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IHM
CD - "With One Voice" The Story... |
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Once
Upon a Time...
The idea of putting together a recording has been an IHM Dream
for quite some time. It began to take shape in the middle of the
1980s when Sr. Amy Zychal,IHM became the first Director of Development.
This specific project, however, is the result of a proposal made
to the IHM Leadership Team by Sr. Trish Scalese IHM. Donations
from over nine hundred IHM Benefactors have helped make this dream
a reality.
A Core Group of IHMs comprised of Srs. Eva Marie Zloutcha (Director
of IHM Arts Ministry), Mary Jo Gallagher (Leadership Team),
Trish Scalese, Joan McCusker, Cathy Luxner, and Mariam Pfeifer
began meeting to organize and plan for this project in the beginning
of the 21st Century.
Finally, the call went out for volunteers to be a part of the
project and the first of the day long, monthly rehearsals happened.
Since the participants were in different geographic locations,
regional practices were held for chorus members only in the
fall. With the arrival of the New Year, all members, including
instrumentalists, traveled to Scranton for joint rehearsals.
After all of the practice sessions were complete, the more
than sixty chorus and instrumentalists headed out to the many
convent homes that would provide hospitality for the three long
days of taping at the Kaufman Astoria Studio in Queens, NY.
Now, after spending the summer in the editing studio, With
One Voice is just about ready for its arrival on the
public stage. |
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Singing
and Spirituality
For Scranton IHMs, song as a part of one's prayer life traces
its roots all the way back to the Co-Founders of the Congregation,
Mother Theresa Maxis and Fr. Louis Gillet. Fr. Gillet was a Redemptorist
priest. Mother Theresa, even after his departure, made sure that
the IHM Congregation continued in the Redemptorist tradition by
adopting the Alphonsian Spirituality of their Founder. "O
God of Loveliness," one of the selections on the CD, is one
of the many hymns composed by St. Alphonsus Liguori (see St.
Alphonsus Liguori on the IHM Website.)
To read more about the founding of the IHM Congregation and Mother
Theresa's struggles to keep the Redemptorist tradition alive
in the completing of the new IHM Congregation Rule. |
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Meet
Our Creative Team
Sisters Trish Scalese and Joan McCusker have been a part of this
project from its very beginning. Whether it was planning, rehearsing,
composing, conducting,
performing or reviewing the final editing; Trish and Joan have
been a part of this project from start to finish. Find out more
about these two talented IHMs. |
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Sr.
Joan McCusker, IHM
(Our Director)
Joan McCusker, IHM, is assistant professor of music education
at Marywood University, where she teaches in the undergraduate
and graduate music education programs and supervises student teachers.
Sr. Joan holds degrees from Marywood University (BM '79), Ithaca
College (MM '90), and the Eastman School of Music (Ph.D., 2001).
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Sr.
Trish Scalese, IHM
Trish was born and raised in Dunmore, PA. She's the daughter of
Eleanor and the late Ross Scalese.She has five brothers.Trish
plays the organ and the piano and is a featured vocalist on the
CD. She has a Bachelors of Music Ed. from Marywood University
(1992) where she was a voice major.
Trish recently completed her ministry as music teacher and Director
of Religious Formation at Sacred Heart Jr./Sr. High School in
Carbondale, PA. In the past, she has served as a music teacher
at Holy Rosary Grade School in Scranton, a campus minister at
Marywood University, and an organist at both St. Anthony of Padua
Church in Dunmore and Immaculate Conception Church in Scranton.
This is not the first time that Trish has been a part of a recording
project. She composed music for and sang for the Passionist Sacred
Music: Every Knee Shall Bend, and By
the Breath of God. She also sang and played for Kris
Kearns on her recording titled: My Heart is like a Garden.
Trish's comment about being a part of this project:
"It has been such an honor to be a part of the creation
of this CD. I am pleased that we are able to give reverence
to the sisters who have gone before us and share our love of
God through this recording. It is a wonderful example of the
strength of community. No one person could have succeeded in
making this dream come true for our congregation. It needed
the efforts of so many people to accomplish this endeavor. I
truly hope that those who listen to this will come to know in
a deeper way the spirit of IHM sisters and the beauty and hope
that is our God"
If you want to give Trish any feedback on the the recording,
you can e-mail her at: scaleseihm@hotmail.com |
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Sr.
Alphonsa Concilio, IHM
(Our Vocal Coach)
Though we all loved to sing, we were far from a group of "professional
singers." From our monthly practices to our daily recording
sessions, we depended on the skills, training and patience of
our vocal coach, Sr. Alphonsa Concilio, IHM.
