Music and Meditation for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 23 | The Fourth Sunday of Advent

"Of the Father's Love Begotten"

• Words by Aurelius Prudentius Clemens (4th century), translated by John Neale
• Music is 13th century plainsong
• Performed by the Church Folk at College Church in Wheaton (2015)

Text

Included in the video

Readings

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 4:9-10

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen.

The Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

Music and Meditation for the Third Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 16 | The Third Sunday of Advent

"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"

• Words translated from Latin by John Neale (1851)
• Music is plainsong chant adapted by Thomas Helmore (1854)
• Performed by Lauren Daigle on the album Behold (Centricity Music, 2018)

Text

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lowly exile here until the Son of God appear

O come thou Dayspring come and cheer our spirits by thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death's dark shadows put to flight

Rejoice! Rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel

O come desire of nations bind all peoples with one heart and mind
Bid envy, strife and quarrels cease, fill the whole world with heaven's peace
Rejoice! Rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel

Rejoice! Rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel

Readings

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;
And the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and uphold it
With justice and righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Isaiah 9:2,6-7 (ESV)

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever, Amen.

The Collect for the Third Sunday of Advent

Music and Meditation for the Second Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 9 | The Second Sunday of Advent

"Be Born In Me"

• Words and Music by Bernie Herms and Nicole Nordeman (2011)
• Performed by Francesca Battistelli on the album Christmas

Text

Displayed in the YouTube video

Readings

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

1 Peter 2:9-10 (ESV)

Almighty God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen.

The Collect for the Second Sunday of Advent

Music and Meditation for the First Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 2, 2018 | The First Sunday of Advent

"Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus"

• Words by Charles Wesley (1744)
• Music by Rowland H. Prichard (1831, hymn tune HYFRYDOL)
• Performed by Fernando Ortega on the album Christmas Songs (2008, Curb Records)

Text
Come thou long-expected Jesus
Born to set thy people free
From our fears and sins release
Let us find our rest in thee
Israel's strength and consolation
Hope of all the earth thou art
Dear desire of every nation
Joy of every longing heart

Born thy people to deliver
Born a child and yet a king
Born to reign in us forever
Now thy gracious kingdom bring
By thine own eternal spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone
By thy all sufficient merit
Raise us to thy glorious throne

Readings

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ -- by grace you have been saved -- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:4-7 (ESV)

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now and in the time of this mortal life in which your son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen.

The Collect for the First Sunday of Advent

Creating the Greatest Impact

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the 73rd National Conference of the League of American Orchestras, hosted by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. I attended as a delegate of both the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Overture Council and the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music. It was my first time attending the League's National Conference, and it was an excellent experience.

Between Wednesday and Friday, I attended the opening session, closing session, four breakout sessions, and one special tour of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Milennium Park with the original acoustical engineer.

The theme for this year's conference was Creating the Greatest Impact, and the keynote addresses in full and the breakout sessions as well explored how the orchestra field, and by extrapolation much of the nonprofit arts sector in general, can be a positive presence in today's world.

The stage and lectern just before the opening session

The opening session featured a keynote address by Vijay Gupta, violinist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and founder of Street Symphony, also in Los Angeles. Gupta is a TED Senior Fellow, Senior Citizen Artist Fellow with the Kennedy Center, and self-described advocate for artistic voices in social issues. A few quotations from his address:

Why did we become musicians? "To connect with the world around us. To ask questions. And to tell stories."
"As artists and art leaders we must reclaim the conversation about why we became artists in the first place."
"This is our time to ask the usually inefficient and always uncomfortable questions."
"Our nation looks to us to make meaning for ourselves and the world around us. When we engage in this joyful work we assume our natural seat at the table as leaders of a vibrant national discourse."
"We only have one best practice. To show up. We have to show up."
"How radically do we welcome the communities on the margins into the center of the artistic process?"
"Sometimes all we can do is sit down and be humble."
"Our greatest impact is in how we listen. Our job is to listen louder than we sing, play, or speak."

