April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
New organist at Cathedral has key plans
He was recently appointed director of music and organist at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany. According to Rev. William Pape, rector, the match couldn't have been a better one.
"Mr. Osborne came to us after a very long search," he said. "We are extremely glad to have him. He is very talented and has a fine understanding of Catholic liturgy."
Many tasks
The Nashville native has been very busy getting settled and implementing the many tasks of his job. Along with providing music for regular Masses, weddings and funerals, Mr. Osborne is responsible for the music at diocesan celebrations held in the Cathedral throughout the year.Additionally, he serves in the diocesan Office of Prayer and Worship as a resource person for other parish musicians and is a member of the music sub-committee of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission.
"One of the reasons I took this position is because of the potential I saw here," he told The Evangelist. "The Capital District is a wonderful area, full of history. I wanted to be a part of the energy of those involved in making that potential a reality."
Musical background
Mr. Osborne received his undergraduate degree in music at the Westminster Choir College in Princeton, N.J., and went on to achieve a graduate degree in music at Notre Dame University in Indiana.While enrolled in the master's program there, he acquired liturgical experience by playing the organ during Masses at the Sacred Heart Basilica on campus. He also worked as organist and music director for a Lutheran church in the area.
Once his formal studies were completed, Mr. Osborne decided to take advanced music courses in France, which kept him occupied abroad for four years. He worked under then-Archbishop Louis-Marie Bille of Lyons (who was recently named a cardinal by Pope John Paul II) as assistant organist at the Cathedral de St. Sauveur in Aix-en-Provence. He returned to the U.S. last July.
Goals
Once he settles into his new position, Mr. Osborne has lots of plans for music at the Cathedral."Right now, I am actively recruiting people to serve as cantors to lead the congregation at Masses on weekends," he said. "So far, we have seven but need a total of 16."
Other plans include expansion of the adult choir, creating both a children's choir and a handbell choir, and overseeing the design and installation of a new pipe organ.
Diocesan level
As for his diocesan duties, Mr. Osborne hopes to offer assistance to other parish musicians who may have questions about planning liturgies, recruiting choir members or other concerns."My goal is to make the regular weekend liturgies at the Cathedral examples for other parishes in our Diocese," he said, adding that he hopes "our celebrations there will provide a place where people can pray and worship effectively and participate fully in the liturgy."
(Mr. Osborne can be contacted at the diocesan Pastoral Center's Office of Prayer and Worship, 453-6155, or at the Cathedral office, 463-4447.)
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