The Official Newspaper of the Diocese of Little Rock
If ever there was an equation that added up to "Mission Impossible," it might look like this: Take hundreds of singers from 33 parishes, members of two symphony orchestras and a handful of parish musicians and get them to perform in synch in just one day.
Such was the task for Dr. Kevin Forte, who oversaw the music for Bishop Anthony B. Taylor's ordination at the Statehouse Convention Center on June 5. He also led the music at Christ the King Church for the Vespers Service on June 4. Both events were in Little Rock.
"If you add that the event is mid-week, at the start of summer vacation and that participation would require, for many, an overnight stay in Little Rock, it would seem impossible," he said. "Well, obviously, putting it all together is possible and some factors made it not only possible, but fun and enjoyable.
"First and foremost, our Lord was with each of us, helping us learn and directing us as we sang and played this music," Forte said. "I cannot thank enough the music directors at each participating parish. These directors did a tremendous job rehearsing their choirs prior arriving at the Statehouse Convention Center."
"Actually, for me, Thursday morning's rehearsal was simply putting it all together as each and every choir was well prepared," he said.
Guest conductor John Erwin and St. Edward Spanish choir director Manuela Negrete who "assisted me in directing the diocesan and Spanish choirs were an invaluable asset to me," he said.
Selecting the right music from thousands of choices that spanned the centuries was a challenge. "We tried to pick pieces that were not only sing-able, but also many pieces that were in Spanish and English," Forte said.
In addition to coordinating, Forte played organ and piano. There were 19 total musicians, including a brass quartet and string quintet, various winds and percussion, as well as guitarists and additional percussion and keyboards for the Spanish choir.
Among the 300 singers were four Christ the King schola members and two cantors, Bernard Turgeon and Suzanne Banister. Turgeon served as cantor at Bishop Sartain's ordination in 2000.
Forte said Banister "brought the house down singing Mozart's 'Alleluia' from Exsultate Jubilate during the new bishop's blessing at the end of the Mass."
To hear an excerpt from Bishop Taylor's ordination service, click here to go to the bishop's audio page.
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