And Jesus said to Peter, “And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.”

This episode of Sounds from the Sanctuary features music inspired by St. Peter, specifically that exact line from Scripture, as it is from the Gospel reading for the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul - which this year 2025 falls on a Sunday. Some of the oldest Christian texts are the Tu Es Petrus quote from scripture and the sacred litany, Christus Vincit, both appropriate for this year’s solemnity, but also in celebration of the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope. Enjoy musical settings of these medieval texts - from the chanted litany to newly written settings by MacMillan, LaPrairie, and Chepponis, and of course, ending with Virgil Fox’s performance of Thou art the rock on the Hour of Power from our own Arboretum.

Here at Christ Cathedral, we are blessed with the uplifting sounds of the Hazel Wright Organ - the 5th-largest instrument ever constructed. On today’s episode of Sounds from the Sanctuary, we hear recordings from the Wanamaker Organ - the largest instrument in the world - even bigger than Hazel! The Wanamaker Organ was in a Macy’s department store in downtown Philadelphia, but Macy’s has recently closed that store, making it impossible to hear that instrument live. Hopefully, the building’s next owners will support this incredible treasure - the daily concerts from the Wanamaker Grand Court. In the meantime, let’s listen to some recordings of this unique instrument - from the Grand Court Organist himself, Peter Richard Conte; from the greatest organist of the 20th Century, Virgil Fox; and from a young organist recently a guest on Sounds from the Sanctuary, Aaron Patterson.

Everyone who studies music at the college level - violinists, pianists, music historians, theorists, and of course, organists - takes music history as a required course. Inevitably, in the opening weeks of that course, the main topic of discussion is Notre Dame - the great Cathedral of Paris, and the tradition of music that originates from that sacred space centuries upon centuries ago and continues to this day. Some of the oldest written music is from the Cathedral of Notre Dame and it is studied by every serious musician and foundational to western music tradition. In today’s programme, let us listen to the music of the Cathedral of Notre Dame including works by Perotin that are as old at the Cathedral itself, and new improvisations that were made up on the spot by the organists currently upholding the unique traditions of French, Catholic, Sacred Music.

Merry Christmas to all! On this episode of Sounds from the Sanctuary host David Ball curates a playlist of sacred music alternatives to the popular holiday music on the radio. Beginning with the traditional opening carol of Lessons & Carols (Robert Lehman’s The Lord at First Did Adam Make) to classics sung all around the world that bring us together during this most wonderful time of the year including beloved Willcocks arrangements of O Come all Ye Faithful, and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.

On this episode of Sounds from the Sanctuary, host David Ball is joined by fellow Juilliard Alum Craig Williams. Craig is currently the Organist and Choirmaster at the famed West Point Cadet Chapel, where another of the world’s largest pipe organs is located! He’ll share about his origins growing up in Orange County not far from the Crystal Cathedral, and his current duties at West Point, and his own concert career that takes him all over the world. David and Craig also chat about their experiences at the Juilliard School, and the importance of bringing to life newly written pieces for the organ, keeping pipe organ music alive and relevant!

Hymns are one of the most integral parts of Christian worship all around the world, and in today's episode of Sounds from the Sanctuary, host David Ball gives us a brief introduction various aspects of Hymnody before introducing a playlist of hymns from all different parts of Christianity. Listen to some of the Welch tunes sung at Royal Weddings in Westminster Abbey, a brand-new setting of a hymn by living composer and Church musician Raymond Nagem, and even a hymn sung as a round led by Tom Trenney at the organ! Those who sing, pray twice!

Today’s episode features rising star organist Aaron Patterson, who is visiting Orange County giving a concert at our neighboring community Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods. Also appearing alongside Aaron is Charlotte Hseih - organist at Geneva Church who organizes their yearly concert series that aims to share the beauty of music with Orange County by bringing young talented organists to play their wonderful Wicks organ. Aaron Paterson, today’s young organist, recently graduated from the Juilliard School with a Masters of Music degree after previously attending the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. Listen to this bright young talent speak passionately about music, in particular American music, and about his experience attending two of America’s most distinguished conservatories of music. Find out more at aaronpattersonorganist.com

In this episode, Cathedral Organist David Ball takes us through his own personal listening journey exploring the works of composer Maurice Duruflé. Although few works of the composer survive to this day, the ones that are published have all become staples of the choral and organ repertoire as they are music of the highest caliber, and all inspired by the ancient chants of the Catholic Church. Also featured is the Prelude in D by Daniel Ficarri (Cathedral Organist at St. John the Divine, NYC), commissioned by David to pair with one of Duruflé’s Fugues.

In this Episode of Sounds from the Sanctuary, meet Dolores Gomez, life-long church musician, singer, pianist, composer, and especially Christ Cathedral’s new Head of Hispanic Music Ministry. Hear some of Dolores compositions, her singing, and her collaborations with other famed composers of Hispanic liturgical music including Lourdes Montgomery and Peter Kolar. Host David Ball not only welcomes Dolores to Sounds from the Sanctuary but also to the Christ Cathedral Music Staff Family!

Enjoy this exclusive audio from the Organ and Choral Festival in Memory of Dr. Frederick Lewis Swann (1931 – 2022). This portion is part two of a program that was recorded live from Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove, California in January of 2024.