Between the opening and closing I attended the following engaging breakout sessions:

Messages that Matter, a case study of what the Eugene (Oregon) Symphony did to listen to what their community wanted in their arts institutions and fold that into their offerings. A quotation: "Let's reframe the business model from 'presenting art' to 'making memories.'"

Building Your Next Gen Donor Pipeline, a look at how Millennials want to engage in philanthropy. Some quotations:

"They care more about results than they care about institutions."
"I think we're creating barriers that don't necessarily exist."
"We have to talk about the connections we make and the value we add."
"Your loyalty to them is more important than their loyalty to you."
"Listen more, talk less."
"Impact happens once, value is constant."

Beyond the Org Chart: Everyone Leads, defining leadership as "behavior that brings people together to move things forward" and discussing empathy in organizational settings.

The Post-Tax Reform Philanthropic Landscape, which rather than being the damage control session I think most of the 75 people in the room thought it would be, actually was an insightful look at some of the potential opportunities for philanthropic activity. The key, not surprisingly, was to "double down on donor relationships" and "tell your impact story."

And the closing session featured cellist (though of course he does so much more) Yo-Yo Ma, recipient of the League's Gold Baton for "distinguished service to America's orchestras." Some quotations from his address, "Why Culture Matters":

"Listen to what's around you.""Make sure every decision considers the other perspective.""Culture engages both our analytic and empathetic faculties, allowing us to make better decisions."

It was a most enriching and stimulating week and I am grateful to both Wheaton College and the CSO for supporting my attendance. And a lot of what I learned was relevant not only for my work with those to institutions but also for my work with Calvary Memorial Church. It was also really enjoyable to have the opportunity on breaks to meet and interact with delegates (as attendees at this conference are called) from orchestras and supporting organizations across the country, from Florida and Louisiana and Massachusetts and Minnesota and Oregon and more. I have only just started processing what I absorbed over the three days and am looking forward to sharing it with colleagues over the coming weeks.

2017: A Hobby-Based Look Back

My biography indicates that in my spare time I enjoy attending concerts, cooking, reading, and traveling, so to recap 2017, I will summarize my accomplishments in those areas.

Concerts

The irony is that managing concerts, as I do, sometimes makes it difficult to attend them. Nonetheless, I was in the audience for several concerts in the last year and a few in particular I really enjoyed.

In April I heard Riccardo Muti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra perform Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 5 Reformation, appropriate given this Reformation 500 anniversary year, as well as Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 with Yafim Bronfman.

In December I heard the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, under Nikolaj Znaider, perform Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5. On both occasions I was hearing these symphonies performed live by a professional orchestra for the first time, and on neither occasion did they disappoint!

Over the summer I attended a couple performances at the Grant Park Music Festival in Millennium Park, including, in August, one featuring the Mariachi Cobre, which may have been only the second time in my life I had heard live mariachi music, at least in concert.

Cooking

Naomi and I are regular Purple Carrot users, and a few of the recipes we have gone on to reuse, particularly the delicious (and simple) red bean burger. We have been introduced to new ingredients and new twists on familiar meals. One of my long time favorite recipes, which I first learned when Naomi and I were dating in college, is a zucchini and kidney bean chili. I am also now very partial to the use of dates as a sweetener, though that is more for baking than cooking; my skills are very much still in the cooking realm.

Reading

I read eleven books from start to finish this year and read bits of some others, but I really do want to increase that total in future years. Three in particular are:

• John Bateson's Building Hope: Leadership in the Non-Profit World, anecdotes and experience-based advice on many facets of the non-profit institution
• Andy Crouch's Playing God: Redeeming the Gift of Power, a compelling analysis of the ways power is often abused and how it could and can be used for so much good instead
• Christopher Gehrz and Mark Pattie's The Piestist Option: Hope for the Renewal of Christianity, an encouraging look at the principles of pietism and how they can inform most other traditions

Traveling

In addition to my home state of Illinois, I found myself spending time in Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, New Hampshire, Oregon, South Carolina, and Vermont this year. (I also changed planes in California but I am of the school of thought that that does not count.)

