Diversity and Devotion

Life has become very busy. Even though I have classes only three days a week, those days are full with all types of diverse learning. This week we had another special trip to Glenstal Abbey to work with one of the monks who is a specialist in the history of the European monastic movement. It seems that early in Christian history there were groups of people who wanted to break off from the mainstream of society to live a more consistently and fully pious life. These early groups formed communities that were the forerunners of monasteries. The talk was interesting but the early texts that we got to look at, Coptic scrolls and beautiful miniature prayer and psalm books, these were quite amazing.

Earlier in the week we worked with a wonderful and gentle musician originally from Kurdistan. He is teaching us some Islamic and Kurdistan pieces, but he is actually a violinist. His name is Aland Alissi and he is a very talented young man.

Every Wednesday evening we meet with two doctoral candidates who lead our choral singing group, called Lucenarium. We are learning some very beautiful Latin chants as well as a Greek Orthodox piece and next week we will start on a Georgian piece.

Tomorrow morning I am off to Dublin to meet with members of the Jewish community and to attend services at both the progressive and orthodox communities. I am doing my elective on the ritual chant of Judaism and I will also be doing an ethnographic study of a ritual. I have chosen the Torah portion of the service. This will require interviews, videos of part of the service if this is permissible, a paper , transcriptions of music and of the interviews, field notes and more. If this sounds a bit overwhelming, admittedly it is. I think, however, that once I make this initial visit I will be able to create a game plan and accomplish a great deal on my second visit.

I will return to Limerick on Saturday evening and on Sunday I will attend the Anglican service with Angela, my apartment mate. One of our other assignments is to recreate or envision a 12th century Catholic Mass in St. Mary's Church in Limerick. The space was built in the 11th century and so it is perfect for envisioning all that a mass would encompass during this time period. If I sound like I know what I am talking about, don't let me fool you. I don't, at least not now, but I will know a bit more once I have completed the assignment.

So as the weeks roll by you can see that I am getting busier. We have a performance in about five weeks where each of my classmates and I will do chant solos as well as perform and lead ensemble pieces. This is in preparation for ssemester end chant exam. So in between the academics is singing, lots of singing;voice lessons, chant lessons, rehearsals, and more.

Now you know why I am unable to keep up with a daily entries on this blog. I am busy attending classes and religious services and singing and so much more. So weekly seems a bit more realistic for the moment. But I am happy that I am learning so much and being challenged on so many levels. And I am thinking of you and sending love from Glocca Morra.