outburst sister marion verhaalen, osf
TRANSCRIPT
The Music Ministry of Lumen Christi Parish
presents
the third in the Jeanne E. Schmitz Memorial
Organ Recital Series
He is Risen, Indeed!
featuring
Mary Jane Wagner, SSSF, organist
Greg Garcia, trumpet
Sunday April 11, 2021 3:00 p.m.
Lumen Christi Catholic Church
Mequon Wisconsin
Outburst Sister Marion Verhaalen, OSF
A School Sister of St. Francis, Sister Marion Verhaalen was a teacher, a
composer, a piano pedagogue, a writer. As a composer she wrote
both instrumental and vocal/choral music. Her doctoral studies at
Columbia University led to her getting an OAS grant to Brazil (yes, she
also spoke Portuguese) where she researched and wrote the definitive
biography of Brazil’s most famous composer, Camargo Guarnieri .
Sister Marion introduced the Robert Pace Method of learning piano,
incorporating music theory, improvisation, and ensemble experiences,
to hundreds of piano teachers in Brazil. She promoted the Pace
Method in all the places she taught: Alverno College, Wisconsin
Conservatory of Music, Cardinal Stritch University and the Milwaukee
Public School system. “Outburst” provides a spectrum of joyful, soulful,
playful qualities.
The Face of the Father’s Mercy Brian McLinden
On this “Divine Mercy Sunday,” it is fitting to sing this hymn, commissioned by
the Milwaukee Archdiocese during the Year of Mercy. Both the text and the
music are the creation of Brian McLinden, pastoral musician at Queen of
Apostles in Pewaukee. This hymn is a prayer for our times. Reflecting on the
text invites the listener and the singer to attend to new sounds and images,
e.g. “bathe them in consolation’s oil.”
Please join in singing the refrain.
Victimae Paschali Laudes Sister Theophane Hytrek
Sister Theophane Hytrek, also a School Sister of St. Francis, had amazing talent which
fortunately was recognized early in her life. She came to the SSSF community when
she was 14. She composed in many different genres, including organ solo music.
Sister was known locally at Alverno College (her entire career) and throughout the
Milwaukee Archdiocese; nationally, through organizations, concerts, workshops and
teaching, and internationally as a composer, teacher, pedagogue, and leader in
church music. This work is from early in her life. “Victimae Paschali Laudes” is the
sequence for Easter Sunday and you will easily recognize the tune. Below is the text
of the sequence in English.
Christians, praise the Paschal Victim! Offer thankful sacrifice.
Christ the Lamb has saved the sheep, Christ the just one paid the price,
reconciling sinners to the Father.
Death and life fought bitterly for this wondrous victory;
the Lord of life who died reigns glorified.
O Mary, come and say what you saw at break of day.
“The empty tomb of my living Lord! I saw Christ Jesus risen and adored!”
Bright angels testified, shroud and grave clothes side by side!
“Yes, Christ my hope rose gloriously. He goes before you into Galilee.”
Share the good news, sing joyfully: His death is victory!
Lord Jesus, Victor King, Show us mercy.
He is Risen Eugene Englert
This dramatic setting of the resurrection is a compelling act of
proclamation. “He is risen; he is not here!” Place yourself in that garden
with Jesus’ followers. Just bask in the truth and wonder of this message.
Toccata: I Believe in One God Mary Beth Bennett
This organ work was commissioned by the SSSF to celebrate the
Centennial of St. Joseph Chapel in 2017. Mary Beth Bennett, a nationally
renowned organist, published composer and teacher, chose the Latin
chant Credo III (hence, “I Believe in One God”) as the theme of this
piece. At Sister Mary Jane’s request, she incorporated the Franciscan
Blessing (“May God Bless you and keep you…”) used frequently by the
SSSFs. At the very end of the organ work, she creates a “Soggetto
Cavato” using our SSSF congregational name.
Adagio Samuel Barber
Arr. William Strickland
This familiar work has been arranged for many different instruments
and even a choral version. It encompasses emotions that run the
spectrum from utter tranquility to teaming ecstasy. One of my reasons
for choosing this selection is that it demonstrates how the organ can
sound like an orchestra.
Mercy and Truth Psalm 85:10-13
Setting: Ned Rorem (b. 1923)
Mercy and truth are met together,
Righteousness and peace have kissed;
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
And righteousness shall look down from heaven.
Yea, the Lord shall show loving kindness,
And our land shall yield her increase;
Righteousness shall go before him,
And peace shall be the pathway of his steps.