My visits to Hawaii, Oregon, South Carolina, and Vermont were my first times in each of those states. The Hawaii trip was Naomi's and my honeymoon in January to the island of Kauai, and it was very much the perfect time of year to go and an all-around enjoyable trip. I chronicled the Vermont trip in detail previously on this blog.

What's Next?

I already have tickets for two CSO concerts in 2018, we are due for our next Purple Carrot later in January, I have two books waiting for me on my desk to read, one of which I am sure I will take on our January trip to Florida, and after that who knows to where else I will take books for the plane ride - New Orleans and Canada are on our list!

I hope 2017 had many satisfying moments of those things you enjoy doing in your spare time, and that 2018 will have no less!

Music and Meditation for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 24 | The Fourth Sunday of Advent

"Love Came Down at Christmas"

• Words by Christina Rossetti (1883)
• Musical setting by John Rutter (1971)
• Performed by the Cambridge Singers and the City of London Sinfonia on The John Rutter Christmas Album (2002 Collegium)

Text

Love came down at Christmas

Love all lovely, love divine

Love was born at Christmas

Star and angels gave the sign

Worship we the Godhead

Love incarnate, love divine

Worship we our Jesus

What shall be our sacred sign

Love shall be our token

Love be yours and love be mine

Love to God and neighbor

Love for prayer and gift and sign

Readings

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

John 3:16-17

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen.

The Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

Music and Meditation for the Third Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 17 | The Third Sunday of Advent

"Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying"

• Words by Philipp Nicolai (1599), translated by Catherine Winkworth (1858)
• Music by Hans Sachs (c. 1513); hymn tune is WACHET AUF
• Performed by the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist on the album Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring: Christmas with the Dominican Sisters of Mary (2017 De Montfort Music, LLC and Sony Entertainment)

Text

Wake, awake, for night is flying
The watchmen on the heights are crying
Awake, Jerusalem at last
Midnight hears the welcome voices
And at the thrilling cry rejoices
Come forth, ye virgins, night is past
The bridegroom comes, awake
Your lamps with gladness take
Alleluia! And for his majesty prepare
For you have come to meet him there

Zion hears the watchmen singing
And in her heart with joy is springing
She wakes, she rises from her gloom
For her Lord comes down all glorious
The strong in grace, in truth victorious
Her star is risen, her light is come
O come, you blessed one
Lord Jesus, Son of God
Alleluia! We go until the halls we see
Where thou hast bid us sup with thee

Now let all the heavens adore thee
And men and angels sing before thee
With harps and cymbals all are peal
Of one pearl each shining portal
Where dwelling with the choir immortal
And angels round thy dazzling glow
No eye has seen nor ear
Has yet been trained to hear
What joy is ours
When we rejoice and sing to thee
Our hymn of joy eternally

Readings

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever, Amen.

The Collect for the Third Sunday of Advent

Music and Meditation for the Second Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 10 | The Second Sunday of Advent

"Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus"

• Words by Charles Wesley (1744)
• Music by Rowland H. Prichard (c. 1830); hymn tune is HYFRYDOL
• Performed by Fernando Ortega on the album Christmas Songs (2008 Curb Records)

Text

Come, thou long-expected Jesus born to set thy people free
From our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee
Israel's strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art
Dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart

Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a king
Born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring
By thine own eternal spirit rule in all our hearts alone
By thine all all-sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne

Readings

These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, "I am going away, and I will come to you." If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.

John 14:25-31 (ESV)

Almighty God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen.

The Collect for the Second Sunday of Advent

Music and Meditation for the First Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 3, 2017 | The First Sunday of Advent

"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"

• Words are a twelfth-century Latin hymn, translated by John M. Neale (1851)
• Music is by Thomas Helmore (1854), based on plainsong phrases; hymn tune is VENI EMMANUEL
• Performed by Enya on the album And Winter Came (2008 Warner Music Group)

Text
O come, o come, Emmanuel, to free your captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice, O Israel, to you shall come Emmanuel

(Sung once in English and once in Latin)

The following stanza, attributed to Henry Sloane Coffin (1916), is not sung in this track but I provide if for your meditation here at the close of a tumultuous 2017:

O come, Desire of nations, bind all peoples in one heart and mind
Bid envy, strife, and quarrels cease, fill all the world heavenly peace
Rejoice! Rejoice, O Israel, to you shall come Emmanuel

Readings

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced from the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1:16-21 (ESV)

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now and in the time of this mortal life in which your son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen.

