Debut album, Mater Eucharistiae, to release August 13
Atlanta, GA, July 9, 2013 – They follow in the 13th-century footsteps of St. Dominic, while very much engaging the modern world. They teach in schools all over the United States. They have been the featured guests on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” more than once, and seen on Fox News and CNN discussing various aspects of the Catholic faith and their vocation to live a religious life. Most recently, they made it to the finals of the Game Show Network’s highly rated “The American Bible Challenge.”
http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Lisa-Ling-Spends-the-Night-at-a-Convent-Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=Qd1M7eG4OYY
And now, the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, will be known as recording artists, as they release their first album with Decca Record Label and De Montfort Music. This debut release of sacred music recorded live from their chapel in Ann Arbor, Michigan, reflects their Dominican spirituality that they share so freely with the popular culture.
“We are thrilled that The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist recorded this enchanting collection of music,” said Kevin Fitzgibbons, co-founder of De Montfort Music. “To be able to release music reflective of their community is a true privilege. This recording will transport the listener to the gorgeous acoustics in their chapel, and will inspire the pervasive joy of their community through their music.”
The album will feature songs in both English and Latin, and will include ancient chants, polyphony, and original compositions. Some pieces are accompanied by the organ, trumpet, and chimes, while others are sung a capella.
Sr. Joseph Andrew, OP, Vicaress General of The Dominican Sisters of Mary, commented on the recording: “Music has always been part of the daily life of our Religious Community. It is a most important medium through which we seek to express our deep love of The Lord. Through our arrangement of this music, we hope to make available the sharing of our prayer-life so that others may, by it, be drawn into their own deeper love of God. This recording has also provided an opportunity for us to make accessible a few original pieces written and arranged by the Sisters in hopes of furthering our unique Dominican Spirit through the gift of song.”
Produced by the 2013 Grammy Award-winning Classical Producer of the Year, Blanton Alspaugh, Mater Eucharistiae will feature 15 tracks.
1. Holy Mary Mother of God
2. Jesu Dulcis Memoria
3. Te Deum
4. O Gloriosa Virginum
5. Ave Maria To Thee Holy Virgin
6. Quid Retribuam
7. I Am In Thy Hands O Mary
8. Sicut Cervus
9. Stella Splendens
10. Pange Lingua
11. The Annunciation
12. Ave Maris Stella
13. Angelus ad Virginem
14. Adoro Te
15. Salve Regina
“The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist are a fervent group who sing beautifully. It was richly rewarding to work with a choir that works so well together and who share an obvious love for music. We were honored to be invited to help the Sisters with this recording, and are thrilled to share it now with everyone who hears it,” said Alspaugh.
For the EPK (Electronic Press Kit), which includes behind the scenes footage of the “making of” Mater Eucharistiae, please see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=209u7A_MwD8.
Beginning August 13, EWTN will run a 30-minute HD Special on the Sisters, including a behind the scenes “Making of” their debut recording, Mater Eucharistiae.
Please visit www.DeMontfortMusic.com to learn more about where the CD can be purchased.
About the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist
Canonically established in 1997 by John Cardinal O’Connor of New York, The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist are a young, vibrant community of consecrated women. Their pattern of life is inextricably bound up with the monastic observance given to them by their Dominican tradition. They espouse the common life, cloister, times and places of silence, the choral Divine Office and daily Mass. They participate in an active charism of education and formation of the young, administering, and teaching in small, private Catholic schools, including the Spiritus Sanctus Academies in Michigan. The founding of the Dominican Sisters of Mary was and remains an all-embracing “yes” in response to the Church’s need for laborers to enter the vineyard to plant, water and yield souls for Christ. Through the witness of their vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and a life of prayer and of apostolic service, the Dominican Sisters of Mary seek to transform the world for the good of souls.
About De Montfort Music
De Montfort Music is a division of AimHigher Entertainment – 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. De Montfort recently developed the two chart-topping albums of the Benedictines of Mary, Advent at Ephesus and Angels and Saints at Ephesus, which both hit Billboard’s Number 1 spot and remained there for several weeks. The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist are now signed to De Montfort Music, which is distributed worldwide through Decca/Universal.
About DECCA/Universal
Decca Records is part of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world’s largest music content company with market-leading positions in recorded music, music publishing, and merchandising. The name “Decca” dates back to a portable gramophone called the “Decca Dulcephone” patented in 1914 by musical instrument makers Barnett Samuel and Sons. That company was eventually renamed The Decca Gramophone Co. Ltd. and then sold to former stockbroker Edward Lewis in 1929. Within years Decca Records Ltd. was the second largest record label in the world, calling itself “The Supreme Record Company.” Today, Decca thrives on discovering talent in new areas ranging from pop, rock, folk and Americana, and takes pride in strengthening its classical and jazz heritage with consistent benchmark recordings from some of the world’s greatest musicians.
To schedule interviews with the Dominican Sisters, please contact Kevin Wandra (404-788-1276 or [email protected]) of Carmel Communications. You may also contact Monica Fitzgibbons of De Montfort Music for more information about their ministry at [email protected].
