Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts

Lent at Ephesus: No. 1 on Billboard’s Classical Overall Music Chart


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Lent at Ephesus from the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles debuted at No. 1 on Billboard magazine’s Classical Overall Music Chart and Classical Traditional Music Chart this week. The album also earned the No. 49 spot on Billboard’s Top 200 Chart, the No. 2 spot on the Contemporary Christian Chart and the No. 3 spot on the Christian Gospel and Internet charts.

The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles bested albums from prominent classical music articles such as Andrea Bocelli, the Piano Guys and Il Divo, among others.

The Sisters’ second album, ANGELS AND SAINTS AT EPHESUS, skyrocketed back up the Billboard charts, earning the No. 4 spot on the Classical Overall Chart, the No. 23 spot on the Contemporary Christian and Christian Gospel charts, and the No. 35 spot on the Internet chart.

“We are amazed and humbled by the undeniable role of Divine Providence in the success story behind the ethereal music from the monastic Benedictines of Mary,” said Monica Fitzgibbons, co-founder of De Montfort Music. “Even more remarkable is the sentiment which resounds throughout their faithful life which is this: It is wonderful to do great things for God but even more wonderful to be something great for God. We congratulate the Sisters on their collective FIAT and extend our gratitude to all who have made possible this uplifting chart-topping success!”

LENT AT EPHESUS is a stunning compilation of poignant chants, elaborate harmonies and inspiring hymns of glory and redemption produced by Grammy Award-winning classical producer Blanton Alspaugh.

Founded in 1995, The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles are a young, monastic order of Sisters. The Sisters sing together eight times a day as they chant the Divine Office in Latin.

Listen to “Children of the Sun” at fscc-calledtobe.org

Sean Michael Showalter’s “Children of The Sun” is the discerning Song of the Month, a free download at www.fscc-calledtobe.org.
Sean Michael Showalter
Sean Michael Showalter
Austin based Singer – Songwriter Sean Michael Showalter wrote “Children of the Sun”  “….to promote brotherly love and to look beyond the walls our egos have built up.  Even I, a reborn Christian, admit that my beliefs are a result of my collective life experience and my perception of reality. I hope my song will help us look beyond the differences in religions and ideologies that separate us; that it can help us practice love and tolerance for one another in-spite of our disagreements; that we are all God’s children, brothers and sisters, or Children of the Sun.”
Showalter was born with a gift of singing and was creating songs on the playground as early as he can remember. Earliest influences include the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Stevie Wonder. Currently he also plays with Red Street, a mix of Gospel, Blues, Funk, Soul, Rock & Jazz.  The band exists to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, and to help heal the world through music.

In his recent Gospel of Joy, Pope Francis also invites “all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ.  No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since ‘no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord’. The Lord does not disappoint those who take this risk; whenever we take a step towards Jesus, we come to realize that he is already there, waiting for us with open arms.”
Established in 1869, the Roman Catholic Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity serve in Catholic Health Care, Education and Parish-Community Service in the Midwest, Central and Southwest United States.
http://www.fscc-calledtobe.org
The World needs you. God Calls You. We Invite You. Catholic vocations.

Music of the Dominican Sisters of Mary

The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, are well-known for their Dominic spirituality, teaching missions across the country and publicity from numerous national media outlets. Now, they have entered the realm of music with the release of their first album, MATER EUCHARISTIAE, today with Decca Record Label and De Montfort Music.

The 15-track album, recorded live from the sisters’ chapel in Ann Arbor, Michigan, features songs in both English and Latin, and includes ancient chants, polyphony and original compositions. Some pieces are accompanied by the organ, trumpet and chimes, while others are sung a capella. The album is produced by the 2013 Grammy Award-winning Classical Producer of the Year, Blanton Alspaugh.

“We are truly thrilled to mark today the release date of Mater Eucharistiae, the very beautiful and unique collection of music for all to enjoy from The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist,” said Monica Fitzgibbons, co-founder of De Montfort Music. “These modern day faithful and tireless missionaries of joy and love are generously reaching out to the world through these tremendous songs, and we are so grateful to them and congratulate them on this wonderful artistic work.”