The Collect for the First Sunday of Advent

The New Center for Music and the Arts

It has been just over a week since the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music moved into its new home, the Armerding Center for Music and the Arts. Smiles (albeit tired smiles in some cases) have dominated everyone's faces. Despite the grueling final weeks of packing and preparing and hoping for as seamless a transition as possible, everyone is happy to be settling into the new facilities.

About $30 million and a year of construction has found the Conservatory with twice the amount of instructional space as before, and four times as many restrooms! My boss's office is at least twice the size it was before. We went from two floors to four. Instead of views of parking lots and dumpsters, our windows now give us a view of the quad and the fountain (including some practice room windows). We have dedicated hospitality space. Everything is light and airy and freshly painted and polished.

Last Thursday, the first day of classes in the new building, we had a music major convocation right after lunch in the new Armerding Recital Hall, with faculty and staff present as well as all the students. Our dean, Michael Wilder, gave us some instructions on how to make the most of the new space, and then we sang some hymns. In between, the stage managers adjusted the acoustical curtains, from fully extended (i.e., fully absorbent) to fully retracted (i.e., fully reflective). The difference was astounding as the room resonated with 150 voices singing "When In Our Music God is Glorified." I wish it had been recorded, or maybe actually I don't, because no recording could accurately capture that moment. Students, faculty, and staff alike had tears in their eyes (in mine, too) as we sang "There Is A Redeemer" to close our convocation and listened to voices resound in that space.

Our dedication event is Friday, November 3, at 3pm on the Quad, and is open to the public. But what is even more exciting is that this project is only half finished! Fundraising is well underway for Phase II, the construction of a new 650-seat concert hall with adjacent choral rehearsal hall, joined to Phase I (the new facility I've just described) by a two-story glass atrium. Phase II as also has a price tag of about $30 million, and thanks to an extremely generous anonymous gift earlier this month, we are now almost halfway to that second $30 million. Equally significantly, many of the current music students are contributing of their means to the project. I witness more students every day bringing their contribution envelopes to the administrative suite where I have my office. The dean said at convocation that at this moment "we are at halftime, and we think we're winning!"

I couldn't agree more. It was a little less than 9 years ago, during my sophomore year as a music major, when the $9 million addition to Edman Chapel opened. That project included a new instrumental rehearsal hall, which I was able to enjoy immediately as a member of the Wheaton College Symphonic Band. The first few days in Armerding brought back some of the feelings I had sophomore year - only greatly magnified by the greater scope of the Armerding project and by witnessing the enjoyment of the next generation of music students. These are the young men and women who are training for service in churches, concert halls, and schools around the world, and it is most satisfying to see them settle into their new and improved place of study and training. Come visit and see it for yourself!

Overture Council Completes Its Wildly Successful Eighth Year

A year ago today, I publicly (i.e., via Facebook) announced my appointment as Communications Chair on the Executive Committee of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Overture Council.

A week ago yesterday, I marked the end of the first year of my two-year term as the Overture Council marked the end of its wildly successful eighth year at our end-of-season celebration.

With obvious, bias, let me brag a little on what transpired in our eighth season.

Soundpost: Exploring the World of Composition

The Overture Council's signature program is Soundpost, a pre-concert series featuring guests talking about music from different angles each year; this year, from the angle of composition. We had such guests as musical theater and film composer Sam Davis, as well as CSO musicians, providing a unique exploration of music. These events are a key component of our audience development mission and we brought many new patrons to Symphony Center.

