Friday Night Thoughts (directing Bogoroditse Devo)

Maggie directs Bogoroditse Devo - Stairwell Carollers

Tonight, I got to be the bard – the teller of tales, the maker of stories.

At our workshop, I had the pleasure of conducting Bogoroditse Devo…. And without really thinking, it became performance art. I stood in the centre of the circle and let my soul take me through the subtle dance that is this magnificent piece of music. 

Maggie, a bit overcome

For many years, this piece by Rachmaninoff has been one of my favourites. I enjoy Russian music immensely, and Rachmaninoff manages to touch the core of my being more than most. The exquisite sweeping melody lines that reach out to the Blessed Virgin are like the wings of angels touching the earth. The text can loosely be translated as follows:

Rejoice, O Virgin Mother of God,

Mary full of grace, the Lord is with Thee.

Blessed art Thee among women, 

And blessed is the Fruit of Thy womb,

For Thou has borne the Saviour of our souls.

This is a slight rewording of the more familiar “Hail Mary”:

Hail Mary, full of grace,

The Lord is with thee;

Blessed art thou among women

And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners,

Now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

I cannot express my joy and gratitude at being able to conduct this piece with such a gifted group of singers. Something profound came over me, and together we all became the music – it was like a dance, with me in the centre having the power to lead everyone. My arms became like wings, touching and guiding this choir of angels as we soared in this beautiful tribute to a higher power. The tapestry of blended voices evoked both colour and depth of feeling, and it was one of the most amazing moments of my life.

This one was for you, Mom. For you, Mary Park, always were and always will be *my* Mary, full of grace.

Margaret-Anne (Maggie) Park

Sat June 1st 2024 Stairwell Caroller Concert - Poster

 The Stairwell Carollers 2024 Spring Concert Saturday, June 1st at 7:30 pm

Get your tickets online HERE 

A registered Canadian charity, The Carollers also help local charities with net proceeds from concert tickets, CDs, Digital Downloads and Streaming sales.  Since 1997 we have donated over $143,800 to local charities and scholarships.

About The Stairwell Carollers:

Pierre Massie created our a cappella choir in 1977 while he was a music student at Ottawa University. With wins in both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competitions, we are ranked among the best of Ontario choirs.