Angels and Saints at Ephesus CD

The awe-inspiring music of ANGELS AND SAINTS AT EPHESUS, the highly anticipated CD from the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, is available today from De Montfort Music/Decca.

This follow-up to last year’s number one hit ADVENT AT EPHESUS is a year-round collection featuring 17 English and Latin pieces sung a cappella for the feasts of the holy Saints and angels. Recorded once again at their Priory in the heartland of America, this new album, also available for digital download, is a dynamic yet pure fusion of their contemplative sound.

“We are truly excited that ANGELS AND SAINTS AT EPHESUS is available today,” De Montfort Music co-founder Monica Fitzgibbons said. “This is a classic must-have recording for any collection of music, and an opportunity to experience the Heavenly sounds emanating from these holy hearts of the Benedictines of Mary whose singing sparks a heightened sense of the True and the Beautiful.”

De Montfort enlisted nine-time International Grammy® winning producer Christopher Alder, from Germany, and two-time Grammy® winning engineer Mark Donahue to capture the Sisters in their contemplative environment.

“I was surprised by how well [the sisters] sang,” Alder said. “I was already convinced that the quality of their singing was high, so I would enjoy myself musically. … The main feeling to listening to them is the belief in the thoughts that are being expressed and a familiarity and love of the style of music.”

Check out a visual sneak peek of the album.

This is the second album from the Benedictines of Mary. Last November and December, the Sisters’ debut album, ADVENT AT EPHESUS, with De Montfort Music/Decca, spent six weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Classical Music Chart, and the Sisters ended up as the #1 Classical Traditional Artist of 2012, according to Nielson’s Soundscan. Featured on NPR, USA Today, People Magazine and The Washington Times as well as countless other critically acclaimed press outlets, the Benedictines of Mary have created another beautiful recording of their music.

30-minute behind-the-scenes special to air this week

EWTN – the Eternal Word Television Network – has announced multiple broadcasts of a 30-minute special on the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, and the making of ANGELS AND SAINTS AT EPHESUS, which is available now worldwide from De Montfort Music and Decca Records.

The special debuts at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT tonight, May 7. Other broadcasts are set for 3:30 a.m. ET/12:30 a.m. PT Wednesday, May 8; 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT Friday, May 24; and 11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT Saturday, May 25.

About the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles

Founded in 1995, The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, are a young, monastic order of Sisters. The Sisters sing together eight times a day as they chant the Divine Office in Latin.

About De Montfort Music

De Montfort Music is a division of Aim Higher Media, both founded by music-industry veterans Kevin and Monica Fitzgibbons. Its special mission is to sign, develop, produce and bring to market the very best in Sacred Music.

Nuns' Breakout Album Tops Billboard's Classical Music Chart

ADVENT AT EPHESUS, the Advent album from the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, is No. 1 on Billboard magazine’s Traditional Classical Music Chart for the fourth straight week and is proof that the culture desires more of the sacred and divine in these preparatory weeks leading to the celebration of Christ’s birth. Rising above a group of Classical albums that includes Andrea Bocelli, Placido Domingo, Fifty Shades of Grey Classical, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s Once Upon a Christmas, and the London Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas Classics, ADVENT AT EPHESUS is a verified hit that will remain a classic for Advent seasons to come!

“Purchase your copy of ADVENT AT EPHESUS today to experience the sublime musical masterpiece contained in this holy album…and head to benedictinesofmary.org for a special end of Advent promotion and grab a copy for someone you love to enjoy for years to come. It’s clear that with a No. 1 ranking for the fourth straight week, ADVENT AT EPHESUS is here to stay and is a must-have for the collection! Even in these final Advent days leading to a grand celebration of Christ’s coming to earth, we hope the music and peaceful reflections found in ADVENT AT EPHESUS will continue to be loved by and shared with as many as possible!" said Monica Fitzgibbons, co-founder of De Montfort Music.