Civic Orchestra Pre-Concert

The Overture Council has an ongoing relationship with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, part of the Negaunee Music Institute at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. We started a new custom this year of meeting for a happy hour before each Civic Orchestra concert and then enjoying the concert together. These were possibly some of the most-appreciated member-specific events, and a valuable perk of membership.

Membership Growth

We ended the season with approximately 150 members, a new high point, representing a diverse selection of Chicago-area young professionals.

Speaking of which, are you a Chicago-area young professional? Consider joining us for our ninth season! Annual dues are $50, we require a minimum contribution the CSO of $50 and attendance at two Symphony Center events, and that is all for great benefits including invitations to special events, ticket discounts, and more.

Music for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

I am taking a sabbatical from my full Musical Advent Calendar. I hope to prepare the full calendar in again for Advent 2017, but for Advent 2016, I will have a selection for each Sunday of this season. New posts in the series will be available on Saturday evenings.

Sunday, December 18 | The Fourth Sunday of Advent

"Adore Him"

Words and music by Kari Jobe, 2009

Performed by Kari Jobe on the album Worship and Adore: A Christmas Offering

(Song text is displayed in the video)

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen.

The Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

Music for the Third Sunday of Advent

I am taking a sabbatical from my full Musical Advent Calendar. I hope to prepare the full calendar in again for Advent 2017, but for Advent 2016, I will have a selection for each Sunday of this season. New posts in the series will be available on Saturday evenings.

Sunday, December 11 | The Third Sunday of Advent

"The First Noel"

Words a traditional English carol, exact origin unknown

Music by John Stainer, 1871, adapted by R. Christopher Teichler, 2006

Performed by the Wheaton College (IL) Concert Choir, Men's Glee Club, Women's Chorale, and Symphonic Band at the 2006 Wheaton College Christmas Festival

(Song text is displayed in the video)

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever, Amen.

The Collect for the Third Sunday of Advent

Music for the Second Sunday of Advent

I am taking a sabbatical from my full Musical Advent Calendar. I hope to prepare the full calendar in again for Advent 2017, but for Advent 2016, I will have a selection for each Sunday of this season. New posts in the series will be available on Saturday evenings.

Sunday, December 4 | The Second Sunday of Advent

"O Magnum Mysterium"

Words are a responsorial chant from the Matins of Christmas

Musical setting my Morten Lauridsen, 1994

Performed by the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, during "Christmas at King's," 2009

O magnum mysterium et admirable sacramentum
O great mystery and wonderful sacrament
Ut animalia viderent Dominum natum jacentem in praesepio
That animals should see the newborn Lord lying in a manger
Beata Virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt portare
Blessed is the Virgin whose womb was worthy to bear
Dominum Christum, amen
The Lord Christ, amen

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen.

The Collect for the Second Sunday of Advent

Music for the First Sunday of Advent

I am taking a sabbatical from my full Musical Advent Calendar. I hope to prepare the full calendar in again for Advent 2017, but for Advent 2016, I will have a selection for each Sunday of this season. New posts in the series will be available on Saturday evenings.

Sunday, November 27 | The First Sunday of Advent

"Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus"

Words by Charles Wesley, 1744

Music by Rowland H. Prichard, c. 1830

Performed by Fernando Ortega on the album "Christmas Songs," 2008

(Song text is displayed in the video)

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now and in the time of this mortal life in which your son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen.

The Collect for the First Sunday of Advent

First Seven Jobs

Because who doesn't love being part of a trending topic? Here we go...

My first job was paper carrier for the Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest. My route covered the four blocks of East Avenue between Roosevelt Road and the Eisenhower Expressway. I walked my route every Wednesday for many years and received lots of nice tips every Christmas.

My second employer was the Park District of Oak Park, and I had three different positions over five summers. My first summer, 2006, I was a bike attendant for the pools, an entry-level position that was new that summer. The next year I was a pool maintenance technician, and the following three summers I was a facility operations coordinator, the shift supervisor for all the maintenance staff.

In between those summers, when I was a student at Wheaton College, I had two different jobs. I was a stage manager for the Conservatory of Music (to which I credit my eventual arrival in the arts management profession) for seven of my eight semesters of undergrad and an office assistant to Dr. Tim Yontz, the director of bands and music education and my major adviser, for four semester.

