music school didn’t work out for me.  (Some professors were dictators.)  I began writing on my own, and now I am a freelance composer, orchestrator, and music copyist.

Q:  How did you begin composing?

I began taking piano lessons again at age 15, and I immediately started to write.  With my allowance, I bought inexpensive music notation software.  My piano teacher wasn’t supportive.  So I began to learn as much as I could on my own, by reading scores, listening to music, and checking out books from the university’s Fine Arts Library.

One of the biggest challenges for a composer is to prove himself to all sorts of people.  Conductors, teachers, musicians, other composers, and audiences.  Other composers are particularly harsh.  Some have told me that my music is “no good” and that I could never succeed as a composer.  “Why are you even trying?”

On the other hand, I have received standing ovations and have met audience members and musicians who really enjoy my music and help me out in many ways.

When you don’t come from a family of musicians, you have to go into the industry from the bottom up.  You prove yourself by writing great pieces of music.  (Harder than it sounds.)

Q:  How does your faith background impact upon the music you create?

In every way.

I write music that inspires people.  A lot of my music doesn’t have lyrics, but I draw upon uplifting poetry and story as a source of inspiration.

I write in the classical style, because I believe this is the music that can affect people on the deepest level.  Unlike Hip-hop, it is not meant for dancing.  Unlike some Pop, it is not cheesy. Unlike Country, it is not meant for singing about your ex.  Excuse my gross-generalizations.

Writing classical music is the best ability we have to describe the everlasting, the great beyond.  And to describe God.

Q:  Who are some of your musical influences and how have they had an impact on your work?

Any sincere composers, who have something important to say.  Some of these are Samuel Barber, John Williams, James Newton Howard, (American), Sergei Rachmaninoff, Dimitri Shostakovich, Igor Stravinski (Russian), Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel (French).  Actually the list is too long.

Q:  Who do you listen to for fun?

Maybe I’m not good at separating work from play, but the above composers are same ones that I listen to for fun.  My iPod has 32 days worth of classical music, and I am always adding more.  Also, I enjoy classical concerts when a.) my works are not being played and b.) I am not trying to meet new musicians.   [Laughs]

Q:  What are your goals for your compositions?

To move at least one person in the audience in a permanent and profound way.

Q:  Where can listeners learn more about your music?

Visit http://www.davidimusic.com.

My album Dreaming is piano solo music inspired by poetry from Shelley, Field, Kilmer, D.H. Lawrence, and Solomon’s Song of Songs.   It is available at  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/isaacryder.

Q:  Are there any additional comments you’d like to share with our readers?

Catholics moms, get your children into classical music.  You can do this in a several ways:

1.  Instrumental or vocal lessons.  (This is the best.)

2.  Expose them to excellent recordings of the best classical musicians of our time: like Yo-Yo Ma, Joshua Bell, Hilary Hahn, Lang Lang.  If you are curious about who is good, Google “grammy nominations classical.”

3.  Soundtrack music can be an intro to classical music, especially for boys who enjoy movies and games.  Composers like John Williams, Howard Shore, Michael Giacchino, and Dario Marianelli are better than Danny Elfman, Brian Tyler, and Hans Zimmer.  The last three have more “sound design” and less real music.

Classical music can open up a whole new world of experience for all.  It is a tremendous comfort in times of need and a tremendous blessing in times of joy.

If anyone has a child that is interested in writing music, I would be happy to help.  Email me at contactme@davidimusic.com.  Also, if you are interested in getting involved in my music, you can email the same address.

Do you know what you’re doing on Saturday, September 4th at 7:00 pm?  I do!  I’ll be in Merced, California at the beautiful St. Patrick’s Catholic Church to hear the amazing Tajci offering a spiritual concert and program.  A huge thanks to our friend, CatholicMom.com contributor, and event organizer extraordinaire Brian Kravec for sharing the following information on Tajci’s appearance in Merced.

INTERNATIONAL SINGING STAR, TATIANA (TAJCI) TO PERFORM AT ST. PATRICK’S CATHOLIC CHURCH

On Saturday September 4th at 7pm, world renown singer/songwriter Tajci (pronounced Tai-Chee) will perform “I Do Believe” at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 671 East Yosemite Ave Merced CA.  The event features Tajci on keyboards, backed by Los Angeles based producer and accomplished electronic instrumentalist, Denny Bouchard, in an emotional portrayal of the life of Christ and Tajci’s own spiritual journey.

Since the spring of 2000, Tatiana (Tajci) Cameron has shared her spiritual programs in over 650 concerts building a nationwide following for the artist who, as a teenager, was a pop music superstar in Communist Central Europe. At the age of twenty-one, she left it all behind in search of something more.

Experience Tajci – the music she writes, the story she tells and the voice that is inspiring America to believe again.

“I Do Believe” is a concert event you will not forget.

Free Admission
Donations accepted
All are welcome

Saturday, September 4^th, 7PM
St. Patrick’s Church
671 East Yosemite Ave
Merced , CA , 95340
209-383-3924
www.olmstpatrick.org

Today, I’m pleased to share my recent Catholic Spotlight interview with author and musician Jared Haselbarth.  Jared is the author of Promises to the Best Fish as well as the musical talent behind “Every Color Blue”.

Q:  Please briefly introduce yourself and your family to our readers.

