|
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Voci del Tesoro?Voci del Tesoro is a touring choir of professional musicians dedicated to the prayerful presentation of the Catholic Church's finest music through sacred concerts and liturgies. Back to TopWhere does the name Voci del Tesoro come from?In many churches in Italy, just inside the door, is a sign that reads, "Tesoro," or "Treasure." The sign points the way to a place where the earthly treasures of the church are exhibited. There will be found vestments, paintings, statues, chalices, illuminated manuscripts, reliquaries, and other vessels of worship from ages past. No longer in everyday use, yet treasured, they enable one to glimpse the Eternal through the eyes of those who have gone before in faith. Voices of the Treasure symbolizes the sounds of the musical treasures, which do not exist in space, but rather in time, and can only be experienced when someone sings. Hildegard of Bingen wrote, "There is music of heaven in all things, and we have forgotten how to hear it until we sing." Back to TopIsn't this music being performed at all?Today the Church's vast treasury of music is heard mainly in secular settings, in concerts halls and universities. Voci del Tesoro puts it back in church to minister to the faithful and to glorify God. Back to TopWhat is the mission of Voci del Tesoro?The mission of Voci del Tesoro is to present sacred music, prayerfully, at the highest level of artistic excellence, to minister to the faithful, to promote excellence in musical leadership at the parish level and to glorify God. Voci del Tesoro reclaims the Church's treasury of music for the faithful for whom it was composed. Back to TopWhy is Voci del Tesoro a worthwhile endeavor?A. Sacred music played or sung well ministers by creating an atmosphere of prayer, spiritual awareness, and awareness of God's presence. In such an atmosphere, the faithful are more willing to open their hearts to hear God's voice in their individual lives. When God's people are moved, other ministries appear. B. Voci del Tesoro preserves sacred musical art. C. Voci del Tesoro promotes excellence in musical leadership at the parish level. D. Voci del Tesoro provides a mission for trained and talented musicians to use their gifts for the edification of the faithful and the glory of God. E. Pope John Paul II, in his Letter to Artists, April, 1999, writes, "There is...an ethic, even a 'spirituality' of artistic service, which contributes in its way to the life and renewal of a people." Back to TopWho is the targeted audience?A. Parishioners of southwest Florida Catholic churches B. In the broader community, Catholics with little exposure to choral excellence. Back to TopHow many singers will be in Voci del Tesoro?Minimum 16, hoping to expand to 24 when possible. Back to TopHow much will the tickets to the concerts cost?Because the parishioners are the target audience in their own church, there will be no admission charge. Offering envelopes will be provided on a freewill donation basis. Back to TopWill the individual hosting parishes have to pay a fee for Voci del Tesoro to give a concert in their church?No. Parishes will be made aware of the cost of producing a concert, and will be asked to give what they can, but will not be required to pay a fee. Many people, even church choir members, have never heard an excellent choir. Being unaware of choral excellence, they would not seek one out. In other words, they won't know how good sacred choral music can be until they hear it done well. Such people will, however, be willing to attend a free concert at their own parish church. Back to TopWill Voci del Tesoro present only music in Latin?No, but in an effort to preserve the rich treasury of musical art, it will emphasize historic music of the Catholic faith. The programs will be built around the core of Catholic music literature, but will not be limited to it. For example, music of early America, the English renaissance, African American spirituals, or a well-known hymn might round out a program and make the concert more accessible to the untrained ear. Back to TopIsn't this Latin stuff just plain old nostalgia?No, it is sacred art. The Church may have moved on to newer forms of worship, but we who have inherited sacred works of art should preserve them for their abilities to move the human soul. Should we destroy the great cathedrals? Whitewash the Sistine Chapel? Is listening to Mozart being nostalgic? When we value great works of art and history we become one with those who have gone before us in faith, and glimpse the Eternal through their eyes. We are moved in the same way that they were, to the same God. Back to TopWill Voci del Tesoro perform "contemporary music?Voci del Tesoro will not perform contemporary music of the so-called folk variety, for the simple reason that it is being done already in most parishes. Voci del Tesoro endeavors to provide music and quality that might not be heard otherwise. Voci del Tesoro will, however, perform some new and serious music as it fits the values and goals of the ensemble. Back to TopWhat will be the level of formality at the concerts?Short verbal explanations and/or insights will accompany printed programs with translations. Concert length will normally be approximately 40 minutes. Back to TopWhat kind of music will be sung at the Liturgy of the Hours?The assembled faithful will be asked to join in on hymns known to most as well as sung or chanted psalms (in English). The choir will sing the canticle. Back to TopWhy are the singers professionals?Employing only professional singers enables Voci del Tesoro not only to attract and retain the best singers, but also to make demands on them it could not make of volunteers. Singers who have achieved the expertise required for Voci del Tesoro have had many years of expensive training. By paying excellent singers we enable them to concentrate on their art, perform their ministry and use the God-given gifts. When good musicians are paid they are able to work and grow in the field of music, rather than wasting their gifts by earning livings in nonmusical jobs. The material