Radio show takes listeners back in (musical) time

On Sunday nights, Catholics don't have to go to a church or concert hall to hear the New York State Catholic Chorale. They can just turn on their radios.

"Voices of Catholic Radio" is being broadcast on Siena College's radio station, 88.3FM at 8:30 a.m. and 6:45 p.m.

The program derived from the Chorale's desire to help Catholics learn more about the "thousand-year tradition" of liturgical music and the faith that underlies it, said Thomas Savoy, the group's founder and director. He is also music director at Blessed Sacrament Church in Albany.

Programming

Catholic heritage, theology and thought will be centerpieces of the radio program. Topics will range from Mary and the saints to the sacraments and holy days.

Music fitting with the theme will be performed; other time will be given to notes on the music, and discussions of "our Catholic faith and what we really believe," Mr. Savoy told The Evangelist.

For example, one show involved hymns and teaching on the life of St. Ambrose, whom Mr. Savoy calls the "father of Church music."

Recorded in church

The program is taped on Saturdays at St. John the Evangelist Church in Rensselaer, using sound-editing software on a laptop computer. The show is transferred to a CD and given to the radio station to play.

The Chorale finds the process stressful but fun, according to its director.

"If you've ever done recording, you know it's more stressful than regular singing," Mr. Savoy explained. The microphones "pick up every page-turn."

Faith in song

The members of the Catholic Chorale, founded in 1996, usually share two qualities, Mr. Savoy said; they're "very good at reading music," and they get joy out of sharing their faith.

"We're people who really believe that we have something to share as Catholics," he said. "It's part of people living their faith."

On Dec. 11, the radio program will showcase Marian hymns and discussion. On Dec. 18, the Chorale will sing Advent hymns.

"We've probably brainstormed 50 different ideas, and the Eucharist would generate 50 programs itself," Mr. Savoy noted. "There's so much gorgeous stuff. We want to acquaint [listeners] with the music of their heritage, to help them come away knowing all the facets of Catholic intellectual life. For many, it is a facet of their tradition that they've never heard before."

(For more information, e-mail [email protected] or go to www.nycchorale.org.)

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