Q:  Along with being a writer, you are also a musician!  Tell us about “Every Color Blue” – is this your first CD and how would you describe your musical stylings?

Yes,  I would like to offer you all an opportunity to help with a great Missions Outreach project. The CLAA, the Academy that I work with, is trying to raise money to help the Missionaries of the Poor (MOPs) in Kingston, Jamaica. These brothers work with the poorest of the poor – much like the Sisters of Charity. Anyhow, they are trying to expand so that they have room to house their brothers (it is the fastest growing religious order in the Church today), house volunteers, and create space for the many poor and orphaned. I WOULD LIKE TO DONATE ALL THE PROCEEDS FROM A PURCHASE OF MY BOOK OR CD TO THIS MISSION PROJECT. Please consider that even if this whole interview didn’t make you especially interested in my work, purchasing it will help a great religious order care for the poor. Visit this link to purchase my book or CD: https://sites.google.com/site/jaredhaze/

Thanks so much to Lisa Hendey for offering me this opportunity to share with you! And thanks to those who are able to purchase my work and help the MOPs.

Video Link

Many of us have enjoyed the music of The Priests.  Today, I wanted to share with you some additional information on these holy singing talents.  For more information or to order their new CD, visit www.thepriests.  I hope you enjoy this beautiful rendition of Amazing Grace.  The following information was submitted by their publicist and is a fascinating look at The Priests.  Lisa

The Priests are:

• Father Eugene O’ Hagan, aged 50, of the Parish of Ballyclare and Ballygowan: Church of  The Sacred Heart and Church of The Holy Family. Diocese of Down and Connor

• Father Martin O’ Hagan, aged 46, of the Parish of Cushendun: Church of St. Patrick (Craigagh), Church of St. Mary, The Star of the Sea (Culraney). Diocese of Down and Connor

• Father David Delargy, aged 46 of the Parish of Hannahstown: Church of St. Joseph and Church of St. Peter, the Rock, Diocese of Down and Connor

Accolades to date:

• Global music phenomenon of the year with more than 2 million copies of their debut album sold worldwide
• Bigger than Pavarotti – The Priests was the fastest selling classical debut album of all time – an official Guiness World Record holder.
• Press highlights include Time magazine, Observer Music Monthly, UK broadsheets and national TV
• They have pledged never to give up their “day jobs”

The Priests are a classical musical group made up of Fr Eugene O’Hagan, Fr Martin O’Hagan and Fr David Delargy. The trio met for the first time at St MacNissi’s College, County Antrim, and quickly realised their musical prowess as a singing trio. Singing was both part of prayer plus, in their spare time, they performed in local operas, musicals and choirs.

The Priests continued following their vocational training at The Seminary in Belfast and concluded their training at the revered Irish College in Rome after studying there for a total of 16 years between them. It was in Rome that their combined and rare talent was recognised, signified by the invitation of the Pope’s private secretary, the Papal Master of Ceremonies, to sing for the Pope in the sacred liturgy.

The Priests talent was soon recognised by Nick Raphael, a Sony Music record label head, and they signed to the label for a £1Million contract on the steps of Westminster Abbey in April 2008. The Priests were adamant to never allow their music commitments to stand in the way of their day jobs and parish obligations, and this is written into their contract.

The Priests debut performance was a spectacular event in Northern Ireland’s Armagh Cathedral in September 2008 where they sang a collection of classical and religious songs for a packed cathedral as well as for film cameras that were later to be broadcast coast to coast on the United States PBS channel. The concert was later released on DVD and soon became a best seller.

Their debut album, The Priests, was produced by legend Mike Hedges and Sally Herbet and released in Ireland on the 14^th November 2008 by Epic Records. Globally it sold almost 2 million copies in more than 40 countries and topped the charts in Ireland, going platinum seven times over, as well as making the top tens in album charts and hitting platinum in countries as diverse as Spain, Norway and Sweden. To mark the album release an ITV documentary was broadcast detailing their extraordinary rise from obscurity to global stardom.

The Priests have since scooped the Guinness World Record for ‘Fastest-selling UK debut for a classical act’ and been nominated for a Classical Brit. They have played in venues across the world, playing live to 3,000 people in Sydney and to 6,000 people at a homecoming gig in June 2009. Other accolades include a personal invitation to sing for The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall as well as starting out their tour with a performance in the presence of HM The and Mary McAleese, the President of Ireland at a huge peace and reconciliation charity.

Their rise to global stardom has been documented across the world’s print including headline features in the Washington Post, Time Magazine and Observer Music Monthly and they have appeared in TV shows across the world with artists from Tom Jones to The Killers including the BBC’s coveted Jonathan Ross show and the News at Ten with Sir Trevor MacDonald.

Their second album, Harmony, is now available from Sony label Epic. The album features tracks such as The Lord’s Prayer and Amazing Grace.

Complete Harmony for the Singing Priests

The Priests, the singing global superstars who broke the Guinness world record for the fastest selling classical debut album of all time, are releasing their second album in November. The album, entitled Harmony, will feature tracks such as The Lord’s Prayer and Amazing Grace and will be released once again by Sony label, Epic.

The Priests, brothers Fathers Martin and Eugene O’Hagan and Father David Delargy, were young school friends when they first sang together at the age of  12 (Martin and David) and 15 (Eugene).  Their love of singing continued whilst studying for the priesthood in Rome.  Once ordained, all three took up parish commitments.  Singing was both part of prayer plus, in their spare time, they performed in local operas, musicals and choirs.  In February 2008, a record company scout knocked on their door and asked them to make a demo.  The rest, as they say is history.  The Priests never allow their music commitments to stand in the way of their day jobs and parish obligations.   So adamant are they that their priestly duties must come first, their recording contract stipulates that they will never be asked to put record promotion ahead of their pastoral work.

Since signing the £ million contract on the steps of Westminster Cathedral in April 2008, the Priests have enjoyed phenomenal global success. The release of their first album The Priests lead to them being nominated for a Classical Brit.  If that wasn’t enough they have given one off performances to The President of Ireland, The Prince Of Wales and The Duchess Of Cornwall and last but no means least, Her Majesty The Queen.

The full time Priests and part time pop stars have performed live shows in Australia, the UK, America, Canada and Ireland, been front page news in some of the world’s largest publications, including Time magazine and The Washington Post.  They have appeared on TV shows across the world with artists from Tom Jones to The Killers and made whistle stop visits to over 17 countries. They have even been interviewed by Jonathan Ross on his coveted prime time chat show as well as making the 10 o’ clock news with Sir Trevor McDonald. Their attraction then is evident, but Harmony proves once again that their talent is their most enduring feature and that 30 years of practicing paid off.

For more information or to order the new CD, visit www.thepriests.

A big thanks to friend and fellow podcaster Sean “The Duct Tape Guy” McGauhey for the following tip about a great upcoming St. Patrick’s Day celebration.  Sean shares:

With a name like Sean McGaughey and being a musician, it is no surprise that I was asked to play a few tunes at my parish’s St. Patrick’s Day social next week.  As I was rehearsing my set of favorite traditional Irish songs, I had an idea.   (Hey where did we go? Days when the rains came.  Down in a holler…”)   For fun, why not have a Catholic Musician’s Ceili  (ceidleigh?  coeli?) using both live streaming performances and spinning videos by Catholic musicians.  The music will not exactly be limited to celtic music because on St. Patrick’s Day, everybody is Irish.

From around 3-5 pm EST on March 17, head on over to catholicroundup.com . I’ll have a link there to my live stream.  I’m planning to play my St. Patrick’s day set live, and then put on my VJ hat, showing videos from some wonderful Cathoic artists.  There may also be live ustream performances by other Catholic musicians to be announced.  Join us live on March 17 at catholicroundup.com .  If you are a Catholic musician who would like to participate in the festivities by streaming a performance, or sending along some videos, drop me a line at catholicroundup@gmail.com.

During the course of this great evening, we had the opportunity to hear Jackie Kelley sing her new song “Stronger”.  I was able to find this video of Jackie online, and I’m so happy to share it with you.  There is something about the words to this song that truly captures what’s in my heart these days.  God has blessed my life so abundantly, and I wake up every day wanting to do more for those around me as a sign of my love for Him.

Lord I want you to know that I am grateful in every way
that’s why the longing in my heart keeps getting stronger every day
through every trial and experience
my love for you is serious
since you have shown me the way…
Stronger by Jackie Kelley

p.s. That dessert up there was up for auction – we weren’t the winning bidders, but I walked away from this night feeling like a true winner for having had such a great date with my husband.

Video Link

Video Link

Please introduce our readers to yourself and your family.

I am Adrianne Powell Price and have been blessed with my husband, Thom, for 23 years.  We have been blessed with our son, Spencer, who is a graduate of homeschooling and is a freshman at the University of Dallas.  We live in Birmingham, AL, where Thom is the Program Director for EWTN’s radio network.  We are blessed with 7 Godchildren and several “adopted Godchildren”.

Please tell us a bit about your musical training and educational background.

I started singing at 12 years of age, began singing professionally at about 15 and graduated from the Univ. of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music with a BM in Vocal Performance.  Here is where the REAL story of how the Lord has blessed me:  from age 18 – nearly 38, I was plagued with vocal nodules from too much singing (4-5 hours of daily practice at the Conservatory).  It took me 6 years to get my undergraduate degree because I was forever having to go on voice rest.  When I graduated, my professors and doctors told me I’d never be a soloist.  I could lightly sing in choruses, but not have a solo career. That’s what they told me.

I have read that your faith journey took you through a time of separation from the Church.  Would you please expound upon this and let us know how you came back into the fullness of the Church.

I went through a crisis of faith, left the Catholic Church, got into doing regional and national voice overs, went to Los Angeles and got into the film industry, and sang in a choir under Gregorian Chant master, Dr. Paul Salamunovich.  Spencer was born while we were living in LA and it was an older woman who babysat for us who helped to bring us back into the Catholic Church by her zeal for the Church and by her example.

How have you come to focus on the type of music you now perform?

We moved to Minneapolis for awhile, had an incredible conversion experience while being parishioners of Holy Family Church, in St. Louis Park, MN.  Within 1 1/2 years of living in Minneapolis, the Lord answered our prayer of him finding work in a Christ-centered company.  EWTN hired him to come work for the radio network.  On the feast of St. Blaise in 1998, I surrendered my singing voice and nodules and begged the Lord to heal me of the nodules.  I prayed, “Lord, if the healing of my voice aids in the salvation of my soul or anyone who hears me, through the intercession of St. Blaise, please heal me.”  To this day, I have had no sign of ever having nodules.  There are no scars.  The Lord healed me and this CD is my way of saying “Thank You, Jesus, for hearing my prayer.  For You, I will only sing sacred music to thank You for all You have done for me.”