My first "career" job (and I am not counting freelance trombone performance gigs and a handful of private lessons) was Assistant Band Director at Hadley Junior High School in Glen Ellyn, a year with all the challenges of being a first-year teacher but one I overall enjoyed and am grateful for.

And those were my first seven jobs. If you've read my biography, and have now done the math, you will know that I am already at double-digits for number of jobs held. In addition to the three I have now (with two employers), I also worked for a few months in 2014 for Quinlan & Fabish Music Company. If the hashtag had been #firstelevenjobs, I would have just made it.

So there you have it, a narrative form of my resume!

Encouragement for the Arts Manager

Being an arts manager, I am no stranger to the challenges my field faces from everything from after effects of the recession to the advent of mobile communications and entertainment technology. Hardly a week goes by without being in a staff meeting where someone references these challenges.

Perhaps I am a hopeless optimist, but I am hopeful for the future of the live performing arts, even if if looks vastly different in this century than it did in the last -- because I see that even while different than in the past, the live performing arts can still have incredible value and purpose in strengthening communities and celebrating common humanity across cultures.

I write about it today because I read two encouraging articles on the matter. A performing arts center in Southern California and a symphony orchestra in New England are not just avoiding the effects of these challenging times, but are finding ways to flourish, and doing so, it seems, with joy.

Life Update, Fall 2015

Dear Readers,

It has been something like 100+ days since my last post here at The Rubio Room. This morning I started work on my annual Musical Advent Calendar (watch this space on December 1), but I really did not want that to be the first post immediately following the one from June, so here I am. And I actually do have a lot to share from the last three months, if you will allow me a personal post about some of the highlights.

Work at Wheaton College

The spring/summer saw the departure of two members of the Conservatory staff. Heading into the fall and the new school year, my dean, Dr. Michael Wilder, asked me to assume some of the responsibilities left behind. In addition to continuing my role as Assistant Manager of the Wheaton College Artist Series, with responsibility for concert production, the student staff, and many audience development and marketing tasks, I now spend some of my time involved with Conservatory operations and special projects. One of my recent projects involved coloring.

Seating Chart for the annual Conservatory Children's Concerts

Naomi visited!

Just before the new school year began, Naomi, my girlfriend, visited Chicago for a few days. I took her to her first Cubs game, and we also heard a Grant Park Music Festival concert with Kurt Elling, visited Oak Park's Thursday Night Out and Farmers Market, and spent some much-needed time together.

Naomi and I at Wrigley Field. Cubs had an exciting win that day!

Artist Series

Just last weekend was Opening Night for our 66th season. Camerata Chicago, with special guest Sylvia McNair, presented an all-Gershwin concert. It was a spectacular and satisfying evening.

Soprano Sylvia McNair waves good night at the end of the Opening Night concert

Music Ministry

Calvary Memorial Church recently called a new Pastor of Worship and Music, Josh Caterer. (I would link to his biography on the church website, but he is so new it is not yet there.)

Two weekends ago was the first time the Chamber Orchestra worked with him. It was a great collaborative effort, as we joined with Josh to lead the congregation in two songs, the classic "O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing" and the modern song "Behold Our God."

The Sanctuary Choir resumed rehearsals two weeks ago. I missed that over the summer, and am glad of the chance to sing in a choral setting again.

New Apartment

In the midst of a very busy September, I somehow found time, with the help of my dad, to move to my new apartment. Don, my roommate, and I really like it. Separate dining room, fireplace (albeit non-functional), bits of stained glass, enclosed back porch, and a lot of improvements made just before we moved in.

View of the dining room (foreground) and living room (background)

And there was so much more beyond those highlights in the last few months. I heard the National Brass Ensemble in concert at Symphony Center, followed the Chicago Cubs as they secured their first postseason berth since 2008, had the privilege of witnessing the wedding of one of my best friends, and began leading my small group.

Life is good, as they say. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.