compensation also gives dignity to musicians, and lets them know we value them and their art. The worker is worth his wage. Back to TopWhy do the singers have to be so good?Good sacred music performed well draws one's attention away from the composer and the performer and points it toward God. It lets the composer's intentions through. An unskilled choir attracts attention to its lack of skill, and does not achieve its goal. Back to TopIf people are just listening, how can they be involved?Listening is not necessarily a passive act. People can be involved by the act of attentive listening. When the readings are proclaimed at Mass, or when the priest prays the Eucharistic Prayer, people are involved with their community in the act of attentive listening. Our ancestors in faith were moved and educated by the artwork and music that surrounded them in church. It is our tradition that as a community, we actively "take in" the art and the music, reflect on it, and let our spirits be moved. Back to TopYou use the work "present" instead of "perform." Why?The word "perform" implies a showing off of skills. The word "present" implies an offering or a gift. The focus should not be on the singers, but rather on their ministry. Back to TopWill the singers have to be Catholic?No, but they must be willing to support the mission of Voci del Tesoro. Back to TopWhat kind of spirituality are you expecting of the singers?They must be, as Pope John Paul II puts it in his Letter to Artists, April 4, 1999, "obedient to their inspiration." We are all called and even obliged to use our talents in the building of the kingdom of God, and singers no less so. The singers will recognize their talent as a gift from God. The gift of music is one that must be humbly returned to God in service. Therefore, the singers must posses a desire to minister to the faithful through their art of music. Back to TopWhat does the Church have to say about musicians?Pope John Paul II, in his letter to artists, April 4, 1999 says, "The artist has a special relationship to beauty. In a very true sense it can be said the beauty is the vocation bestowed on him by the Creator in the gift of 'artistic talent'...Those who perceive in themselves this kind of divine spark which is the artistic vocation--as poet, writer, sculptor, architect, musician, actor and so on--feel at the same time the obligation not to waste this talent but to develop it, in order to put it at the service of their neighbor and of humanity as a whole." Back to TopDoes the "official Church" know about Voci del Tesoro?Yes. We are in the process of spreading the news of our formation and intentions. We have sent letters, brochures, and demo CDs to many bishops, especially those in Northern California, and many priests. We have many letters of acknowledgment and encouragement, including one from the Holy Father. (see Apostolic Blessing) Back to TopHow will Voci del Tesoro maintain its mission and its ties with the Catholic Church?A Catholic priest serves on the board of directors as consultant, spiritual advisor, and chaplain, as well as to give Voci del Tesoro added credibility as a Catholic choir. The priest will attend as many concerts as possible and will accompany us on tours. Back to TopYour motto is, "Catholic, Professional, Prayerful, No Apologies." Why no apologies?No apologies for being Catholic: Catholics have certain beliefs and practices, which are unique among Christians. Our liturgies and prayers, as well as our devotion to the Eucharist, the Blessed Mother, and the saints have inspired a great treasury of music that might hold little spiritual meaning to members of other denominations. We certainly welcome others, but we specialize in music tailored for Catholics. No apologies for being professional: In the process of involving the laity in liturgical leadership, many churches have become more concerned with the numbers of leaders rather than the quality of the leadership. This mentality calls forth anyone who will volunteer, regardless of their abilities, and God loves them for their efforts. Yet heartfelt as their work may be, unskilled artists do not hold the market on spirituality. If that were so we would never have known Michelangelo's Pieta or Handel's Hallelujah Chorus. Competency and spirituality are not in opposition.Trained, paid musicians who love and serve God must also have their place in the Universal Church. No apologies for being prayerful: Many church choirs begin their rehearsals without even the shortest prayer. The secularization of our society has even made its way into church! Group prayer requires a certain humility, but ministers who serve God together should pray together. Voci del Tesoro is not just a collection of professional musicians, but rather a collection of musicians who recognize their talent as a gift and humbly offer it back to God in service. This is what makes sacred music prayerful. As ministers, they pray a short prayer of dedication and thanks at rehearsals, and pray the Liturgy of the Hours with the parishes they visit. Diana Dallman Silva, Founder and Director of Voci del Tesoro, is Adjunct Professor of Music at Ave Maria University in Naples, FL. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at Davis, her Master of Music degree in Church Music from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, and then continued her studies in sacred choral music and viola da gamba at the Sweelinck Conservatorium in Amsterdam. Later, she took courses related to the science of vocal production, sound and audiology at San Francisco State University. She has sung in the choruses of the New York Philharmonic and the San Francisco Symphony, and has served on the music faculty at U.C.Davis. She has performed as a singer, choral director, and gambist throughout the United States and Europe, and has performed for Pope John Paul II on three occasions. She is a member of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, Chorus America, and the San Francisco Early Music Society. She lives in Naples with her husband, three children, and numerous pets. Back to TopHome
/More about VdT/Apostolic
Blessing/
|