What type of music do you enjoy personally?

I enjoy listening to a variety of music.  It all depends on what my mood is.  I really enjoy Sacred polyphony and Gregorian chant, but I also enjoy Pop Classical music (like Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, Il Divo, and the Swingle Singers); Renaissance and Baroque music (a GREAT singer of that genre is Julianne Baird); and oldies (Frank Sinatra, Louis Prima, Rosemary Clooney).

With Lent coming up, how does music play a part in your family’s devotions?

Music plays an important part of Lent, as it should throughout the year.  I decorate my home with touches of purple during Advent and Lent; white during Christmas and Easter; and green during Ordinary time, usually with colored candles that are kept lit most of the time.  I try to do the same with the music I play.  This is a time of solemn reflection and anticipation.  When we go to the market or other stores, we’re bombarded with loud secular Christmas music.  Our homes should be a refuge from the world, where peace and prayerfulness is something we try to experience within ourselves and provide for those around us.  Hopefully, we can carry that prayerful peace out into the world.  Soft Gregorian chant is helpful.  I also enjoy an album I found by the Van Trapp family that I play all year round.

A bit of advice I’d like to pass on to parents of teens:  playing sacred music softly in the background helps to keep everyone’s moods calm and I believe the devil just hates it when we play that kind of music, too.  It sure helped us get through a couple of difficult years with our teen!

How can listeners learn more about your music and order your CD?

For more information about “Sacred Classics” go to:  www.adrianneprice.com

Go to the newly redesigned and very spiffy website of Aftermass Records to read all about this team effort.  Fifteen awesome songs, two uplifting videos and your opportunity to help make a difference with your prayers and support – it all awaits you at www.aftermassrecords.com.  As I’m writing this, I’m jamming to some great music by some of my favorites and a few newly discovered friends too. I have to say that I’m absolutely in love with “Simple Song” by Rich Dittus, and the Popple guys already know how much I LOVE “Salt & Light”.  With this download you’ll get these, and tons of other great songs as well – lots of different styles, but all great music!

I hope we’ll all support this amazing effort – if you’re a blogger, please help me share this good news by posting this on your site, or share it with your friends at Facebook.  Great job Aftermass!

Video Link

Please briefly introduce yourself and your family.

My name is Lisa Howard and I am 32 years old. I have been married to my Husband, Adam for 5 and a half years and we have 3 children named Matilda who is 3 and a half years, Tristan who is 2 and a half years, and baby Quinlann who is now 12 months old.

I am a full time Mother and work from home part time, teaching singing to people of all ages.

Please share about your musical background- is this your first CD? What led you into the music field and enabled you to produce this lovely CD?

I have been classically trained as a Soprano since the age of 14and continue to have the occasional lesson for a “tune up”.  I completed my Associate Diploma of Music at the Australian Institute of Music and continued to perform in various shows for other musicians and directors (during my studies) as well as my own shows and solo work in Perth, Sydney and Overseas in London.

I now sing in my local parish as well as impromptu performances about town or for the promotion of the CD. My most recent and major performance was singing at the World Youth Day Festival at Darling Harbour in Sydney last year.

Whispers of My Spirit is my debut album.  I was led into the music field by my passion and the need to sing.

First of all I wanted to pursue a career in Musical Theatre, however, I was never content and didn’t really believe in what I was doing. It lacked my focus and vocal purpose……I just didn’t seem to fit in.

It wasn’t until I personally experienced the Love of God in my life after going back to the church, that I realised how much I desired to sing for God on all levels of my being.

When I began to sing in Church, people felt closer to God and became emotionally charged. It was through this, and my own faith walk, that I wanted to help people and give so much more than just singing at a Sunday Mass. I wanted to be instrumental in God’s healing Love through my singing and music.

I prayed, fasted and discerned about it a lot more than “usual”.  I had a desire and yearning to make a healing CD. I didn’t know when? or how? But I knew I would do it. It was through being open to God’s will and I would bump into musicians,  people in the industry, and  people from reputable music institutes.  They were able to help me, and could hear what I wanted to do.

The prospect of pursuing this project further on both sides was becoming evident. They were excited creatively, having not worked on a project similar to mine.  I may add that this discernment period became at times very frustrating due to many set backs along the way but the desire to continue was still there.

Can you tell us a bit about the process of selecting the songs for the CD and the actual recording process?

The selection of the 4 copyright songs completed the ‘healing’ theme for the CD and having sung them before they held a special place in my heart.

The 4 copyright songs on the CD were also fitting for the other 6 originals that were my own prayers, and they each flowed on from the other working towards ministry.

I wanted to make the CD a healing/prayerful journey opening up with ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ and ending it lightly with God’s blessing and reassurance, hence the last song being ‘The Lord Bless You and keep You’.

In regards to the recording process I had 2 solid hours every Saturday over a 10 week period, to work with an arranger and figure out musically how the songs were to be structured and the overall  musical theme and tune of the song.  We would quickly record them with the piano backing and then pass them through to another arranger/composer to complete the final orchestrations and have all the songs completed, edited ready for the real and final recording.