Since its Nov. 20 worldwide debut from De Montfort Music and Decca Records, ADVENT AT EPHESUS has blessed the world with the sacred and sublime music of a hidden and contemplative religious order tucked away on Missouri’s rural countryside. Hidden in prayer and sacrifice, their music now is available worldwide. In addition to the CD, the album is available as a digital download for all devices at a variety of online retailers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble and the iTunes Store.

Captivating diverse audiences, ADVENT AT EPHESUS, which also captured an impressive top 200 ranking in Billboard’s mainstream chart, holds its spot this week amid all album categories.

The breathtaking release that has taken the world by surprise also ranks No. 9 on the Contemporary Christian chart, No. 10 on the Gospel chart, and No. 20 on the Internet Album chart.

“We want to again express our sincere gratitude to everyone who is supporting the album. We hope everyone will purchase this beautiful masterpiece, a labor of love given to the world by The Benedictines of Mary, which goes to help the sisters in their many needs as a growing contemplative community,” said Fitzgibbons.




This treasury of prayers, now released on Kindle, will help you go to the Lord with courage and pray to receive God's grace.


Sometimes, the Pope said of prayers and devotions, one goes to the Lord "to ask something for someone;" one asks for a favor and then goes away. "But that," he warned, "is not prayer," because if "you want the Lord to bestow a grace, you have to go with courage and do what Abraham did, with that sort of tenacity."

This comprehensive treasury of Catholic prayer includes everyday prayers, devotionals, how to pray the rosary, litanies, the Stations of the Cross, Eucharistic prayers, prayers to prepare for confession, prayers to the saints, Marian prayers, family prayers, and more.

Advent at Ephesus

Just a few short weeks ago, the priory of the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, became a modern, high-tech recording studio for three days. You and the world can hear the fruits of that transformation tomorrow (Nov. 20) as De Montfort Music/Decca releases ADVENT AT EPHESUS.

The 16-track CD, also available for digital download, includes hymns the sisters enjoy singing during Advent at the end of Mass; polyphony; traditional chants; and the original work Adjuvabit Eam. Early reviews suggest it could be one of the surprise hits of the year. It has tracked in Amazon’s Classical Music top 10 for almost two weeks as preorders have poured in.

“It’s difficult to find the right words to describe the angelically perfect sound of ADVENT AT EPHESUS,” Royce Hood wrote recently at MariaNews.com. “The word ‘amazing’ is true but far from enough. The word ‘beautiful’ is also accurate and much closer to describing the sound. The word ‘necessary’ suggests the importance of sacred music in our secular world. Individually, none of the above words do ADVENT AT EPHESUS justice. Together the adjectives merely come close to describing the wonder that is to be available on November 20.”

This is, indeed, high praise for the contemplative sisters, who sing together daily but not with any professional aspirations. “We’re always singing,” said Mother Cecilia, the order’s Prioress. “So it was just natural that we make a CD so that we could give something of ourselves to people out in the world.”

“Out in the world;” that probably sounds strange – until you consider life at the Priory of Our Lady of Ephesus, tucked into the rolling farm land of northwest Missouri. The sisters tend a small garden, and they have an orchard. They sew sacred vestments for priests as their primary apostolate. And they sing.

“Music is an integral part of our lives,” Mother Cecilia said. “We’re in the chapel eight times a day singing to God, and it’s just something that comes naturally from our hearts.”

“To be around these sisters is like a glimpse into Heaven,” De Montfort Music co-founder Monica Fitzgibbons said. She and her husband Kevin formed De Montfort as a division of Aim Higher Media, and ADVENT AT EPHESUS is the label’s first release. “When we heard their music, we knew that there was something really special going on there musically that would fit in with our mission for the label.”

During a Nov. 10 visit with members of the Santa Cecilia Italian music association in Rome, Pope Benedict XVI suggested that the sacred music like that at the heart of ADVENT AT EPHESUS is a critically important element of prayer and evangelization in today’s world. “Music … is not solely an accessory to or external embellishment of the liturgy, but is itself liturgy,” the Holy Father said. “… sacred music, with its great tradition belonging to our western culture can, and indeed does, have an important role to play in encouraging the rediscovery of God, a renewed approach to the Christian message and the mysteries of faith.”

