Colleen Ortega

INTRODUCTION

Working in a church, writing for one's choir and congregation is a natural activity
for any music director. Occasionally, one has the time to spend diligently crafting works
for liturgies. Many times, it seems, one must write a quick refrain or antiphon on a
moment's notice. In either case, however, it is a wonderful opportunity to create custom,
personalized works for worship; works that challenge, develop skills and teach choir
members and congregation. Who better to know the show more capabilities of a church choir and its
congregation than the church's own director of music? Creating such music becomes an
educational moment. In my experience, most people who join volunteer church choirs
want to improve their voices and learn more about music in general, in addition to any
spiritual considerations. These dedicated singers are truly life long learners. It is the
responsibility ofthe director, then, to give them the proper training and materials to help
achieve the best vocal mechanism for each member and the best ensemble with the
members assembled. The compositions, 0 Sacred River and A Pure Heart, fall into the
category of challenging, skill developing and teaching works, especially for the choir
members for which they were intended. show less