Being 7 and a half months pregnant for the final recording, time was of the essence due to the restrictions I had with breathing and the expectation of  solid vocal quality within the songs.  I worked one full solid day from 10am -5pm over a 3 and a half week period.

To cut down on major costs in regards to studio hiring and labour, the production manager maintained a state of the art home studio set up with hi-tech equipment and modern music programmes that had come about from the U.S.  This programme was very effective in helping me achieve the overall sound and feeling of the CD.

The music is predominantly piano and strings. The songs had been pre-recorded with the pianist and arranger making changes to suit the style and theme of the CD. This was also done in their own time, and we would maintain contact via the web. The backing music for the songs on the CD had previously been pre recorded and were ready to be used purely for the vocal recording.

In this instance, it reduced the amount of ‘recording live’ sessions, and the necessity of all the musicians together at one time, which was incredibly impossible due to their own work demands elsewhere.

As a busy wife and mum, how do you find the time for your music? How does being a mum impact upon your creative process?

My time for my music can range however, when I am doing monotonous chores like the dishes, I feel and hear God’s presence of music and will quickly jot down the words or tune.

During the children’s sleep time I try and journal  or just sit and contemplate. Praying the Rosary (sometimes not finished) helps me unwind as well.

I have been extremely blessed with a supportive husband who allows me to achieve and if it’s viable, he can take care of the children for a couple of hours on a week-end or week night.  Unity and compromise have won, however, this stage of our relationship can sometimes take little longer than others!

In the long run it means that we are both happy and supportive of each other, which works (prayer helps too).

Being a mum, I think makes me so much more creative than any other time for the reason, that every emotion and feeling within myself is challenged and discovered, it creates an opportunity to express that into song.

You experience love on so many levels because of the love you have for your children and this is a reflection of God’s love for us.  Love is always a core catalyst to express something creative and beautiful if it’s for someone or something.

Having 3 young dependant children I am very limited to my spare time that when I have an opportunity, I maximise it wisely and push that little bit further than what I could the day before. This keeps me focused on quality.

I may add that my continued pregnancies within this period made me more determined to finish what I started.

On a more serious level, the birth of my first baby Daughter was extremely traumatic and our lives were in God’s hands. I was tested severely in trusting God, my faith and how he allows situations to happen that aren’t joyful, but will one day fit a much greater and bigger picture in his plan for us.

It was through this experience I embraced Motherhood so soundly. I retreated more within myself to search and pray on a deeper level and the completion of my songs for the CD came about.  I had once again experienced God, and his healing Love for me on a deeper level than previously before.

It took a while to make the decision of “yes” I am going to physically make a CD and the time is nigh, because I was struggling with the fact that I had this most precious, gorgeous and healthy baby girl and I was loving Motherhood but I still yearned to sing and keep focused on my dream.

I felt guilty due to the fact I had achieved something so incredibly wonderful and I should just be content with that.

I experienced an inner struggle of thinking is this me and my human level of selfishness? Or is it really God’s will? as the desire consistently consumed my thoughts and who I was as a Mother and myself, Lisa Howard.

I have always been passionate about being a Mother and being able to maintain my singing alongside fulfilling my dreams and desires, particularly if they were from God. I kept asking in prayer that “surely with the grace and being Gods will it’s possible to combine both.”

I knew there was only one way to find out and that was to step out in faith and make the first move in getting started.

In a nut shell my introduction into Motherhood was raw and real, but through this initial phase, it catapulted me into making a healing CD with the completed written material content for my songs.

How has your faith journey influenced your work as a musician?

When I decided to come back to my faith, I experienced Gods love in an overwhelming way that my whole self and direction in life changed.

My Mum having been a witness to me during this moment, also had a deeper conversion and healing.  I realised in heart, mind, body and spirit that God had created me for his purpose and I was excited to find out.

My original plan didn’t work out, so I was open to letting go of everything and just wait on God seeing that he gave me life in the first place and I was prepared to give it back to him.

Through this year of transition and growth God took me on my own journey of healing and forgiveness of my past (prior to my daughter’s birth scenario) that I gained an understanding as to why I had made many mistakes and choices.

Over time I didn’t realise I had morphed myself into somebody I wasn’t. I was actually running away from the real me, who was actually a broken, vulnerable person and had been for a very long time. The career and life I was chasing was a bandaid I kept replacing.

It took grace to find this out and have a deeper understanding to the poignant questions in life.

In this particular year I continued to journal my experiences, and there a pattern emerged of prayers that were the actual beginning material for my songs on the CD.

I felt that one day I wanted to share Gods healing Love with so many. And I didn’t want the songs to be ‘fluffy’ , As Gods true joy is experienced in great suffering and we can truly appreciate a blessing when it comes.

I wanted the songs to portray the effect of our humanity with God, and the realness of our relationship with him.

Circumstances in life beyond our control can really hurt sometimes, but  become pivotal in changing our whole being and direct us to do something good, give purpose and most of all give God the Glory.

In embracing the cross I found who I was, what I was running from and what I needed to do.

I couldn’t keep the Miraculous Lord to myself , and I have never believed in something so much, that I couldn’t not share it.

The CD had become a desire by then, however the birth of my first daughter was the conclusive point in which I made the commitment to make the CD really happen.

What has been really refreshing of late is hearing how some of the words in the songs have really touched people deeply. What I love most is that in my moments of hardship and pain, God has used this to annoint somone else and the suffering isn’t in vain. It actually has power to turn someones heart around ……….back to God.

Who are some of your favourite musicians and musical influences?

I would have to say that I have a fair list of names. They are predominantly known for their singing. They are:

Enya , Sarah Brightman, Lisa Gerrard , Cecilia, The Secret Garden and Marina Prior.

I fell in love with the music from The Passion of the Christ, and Lord of the Rings.

How can readers learn more about your music or order your CD?

Whispers of my Spirit is my debut album. You can order it on line on my website www.lisahoward.com.au. It’s $20 AUS plus postage and handling. I usually work on a cheque or wire transfer for purchase.  Otherwise it is stocked in the Catholic bookshop Shop here in Perth, W.A.  I am thinking that my website is more convenient and a better way to purchase.  You can actually view and listen to the songs on my website.

The website is updated with information from time to time and I am currently working on an information page, as well as material towards further promotion and another CD.

Are there any additional comments you’d like to share with our readers?

I am most grateful for your support.  Motherhood is by far the highest and best vocation God calls us to and what more of a role model could we have than ‘Our Lady’ . I must say that a lot of her intercession has kept me grounded and still continues to do so today.  Your children don’t always do as they are asked and God can minister his healing Love to us in the best of times !!

God Bless You greatly.

For more information on the music of Lisa Howard visit her website at http://www.lisahoward.com.au/

What if Jesus said to you that He only wanted one New Year’s Resolution. With that as a premise — Deacon Tom explores what ONE THING he would resolve in 2010. And what might your’s be?

Sarah Reinhard shares her struggle with resolutions and a suggestion from My Ideal: Jesus, Son of Mary, by Fr. Emil Neubert.

Please consider joining us in support of the SQPN.com Giving Campaign.  Your donations will help us to continue in this important evangelization work.

This episode of Catholic Moments is sponsored by CatholicMatch.com, the Leading Catholic Singles Community.  Share your feedback at 206-339-9272, comment here on the blog or email lisa@catholicmom.com.

Links for this Episode:

• Annie Karto
• A Conversation with Dan and Ry
• SQPN Giving Campaign
• Yoursphere
• Current CatholicMom.com Contests
• CatholicMom.com Book Club
• The Catholic Company
• Lisa’s Facebook Profile, SQPN Connect Page, Plurk, Twitter
• Catholic Mom Logo Store

Subscribe to the feed | Subscribe with iTunes

Alma Mater is a stirring and highly emotional collection of eight original pieces of modern classical music. The release is a true event, marking the very first time that the Voice of Pope Benedict XVI has been captured on disc, speaking and singing in Latin, Italian, Portuguese, French and German, thanks to the audio recordings of Vatican Radio.  Proceeds from the album sales will be used to provide music education for underprivileged children around the world.

The album will feature His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, reciting and singing passages and prayers, accompanied by The Choir of the Philharmonic Academy of Rome, conducted by Monsignor Pablo Colino, Maestro Emeritus of St. Peter’s Basilica and recorded in St Peter’s Basilica. The world famous Royal Philharmonic Orchestra plays on all of the specially commissioned contemporary tracks, and was recorded at the iconic Abbey Road studios in London.

Simon Boswell, Stefano Mainetti and Nour Eddine are the three contemporary composers who have contributed the eight specially commissioned pieces of music for Alma Mater.   Vincent Messina, producer of Alma Mater, commented, “These three composers are world class and my first choices for the album.  A happy co-incidence is that Stefano is Catholic, Simon is ‘undeclared’ and Nour Eddine is Muslim, thus perfectly representing our aim to produce an album that has universal appeal to all of those who love beautiful music.”   Collectively, the trio of writers boasts an impressive resume of film scores, TV series and stage productions from around the world.

The CD is now available for purchase through Ignatius Press.  Additionally, if you would like to share this wonderful music with others, why not consider sending a lovely Alma Mater e-card here?  You can also download two songs from the CD by visiting this website.

To enter to win this contest, you must leave a comment on this post with a valid email address (which won’t be published or shared) before Midnight PST on December 22, 2009.  I’ll draw five random winners and announce the winners when the contest has ended.

Update: Our lucky winners are Carmella (#10), Kayla (#37), Christine (#23), Susan (#34) and Shelly (#5). Your prizes will be sent soon.  Take a look at our other CatholicMom.com contests for more great chances to win!

Sarah Reinhard brings us a Mary Moment with Deacon flair!  Sarah and Deacon Tom Fox discuss devotion to the Blessed Mother, including the self consecration to Mary, Louis de Montfort’s True Devotion to Mary, the Madonna House, and Sarah’s column on Our Lady of Combermere.  Don’t forget to contact Deacon Tom at his Catholic Vitamins podcast to get one of the free copies of the “Discerning Your Gifts” brochure.

We close the show this week with a debut of the terrific Popple song Salt and Light from their new CD “Hip Hip Hooray”.  Check out the Popple website and download or order your copy of Hip Hip Hooray today.

We are thrilled to announce our partnership with CatholicMatch.com as they begin sponsoring this podcast.  Please support CatholicMatch.com and be sure to enter our current CatholicMatch.com for your opportunity to win a three month membership to the Leading Catholic Singles Community.

