Saint Rita Fine Arts Series
“How often does the rich biblical and patristic tradition stress the effectiveness of song and sacred music in moving and uplifting hearts to penetrate, so to speak, the intimate depths of God's life itself!”
-Pope Benedict XVI
Through our season’s events, Saint Rita Fine Arts promotes the Church’s decree that sacred music is “a treasure of inestimable value.” Our offerings, both sacred and secular, explore great works of art from the historical and continuing legacy of the Church, and from “the rich diversity of the cultural heritage of the many peoples of our country.” We present artists of local, national, and international acclaim for the benefit of the Saint Rita Catholic Community and the greater community of north Texas.
2010-2011 Calendar
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“Dancing Under the Stars” featuring The Rodney Booth Big Band
Saturday, September 11, 2010, 7:00pm–11:00pm, On the Plaza
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!! Saint Rita Fine Arts kicks off the year with an event for the entire community. Our plaza will be the stage for a fun evening of fellowship, food, and dancing. The Rodney Booth Big Band plays standards from Duke Ellington to Count Basie, from Frank Sinatra to Harry Connick, Jr., and a bit of Motown and pop. Bring a picnic dinner, your favorite beverage, and your dancing shoes. Kick back and relax or cut a rug! Tables and dancing area provided – families are welcome. Enjoy a late summer’s evening under the stars at Saint Rita!
Wesley Beal and Friends: Heavenly Sounds
Sunday, October 17, 2010, 7:30pm
Wesley Beal, Saint Rita’s organist and assistant director of music, is joined by cellist Gayane Manasjan and violinist Lucas Aleman of the Dallas Symphony as they present some of the most heavenly music ever composed for organ, piano, and strings. Virtuosic organ works of Bach, Dandrieu, and Dupré are followed by stunning trios for violin, cello, and piano by Felix Mendelssohn and Gwyneth Walker.
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 19, 2010, 7:30pm
The Choirs of Saint Rita present the 23nd annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, one of the great traditions of our holiday observances. Readings from the Old and New Testaments tell the Christmas story and are adorned with traditional carols and hymns. From the opening candlelight procession to Christmas favorites such as “O Come, All Ye Faithful” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” the beauty and splendor of this service is sure to put everyone in the Christmas spirit.
Memorial Concert: in Honor of All the Saints
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 7:30pm
Saint Rita Fine Arts presents its annual tribute to the faithful departed with a concert featuring works in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints. The Saint Rita Choir and Schola Cantorum, together with orchestra and organ, will present Mozart’s Regina Coeli, Josquin’s Ave Maria…virgo serena, selections from d’Astorga’s Stabat Mater, and works by Tavener, Stanford, Bainton, Fauré, spirituals and hymns.
The Meadows Wind Ensemble of SMU
featuring West Side Story Concert Suite
Sunday, May 1, 2011, 7:30pm
One of the country’s most acclaimed groups of its kind, the Meadows Wind Ensemble has garnered national and international acclaim through performances, world premiers of new works, and prize winning recordings. Led by conductor Jack Delaney and composed of the finest winds, brass and percussionists from the Meadows School of the Arts, the Wind Ensemble performs a broad and diverse range of literature. For Saint Rita they present new and classic works for winds, and as a special treat, the beloved music from Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story.
Ireland Tour Bon Voyage Concert
Tuesday, June 21, 2011, 7:30pm
The Saint Rita Choir and Schola Cantorum present a preview of the music they will sing as part of their summer tour of Ireland. While in Ireland the choirs will be in residence at the famed Pro-Cathedral in Dublin. Choral masterpieces by Palestrina, Byrd, Croce and Stanford, American and English a cappella works, and African-American spirituals will be featured. A reception in Sweeney Hall will follow the concert.