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. 

Preview the musical selections for the upcoming A CHORAL ADORATION at Christ Cathedral - a solemn evening of sung prayer and reflection that will include Exposition, Adoration, and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. As part of the Eucharistic Revival, meditate in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament accompanied by the greatest music of the sacred choral repertoire, previewed in today’s show - Allegri’s Miserere Mei, Tallis’s Spam in Album, and music by American composers Robert Lehman, Jessica French, Ryan Dodge, Kinley Lange, Alexander Pattavina and Moses Hogan. If you find this preview inspiring, find out more at christcathedralmusic.org and join us for this incredible evening on Tuesday, March 5th (2024) at 7:30pm.

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

It is tempting to think that the time between Christmas and Lent - the liturgical season called “Ordinary Time” - would be a time of simple music. In fact, this liturgical season is only called “ordinary” in reference to how the Sundays are counted. The scripture readings for these Sundays speak of Jesus’s journey, preaching, and incredible miracles. So of course, the music inspired by Christ’s teaching and healing is no less extraordinary. Hear some of the stunning choral music of this “ordinary” liturgical season alongside host and Cathedral Organist David Ball. Find out more at ChristCathedralMusic.org