This episode of Catholic Moments is sponsored by CatholicMatch.com, the Leading Catholic Singles Community.  Share your feedback at 206-339-9272, comment here on the blog or email lisa@catholicmom.com.

Links for this Episode:

• Fr. Andrew Gawrych, C.S.C.:
  • The Cross, Our Only Hope: Daily Reflections in the Holy Cross Tradition
  • The Gift of Hope: Advent and Christmas Reflections in the Holy Cross Tradition
  • The Gift of the Cross: Lenten Reflections in the Holy Cross Tradition
• Current CatholicMom.com Contests – Rosary Workout Book Contest, CatholicMatch.com Membership Contest
• CatholicMom.com Book Club
• The Catholic Company
• Lisa’s Facebook Profile, SQPN Connect Page, Plurk, Twitter
• Catholic Mom Logo Store

Subscribe to the feed | Subscribe with iTunes

Please introduce us to yourself and your family.

People call me Sean Clive – probably because my mom and dad gave me that name.  I love being married to Jennifer (Buckley) Clive – high school sweetheart, college sweetheart, married since 1995.  I am the lucky dad to five children (so far) – Emma, Maggie, Brigid (Biddie), Seamus and Eoin (pronounced Owen) – affectionately known as the “Clive Five”.  Both Jen and I are the oldest of 5 children.  So the excitement of our family life has been ingrained for many years.  We live in beautiful upstate NY (central NY – near Utica) right between the Clive and the Buckley homesteads – close to everything and everyone.  We are parishioners of St. Patrick-St. Anthony Parish in Chadwicks, NY (where I grew up).  I am the choir / music director at the parish (and have been since 1994).  Although I sing at 2 Masses on Sunday, Jen brings the wee ones to 10:30 Mass when people are the friendliest to lots of crazy kids.

How did you come to a career in music, and specifically a career in Catholic music?

I grew up in a house where music was always present – my mom LOVED to sing.  She was also one of those extremely loving and insightful moms.  She knew what was best for me and what I would enjoy long before I had a clue.  It was my mom who set me up with guitar lessons and pushed me to join the school choir – when being a boy and singing in choir were generally mutually exclusive and definitely not “cool”.  In college as part of the Colgate 13 (an all-male acapella singing group – check out I Can See Clearly Now on the Double Indemnity Album – http://www.colgate13.com/album_info.php?AlbumID=19), my fear of audiences slowly faded and my enjoyment for performance increased.  Upon graduating, our new priest was told (by my mom) that I would be willing to lead the then new music program at St. Anthony’s.  I have been doing that since.

I loved music ministry in the Church – especially when everyone sings.  I have been blessd with a parish of singers.  But I have loved all kinds of music since I was a boy.  So, I felt compelled to begin to put the two together.  I am Catholic and love my faith – I am a musician and love music, so combine the two and you get me.  Of course, I would not classify my own music as all that liturgical (though some songs can be used liturgically – such as the Glory To God from Amazed).  Much of my music is more – listen, relate and enjoy music.

I should say that my Catholic music “career” is part-time as I still need to support a family of five hungry caterpillars.  God blessed me with a great job right after I completed college which has given me the opportunity to also glorify Him through my family and my music.  But, after many, many hours of prayer and discernment, we feel that full-time music ministry is not what we are called to do (at this time).  If God has other plans, which is His perogative, we’re ready for the challenge.

Please give us an overview of What I’ve Settled For.  What inspired the CD and how does it differ from Amazed?

WISF is basically Amazed on a light steroid regimen.  The new CD involved the same people as Amazed (my wife and I, David Smith, producer extraordinaire and Jacob Souva, graphic design and artist), so it is similar in that way.  It is also similar to Amazed in that the music is a little different than what is out there right now in both Christian music and Catholic music especially regarding production, songwriting and presentation.  The new CD, like Amazed, is a truly “indie” project.  It was funded through the generosity of our friends, fans and family.  Both are the result of an outpouring of love from everyone involved -from prayers and words of encouragement to generous monetary gifts.

With WISF, however, the songs are more personal in nature, more mature, more about me / us.  They were written over a longer period of time and most are about things that we have experienced (that most of us experience in one way or another) as Catholics, as family, as parents, as friends, as spouses, as children of God.  The songs deal with struggles and pain as well as joy and love.  Of course there are the strong praise songs (especially The Everlasting which won the Christian category  in the 2007 Songdoor International Songwriting Competition) and Christ Reigns (written by Dave Smith and Nick Cardilino who cowrote the 2007 NCYC Theme song “Discover the Way”).

Each album we’ve released has had a song for or inspired by my mom (who died in 1997 of breast cancer).  She was the kind of person who shared her faith whether you knew it our not through her words and the way she lived her life.  This CD is like her – the songs are about regular life through the eyes of a regular old cradle Catholic, who loves his family and his God more than anything else.  It is really the kind of CD that anyone can enjoy.  If you don’t like guitar, you might be out of luck.  I think the CD “rocks”, as does our auxilliary bishop who loved the music when he heard it.

Speaking of Amazed, what was it like to win the recognition you earned as Songwriter of the Year and Song of the Year at the Unity Awards?

