Fauré Requiem Mass of Remembrance
The Covenant Community Combined Choir and Guests
What is a Requiem?
A Requiem is a Mass for the repose of the souls of the dead. It is also a musical composition setting parts of a requiem Mass, for example Mozart Requiem, or Faure Requiem. It is offered for the repose of the soul or souls of one or more deceased persons. The Mass and its settings draw their name from the introit of the liturgy, which begins with the words "Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine" – "Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord." Want to experience a Requiem? Come to Mass Saturday November 2 at 4:30pm for the Faure Requiem in its liturgical setting!
Who was Gabriel Fauré ?
Gabriel Urbain Fauré (May 12, 1845 – November 4, 1924) was a French composer, organist, pianist and teacher. He was one of the foremost French composers of his generation, and his musical style influenced many 20th-century composers. Among his best-known works are his Pavane, Requiem, Sicilienne, nocturnes for piano and the songs "Après un rêve" and "Clair de lune". Although his best-known and most accessible compositions are generally his earlier ones, Fauré composed many of his most highly regarded works in his later years, in a more harmonically and melodically complex style. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriel_Faur%C3%A9
About the Guest Organist:
Rebecca Marie Yoder, Organ. Ms. Yoder began studying the organ with Mickey Thomas Terry at the age of fourteen. She was the first place winner of the Washington D. C. Chapter 2009 American Guild of Organists/Quimby Regional Competition for Young Organists. Her performances include solo recitals at the Great Upper Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, and Washington National Cathedral. She was also a featured recitalist at the 2016 National Convention of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians in Houston, TX. Rebecca earned the Master of Music degree in Organ Performance from Rice University, studying with Ken Cowan. Previously, she graduated summa cum laude from Duquesne University with a Bachelor of Music degree, studying under Ann Labounsky. She currently serves as the Director of Music of St. Columba Catholic Church in Oxon Hill, MD, while additionally teaching music classes at St. Columba School.
About the Guest Artists:
Sofiya Schug, Mezzo-Soprano. Mrs. Schug has appeared in the ensemble of the Light Opera Company of Southern Maryland’s production of The Magic Flute. She subsequently sang the role of Rosina in Il barbiere di Sivigia in a joint production of COSMIC Orchestra and the Light Opera Company, and was the alto soloist in Handel’s Messiah with COSMIC. She won her category in the District NATS competition twice. She has performed in recitals and concerts in the D.C. Metropolitan area, sung with the University of Maryland Concert Choir at the Kennedy Center and at Strathmore Music Hall. This is her second year singing as a guest artist for Jesus the Good Shepherd. She resides in Huntingtown, Maryland with her husband and three sons, Sam, Andrew and Daniel.
William H. Thayer (Bill), Baritone. Mr. Thayer has been a member of the JGS Choir for a number of years. Growing up in a military family, his early music education included study at the Frankfurter Hochschule fϋr Muzik, Frankfurt, Germany. After returning stateside, he studied Music Education at the University of New Mexico and recently retired with 41 years of service as a public school music and technology teacher. Bill’s family of five are all musicians: wife Melinda, local music educator, son Will, III MEF Marine Band in Okinawa, Japan, son Michael, cavalry officer with the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany, and daughter Marianne a music education student at Towson University. Bill has been a member of choirs performing at the Vatican and at two Papal Masses here in the states for Saint Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis.