Diocese extends invitation to all music lovers

Intermountain Catholic

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Composers like Alfonso Tenreiro, shown in this 2011 photo, are invited to showcase their works at the upcoming Diocesan Music Festival. IC file photo

SALT LAKE CITY – The Diocesan Music Festival is back this year, inviting music lovers from all over the Diocese of Salt Lake City to participate.

On Saturday, Feb. 22, Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Draper will host the annual event.

"The musical festival is not only open to choirs but also to musical groups as well as to composers," said Ruth Dillon, director of the diocesan Office of Music and Liturgy, who is hosting the event, which is free and open to everyone.

This year, for the first time, the music festival is inviting local composers "so they can come and share their music," said Dillon.

Already two composers have agreed to participate in the event: Scott Larrabee of Saint Vincent de Paul Parish and Christopher Huntzinger of Saint Ambrose Parish. Dillon said that this festival is a great opportunity for composers to share their music because frequently it is hard for their work to be published.

The event is still in the beginning stages of planning and Dillon wants to extend the invitation to all the sacred music lovers from around the diocese, no matter their language.

"All the public is invited to listen. You don’t have to be a choir to come; anybody that is interested in music can come. … They can sign along, they can listen, they can play. It is for the music ministers, but anyone that wants to come in the diocese is more than welcome," said Dillon.

The event will be a way for people to get together, share their talents and have an afternoon of fun, she said, "Anybody that would like to participate with a musical group, a choir or small group is more than welcome to participate," said Dillon, adding that they can choose to play any sacred music.

The event is scheduled to last two hours but that may vary, depending on participation.

"At this moment we are thinking a piece per each participant, but that can change," said Dillon.

Over the years that the Diocesan Music Festival has been in place, Hispanic choirs, children’s choirs, the Tongan choir and many more have shared their music with the attendees to the event.

Dillon suggests that anyone who is interested in participating as performers in the Diocesan Music Festival get in contact with her as soon as possible.

"People may think that it is something formal, like the Cathedral Choir and it is not," she said. "It is for any musical group, so you may have two people, you may have eight people, you may have 30 people. … It is for parish musicians."

The deadline to RSVP as musicians is Feb. 1. Contact Dillon 801-328-8641, ext. 363 or ruth.dillon@dioslc.org.

WHAT: Diocesan Music Festival

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 22

WHERE: Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church, 300 East 11800 South, Draper

All music lovers and parish musicians are invited to this free event.

For information, call 801-328-8641, ext. 363