We actually won Pop/Contemporary Album, Producer and Graphic Design, too.  So I was completely blown away!  I really couldn’t believe it.  I get choked up even now thinking about it.  But it was really great, especially since people still say, “who?”.  It’s nice to be unknown so that I don’t have to deflate my head too much.  There is little pressure when you’re down here doing my music thing with God at the helm.  When you don’t have the record deals to deal with, you rely completely on God’s blessings through other people to make things happen.  But it was pretty cool to hear my name so many times during the awards.  I really did not expect that response.  It was an honor to be considered amidst the many talent Catholic musicians from around the world.  And lucky me – I got to announce Jaime Cortez’s award – I love his music!

Of course, it never would have happened without Dave Smith who helped to make the song (and CD) what it is.  He really poured so much of himself into it – I am so glad to share the awards with him.  The recognition really was one of those moments when the unknown can use what God has given and come away with the gold without anyone really knowing.

Back to “What I’ve Settled For”, what are some of your favorite songs on the CD and the stories behind them?

I really love all the songs on the CD, but my favorites are listed below.

Radio-friendly faves -

The Everlasting – This song is based on Psalm 90 and was written with Dave Smith in about 3 hours.  This is the song that won the Christian Category of the Songdoor Competition.

Into Your Arms – This song was written as I reflected on my mom’s life and death and also the then current struggles of a family friend and fellow parishioner, Richard Kies.  He was struggling with cancer and like my mom, even near the end, was able to come to Jesus in the Eucharist as He came to them to fill them with His presence.  The image I pictured was based on my own imagination of how it is at that last breath as we fall into Jesus’ outstretched arms into eternity.

Christ Reigns – Dave Smith teamed up with Nick Cardilino (co-writers of the NCYC 2007 theme song Discover The Way) to write this powerful song.  It was inspired by the theme for the 2009 NCYC Kansas City event.  When I heard this song, I LOVED it and loved singing it.

Personal faves -

The First Day – a rock song written for my new baby, Eoin.  It follows him from birth to when he eventually leaves the nest (sniff, sniff).

Just What I’ve Settled For – With 5 kids, the looks, the stares, the questions are sometimes overwhelming.  It is so easy to share your faith when the subject of conversation is your “big” family.

Kids Are Great – my tongue-in-cheek song for my #3 baby.  She is the “one” every family has one of.  And she is SO AWESOME!  She’s just sometimes a little much.  “The stories are true and I’m not lyin’ a day with Biddie might leave you cryin’”

Ordinary Way – My tip of the hat to one of my favorite sonwriters, David Gates.  I love his music and I love my wofe, so this is my love song to her.  I wish it was more.  But sometimes what it is, is all it needs to be.

Turn Away – Much of the lyric for this song was penned by my wife, Jen.  It was based on a troubling experience and the thought that the same could happen to one of our babies.

What has it been like to work with such a talented producer as Dave Smith?

God has blessed me with a great friend who happens to be (in my opinion), one of the best producers out there.  I am so grateful that our paths crossed the way they did.  I trust Dave with my songs (and if we lived closer, I’d trust him to watch my kids ).  I send him a song, he knows what I like and then he sets it up with his instrumentation.  It is amazing.  Sometimes he surprises me on his take to a song, other times it ends up exactlty how I had envisioned it.  What is also so awesome is that we share a faith and a similar perspective on life.  We love God, we love our wives and our kids, and we love to share good music with people.  I hope that more people recognize and work with this amazing man and producer.  I also hope that God keeps us working together well into the future.

Who are some of your musical influences, both Catholic and secular?

I feel like I’m influenced by everything that is good out there – at least the good stuff I like.  Beatles, Matt Maher, Steven Curtis Chapman, Joel Hanson (PFR), Bread (David Gates), Switchfoot, Moody Blues, Chicago, 80s hair bands, 70s soft rock bands, celtic bands, and so many others – I just love a good song even if it is cheesy Barry Manilow or some random disco song or a cool folk song by John Gorka.  Growing up, my mother was a showtunes fan – she was Maria in the Sound of Music in High School, so by 5 years old, I had memorized the soundtrack.  Music was all around all the time.  I actually have a hard time in the silence.

What are your plans now that the CD has been released?  What comes next for you musically and personally?

My hope is to do at leat 2 concerts / gigs a month (above my regular church responsibilities).  Since I like to include my kids in the concerts, it makes for a family friendly night (or afternoon or weekend) and keeps us all together.  I hate being away from home – it just rips me apart to go to sleep without kissing all my babies goodnight.  Like the Journey song”Faithfully”, beaing apart ain’t easy.  And my heart really can’t take too much of it.

We are in the process of setting up some concerts herre in NY and the Northeast.  So, perhaps people will be able to make a show or two.  I would love to be part of some of the big Catholic events like Steubenville East and Proud 2B Catholic.  But the doors have not yet opened for those events, yet.

Personally, the garden we grew for the first time last year doubled in size this spring, so that will keep us busy with tomato plants, peppers, pumpkins, etc…  I also hope to get out and fish with the kids a little more this year.  This year I promised my Emma that I would not hook her like I did last year.  I think I’ll be praying to all the apostles as so many were fishermen.

Are there any additional thoughts you’d like to share with our readers?

Feel free to check out the music for free (it streams free – both of the new CDs – on my website).  If they are in the Northeast, keep me in mind for concerts or events.  We have a van for the fam and are ready to travel.

We love to hear what people think of our music – compliments only

Visit Sean Clive at www.SeanClive.com.