Sr. M. Alphonsa Concilio, has been teaching voice at Marywood
University for many years. Her educational credits include a
B. A. and M.A. from Marywood and an M.A. from St. Louis University
with work at many other universities. Her vocal training has
included study with Sr. M. Davidica Kildea, IHM, W.V. Reed and
Dr. Thomas Houser with whom she studied and collaborated in
summer workshops for more than 15 years. Teaching singing is
something that she loves doing and her love of the voice brings
great joy to her life. |
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Sr.
Immaculate Severino, IHM
(Our Accompanist)
Whether organ or piano, Sr. Immaculate Severino, IHM, served as
the accompanist for every musical selection on this recording
and for all of the rehearsals. A challenging task for any musician,
this accomplishment is all the more impressive when considered
from the perspective that Sr. Immaculate has already been retired
from her position at the Marywood University Music Department
for two years and, if you look closely at her not-so-large hands,
you'll find the definite signs of arthritis in both of her hands.
Sr. Immaculate Severino, IHM, Associate Professor Emeritus,
Marywood University, served 31 years as a faculty member of
the Music Department where she taught Applied and Class Piano,
Keyboard Harmony, Piano Literature and Piano Pedagogy. In addition
to her teaching responsibilities she served as accompanist for
the campus choir, student and faculty soloists, and campus and
Congregational worship services.
She earned her Master of Music Degree from the University
of Notre Dame and continued post-graduate studies at Peabody
Conservatory, Boston University, Catholic University of America,
Manhattan School of Music, Penn State University and Westminster
Choir College.
Sister holds the rank of Master Teacher Certification in Piano
from the Music Teachers' National Association.
Currently, Sister is in residence at the IHM Center, Scranton,
PA, where she serves as Liturgist/Organist and has an active
piano studio. |
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Sr.
Margaret Gannon, IHM
Sr. Margaret Gannon, IHM is Professor of History at Marywood University.
She teaches courses in Developing World Studies, Women's Studies,
and Peace Studies and chairs the Social Science Department at
Marywood.
She sings at every available opportunity, especially in choral
settings. She is happy to participate with her sisters in this
exciting recording adventure. |
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Rachel
Terry
Rachel Terry graduated from Marywood University with a degree
in Music Education. She grew up in Millville, New Jersey in a
family of six musicians. A life-long lover of music, Rachel has
piano and vocal training, and her passion lies in choral singing.
She has sung with the Westminster Choir College Vocal Institute,
the Marywood University Campus Choir and Chamber Singers, the
Robert Dale Chorale, the Pennsylvania Collegiate Choral Association
Honor Choir, and most recently, the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia.
While with the Mendelssohn Club, she had the priviledge of sharing
the stage with the Delaware Valley Symphony and the grammy award
winning Philadelphia Orchestra. Rachel is currently an elementary
school music teacher in Scranton, PA and is happily entering the
IHM community in the fall of 2004.
To find out more about Rachel's
entrance into the IHM Congregation and the IHM Congregation's
Incorporation Program : Interested
in Joining Us. |
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The
Instrumentalists
In addition to the Sisters and Dave, three of our other friends
assisted us in completing this project by serving as instrumentalists
on our recording: Elizabeth Burke, Melissa Lambert, and Connie
McDermott.
Besides Sr. Immaculate on the Piano/Organ, the other IHM instrumentalists
include: Ann Bubser, IHM; Mary Mercy Gilbart, IHM; Myra Gilbart,
IHM; Marylin Grosselfinger, IHM; Ruth Harkins, IHM; Frances Mary
Rundell, IHM; Trish Scalese, IHM; Lila Sciabica, IHM; John Michele
Southwick, IHM; Kieran Williams, IHM |
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Our
Chorus
From September through June, a group of approximately fifty-five
sisters gathered for day long rehearsals in preparation for this
recording. Coming together from Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey,
Maryland, North Carolina (and all ports in between!)
The following is a list of the Scranton IHMs who participated
in the Chorus. If you recognize any of them and want to contact
them personally, check out our IHM
E-mail Directory:
Joan Bastress, IHM; Ann Mary Boslett, IHM; Ann Bubser, IHM; Mary
Ann Cody, IHM; Alphonsa Concilio, IHM; Jean Coughlin, IHM; Joan
Coyne, IHM; Mary Kay Faliskie, IHM; Maryla Farfour, IHM; Margaret
Gannon, IHM; Estelle Gavel, IHM; Mary Mercy Gilbart, IHM; Myra
Gilbart, IHM; Linda Ann Greenberg, IHM; Rosemarie Gregorio, IHM;
Francis Xavier Grieb, IHM; Marylin Grosselfinger, IHM; Ruth Harkins,
IHM; Jeremy Hornung, IHM; Daniel Mary Heisey, IHM; Eleanor Kalafut,
IHM;Mary Talbot Kelleher, IHM; Mary Ann Lang, IHM; Catherine Luxner,
IHM; Mary Jane Maloney, IHM; Kathleen McNulty, IHM; Angela Miller,
IHM; Marie Moore, IHM; Rosemarie Mozzachio, IHM; Adele Mullen,
IHM; Joan Ottman, IHM; Mariam Pfeifer, IHM; Maria Grace Quartiero,
IHM; Frances Mary Rundell, IHM; Lila Sciabica, IHM; Mary Sheehan,
IHM; Maria del Rey Shevlin, IHM; Jane Snyder, IHM; John Michele
Southwick, IHM; Rachel Terry; Joan Thompson, IHM; Maria Goretti
Timperio, IHM; Cecilia Tji, IHM; Patt Walsh, IHM; DeSales Williams,
IHM; Kieran Williams, IHM; Doreen Willis, IHM; Eva Marie Zlotucha,
IHM; Amy Zychal, IHM |
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Our
Selections
Beyond the fact, as mentioned above, that IHMs in our
Alphonsian tradition, love to sing; we did have particular reasons
for including each of the selections found on this recording.
