Archive – Sounds From The Sanctuary

August 18, 2021

Episode 17: Rebecca Ehren Yale Organ Student

The American Guild of Organists has declared this year as the “Year of the Young Organist”. Every musician has their own story of finding music and discovering their artistic and career path. In this episode, hear the ongoing story of one young organist, Rebecca Ehren, 29 (the same age as our host, David Ball) – from her beginnings in Canada, her academic degrees, and lately to her studies at the famed Yale School of Music and Institute of Sacred Music.

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August 18, 2021

Episode 16: Norberto Guinaldo, Local Composer and Organist

Argentinian-born Norberto Guinaldo is one of the most recognized composers, organists, and church musicians in the world and has resided here in Orange County for over 50 years. Listen to some of his amazing compositions, one even dedicated to our host David Ball, and hear all about the journeys around the world of this incredible musician – from his origins in Buenos Aires, his studies in Paris, and his long career as a church musician in Southern California. Norberto’s works for organ are a beautiful mix of styles influenced by this man’s incredible life experiences – the folk tunes of…

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August 18, 2021

Episode 15: An Episode for Springtime

Springtime is a time of celebration – the end of the Academic year, the choral year, graduations, and a whole variety of important Solemnities including Pentecost, the “birthday” of the Church. In this Episode we listen to the music of Spring – from the Classical hits to the ancient chants of the church to Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance played by Paul Jacobs, the beloved tune heard all around the world at graduation ceremonies. Enjoy the refreshing and renewing music of the springtime!

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May 12, 2021

Episode No. 13: A Choral Scholar’s Covid Easter

In the midst of the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Triduum and Easter services at Christ Cathedral signaled hope for the future with the brief return of choral music from a small but mighty Cathedral Schola of seven singers. Each of them were spaced over 25 feet apart in the choir loft conducted by our Host, David Ball, Cathedral Organist and Acting Head of Music Ministry. For experienced church musicians like David and one of today’s guests Lauren McCaul, Cathedral Music Administrator and Soprano in the Schola, this year’s Easter services are memorable in their uniqueness – singing in a very small…

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May 12, 2021

Episode No. 12: Renaissance Man Thompson Howell

Renaissance man Thompson Howell joins us on Sounds from the Sanctuary to discuss his multifaceted career in theater, church music, and voice over. His talents have taken him on adventures throughout the country – from his beginnings in Boston, to kicking off his career in the midwest, and lately, settling here in Southern California working as a Voice Over Actor and hosting the official podcast of the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Enjoy David and Thompson discuss the intersection of Church Music and Acting as well as some rarely-heard, historic organ recordings. More on this episode’s…

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March 27, 2021

Episode 11: AMPLIFY Female Composers – Virtual Stations of the Cross

In the midst of the COVID pandemic, acclaimed organists and church musicians Janet Yieh and Carolyn Craig collaborated in founding Amplify Female Composers - a project dedicated to promoting music written by female composers. As a preview for their spring 2021 offering - a virtual Stations of the Cross featuring organists playing solemn meditations - Janet and Carolyn join host David Ball to introduce our listeners to this important project highlighting some beautiful tracks both from their 2020 Virtual Advent Calendar and the upcoming Stations of the Cross featuring performances by church musicians and choirs across the United States, England,…

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March 6, 2021

Episode 10: Voices in a Quiet

Inspired by Instagram photos of Christ Cathedral, hauntingly beautiful, emptied because of the pandemic, Alan Terricciano (featured in Episode 9) composed Voices in a Quiet Cathedral for solo organ. With Alan as our guide, words from the mind of the composer himself accompany our journey through this new work hearing the background story behind each moment of this stunningly serene music performed by our host David Ball on the gorgeous Walker Technical Organ at Christ Cathedral. Also featuring Enceladus recorded in the legendary, spatial acoustic of St. Paul the Apostle Church, Lincoln Center, NYC.

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