De Montfort enlisted Grammy® and Oscar® winning producer Glenn Rosenstein, who traveled to America’s heartland; set up a mobile recording studio on the 260-acre property the sisters call home; and captured all of ADVENT AT EPHESUS in only three days. Rosenstein, who has worked with a host of international stars and whose projects have generated sales well in excess of 250 million units (with artists from U2 to the New York Philharmonic) calls this one of his 10 all-time-favorite recordings.

“Our way of life here is truly one of great peace and tranquility,” Mother Cecilia said. “Since not everybody can come here – and since we’re not going out into the world – ADVENT AT EPHESUS is a way that we can just give a little taste of our life and let people experience it and be part of it.”

The sisters are truly gifted vocalists, and events leading up to ADVENT AT EPHESUS’ release suggests that they could achieve incredible recognition. Although there’s nothing necessarily unusual about that – “breakout artists” come along regularly – their outlook is definitely rare, if not unprecedented.

“We’re not professionals,” Mother Cecilia said. “It’s just that we sing together … all the time. We are singing on ADVENT AT EPHESUS – if it pleases God – for thousands and thousands of souls, maybe; to bring them comfort and to bring them joy – to lift their hearts to God.”

ADVENT AT EPHESUS also represents a rare approach – one that focuses on music celebrating the quiet, introspective anticipation of the Nativity that is the foundation of the Advent season. Here is the full track list for the album; including their original composition Adjuvabit Eam:

1. Come Thou Redeemer of the Earth
2. Angelus ad Virginem
3. Regnantem Sempiterna
4. Gabriel’s Message
5. Creator Alme Siderum
6. Hayl, Mary
7. Rorate Caeli
8. Praeparate Corda Vestra
9. O Come, O Come Emmanuel
10. Benedixisti Domime
11. Maria Walks Amid the Thorn
12. Alma Redemptoris Mater
13. Adjuvabit Eam*
14. O Come Divine Messiah
15. Vox Clara
16. Like the Dawning
* Original composition

About the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles

Founded in 1995, The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, are a young, monastic order of Sisters. United with Our Lady at the foot of the Cross; the sisters seek, above all else, a life of union with God in prayer as guided by the Rule of St. Benedict. They pray and sacrifice especially for the sanctification of priests. The Sisters sing together eight times a day as they chant the Divine Office in Latin. Along with the making of priestly vestments and sacred linens, The Benedictines of Mary also take care of gardens, an orchard and a small farm.

About De Montfort Music

De Montfort Music is a division of AimHigherMedia – both founded by music-industry veterans Kevin and Monica Fitzgibbons. Its special mission is to sign, develop, produce and bring to market the very best in Sacred Music. The label is an ambassador to the world of the true and the beautiful. The Benedictines of Mary are signed to De Montfort Music, which is distributed worldwide through Decca/Universal.

About Universal Music Group

Universal Music Group is the world’s leading music company with wholly owned operations in 60 territories. Its businesses also include Universal Music Publishing Group, one of the industry’s leading global music publishing operations.

Universal Music Group’s record labels include A&M/Octone, Decca, Def Jam Recordings, Deutsche Grammophon, Disa, Emarcy, Fonovisa, Geffen Records, Interscope Records, Island Records, Lost Highway Records, Machete Music, MCA Nashville, Mercury Nashville, Mercury Records, Motown Records, Polydor Records, Universal Music Latino, Universal Republic and Verve Music Group – as well as a multitude of record labels owned or distributed by its record company subsidiaries around the world. The Universal Music Group owns the most extensive catalogue of music in the industry, which includes the last 100 years of the world’s most popular artists and their recordings. UMG’s catalogue is marketed through two distinct divisions, Universal Music Enterprises (in the U.S.) and Universal Strategic Marketing (outside the U.S.). Universal Music Group also includes Global Digital Business, its new media and technologies division, and Bravado, its merchandising company.

Visit the online newsroom at MaxOnDeadline.com/Advent-At-Ephesus/ to find the Electronic Press Kit, which is available for use by media, and to get background on the Benedictine Sisters of Mary, Queen of Apostles; and DeMontfort Music/Decca.