Several of the selections were included because we wanted to
preserve some music that has long been a part of our IHM traditions
and ritual celebrations. The Salve Regina is
the hymn each IHM sings as she makes and renews her vows and
it’s the last hymn sung to her as she is laid to her eternal
rest. The three-part Magnificat has traditionally
been sung at special feasts of the Blessed Mother, in particular,
on the feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th. Ave
Verum Corpus by Mozart is another traditional hymn
but not one well known to the younger members of the chorus.
This selection is a good example of one of the purposes of the
project – older members of the congregation wishing to
preserve music while there are enough members alive who remember
singing it! O God of Loveliness is not only
a favorite hymn but its inclusion pays tribute to our patron
– St. Alphonsus Liguori.
One selection on the recording is a modern version of the Ave
Maria that includes both the traditional Gregorian
chant and a combination of the Latin, Ave Maria and the English,
Hail Mary. It’s become a modern-day favorite of many members
of the congregation.
Cancion de Missionero is a song that has been passed
on to us from our sisters who have served in ministry to the
people of Peru. One of the country’s folk songs, it speaks
of the works of a missionary.
The rest of the selections on this recording have been composed
either by Trish Scalese, IHM or Joan McCusker, IHM
The title selection – With One Voice
– was originally written by Joan for the IHM Sesquicentennial
in 1994. Adoration and Vespers in Late
Spring are two original piano compositions written
and performed by Joan on this recording.
The Richness of Our God and Spirit
God are compositions by Trish where you can hear her
solo voice blended in with the chorus. Trish gives a solo performance
in On A Day Like This and Choose Life.
The lyrics for On A Day Like This were inspired
by the poetry of a number of living and deceased IHMs. When
rehearsals began in the Fall of 2003, the Chorus included two
members who Returned Home to God during the year – Sr.
Josepha Connolly, IHM and Sr. Thomas Aquinas Kielceski, IHM.
Trish has dedicated this song to their memory.
With One Voice is intended not only to make
music, but, for Scranton IHMs, it is also making memories!
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Our
Producers
When this project began, one of the most critical decisions that
needed to be made was to select a professional producer who would
guide the project through its conclusion. Core Group member, Sr.
Mariam Pfeifer, IHM, had had the opportunity to play in an ensemble
with Michael Fine and he had given her his business card and told
her that if "she ever happened to get involved in something
like this.." to look him up! What a lucky day that chance
opportunity turned out to be! As it turns out, Michael Fine was
not only a producer, but, he's an internationally known, award
winning producer who's received eleven Grammy nominations which
resulted in seven Grammy Awards to date (and most international
music awards as well!). Having worked with the likes of musicians
such as Leonard Bernstein or the London Symphony Orchestra working
with a group of nuns was quite an interesting experience for Michael.
The quality of our recording is due, in large part, to his extraordinary
musical talent and his driving energy for perfection.
To find out more about Michael and his wife Tammy and their work
together, check out their own website: Fine
Sound Production |
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The
Recording Studio
For most of us, this marked our first experience in a recording
studio. And what a place to start! The KAS Music & Sound Studio
is part of the Kaufman Astoria Studios in Queens, NY. This building
houses what is now the largest recording, film and television
studio on the East Coast. Each day as we arrived for our recording
session, we needed to stop and get special security badges identifying
the locations in the building we were permitted to visit. On the
floors above us, Steve Martin was filming a remake of The
Pink Panther, and they were taping Sesame Street
and Whoopi Goldberg had just finished taping her weekly comedy
show as well.
We did our recording in the same studio where other artists -
from Barry Manilow to Placido Domingo - had recorded their own
Grammy-award winning music. What a sense of history!
Find out more about our incredible recording studio and the many
other artists who have worked there: Kaufman
Astoria Studios |
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Send
us your Feedback
We are anxious to know what you think about our recording. If
you have listened to the clips on this website or if you have
already received your copy, please send us your feedback at: ihmcd@sistersofihm.org |
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