Partita on “St. Anne” Paul Manz
Paul Manz is one of the “giants” in church music of the 20th century, and
into the 21st. A Minnesotan Lutheran, he was a great advocate of the
hymn festival, which evolved beyond the Lutheran tradition and became
an ecumenical experience. Many of his numerous choral preludes
began as improvisations prepared for these festivals, as well as for Sunday
worship. We both studied organ with Belgian composer/concert artist/
teacher, Flor Peeters. In fact we were privileged to be present together
at Flor’s funeral, in July, 1986, Mechelen, Belgium.
“Partita on St. Anne” was originally six variations, each one inspired by the
verses of the hymn in Lutheran hymnals (and beyond, ecumenically) of
the late 20th century. Some 20 years later, Paul expanded this work by
adding the “Introduction” and “Fantasie” which introduced the Latin
Chant “Dies Irae”. This setting of variations on the hymntune, “St. Anne”
was chosen to explore and to display the variety of sounds of this organ.
O God, Our Help in Ages Past text: based on psalm 90
Isaac Watts (1674 – 1748)
tune: William Croft (1678—1727)
I. Introduction
II. Theme
O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come
Our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home.
III. Adagio
Under the shadow of your throne your saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is your arm alone, and our defense is sure.
IV. Fantasie (Dies Irae, Dies illa)
V. Canon
Before the hills in order stood, or earth received her frame,
From everlasting thou art God, to endless years the same.
VI. Presto
A thousand ages in thy sight are like an evening gone,
Short as the watch that ends the night before the rising sun.
VII. Pastorale
Time, like an ever-rolling stream, soon bears us all away;
We fly forgotten, as a dream dies at the opening day.
VIII. Fugue-Finale
O God our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
Still be our guide while troubles last. last, and our eternal home.
The Hallelujah Chorus Geroge Frideric Handel
from Messiah (1685–1758)
SISTER MARY JANE WAGNER, SSSF
Sister Mary Jane was blessed with many opportunities as a child and young adult to cultivate
her talent. Beginning at age 10, she played and sang daily high mass at Holy Name Parish in
Sheboygan, where her uncle was the pastor. As a sophomore in high school, she
accompanied the Adult Choir at Holy Name. She had the best teachers possible: her sister,
Sister Roseann, and then Marion Grotelueschen for piano; Sister Mary Edmund, SSND and
Donald Frazee for organ. At Alverno College, she majored in both organ and piano, again
having the most outstanding teachers in Sisters Theophane and Seraphim. At the Eastman
School of Music, upon earning her Master of Music in Literature and Performance in organ,
she was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to spend a year in Europe studying with Flor Peeters.
Sister Mary Jane is a School Sister of St. Francis. Her life work has been centered around music
for worship and also, teaching. As Director of Music at the Cathedral of St. John, she built a
liturgical music program and a fine arts program there, that ranked well among her colleagues
of Cathedral musicians throughout the United States. She has been Director of Liturgy and Mu-
sic at St. Mary’s Visitation Parish, Elm Grove. She has been assistant professor of music at
Alverno College; and adjunct professor at Silver Lake College, Manitowoc and St. Joseph
College, Rensselaer, Indiana. Her Masters Degree in Religious Studies at the Catholic University
of America focused on liturgy. Sister’s Graduate Certificate in Spirituality from Catholic
Theological Union prepared her for ministerial formation. In the past decade, Sister Mary Jane
has returned to her congregation’s Motherhouse to be Director of Music Ministry there.
Throughout her professional life, she has performed organ in concerts throughout the United
States and in Canada.
Jeanne loved the sound and the splendor of a great pipe
organ at Mass. When its deep bass resonated within her she
felt closer to God. She felt that a great organ inspired deep
prayer and elevated the Mass into an even more
transcendent experience. I suggested to Fr. Dan Sanders that
perhaps Lumen Christi would like a pipe organ in the new
church; Fr. Dan felt a digital organ would be a better fit,
literally and figuratively. I am so grateful to be able to honor
Jeanne and share with the community of Lumen Christi with
the Rodgers Infinity Series digital organ, and with this
memorial recital series.
Mike Schmitz April 2021
Musicians
Sr. Mary Jane Wagner, SSSF, organ
Greg Garcia, trumpet
Peter Behlmar, timpani
Schola
Margaret Caldwell, director
Elizabeth Barrington
Katie Cabral
Daniel DeSaulniers
Susan Kolbe
James Lopina
Bruce Rowe
Moira Shaughnessy
Anthony Zuccaro
Liturgy and Music Staff
Margaret Caldwell, Director of Liturgy and Music
Moira Shaughnessy, Liturgy Assistant
Jill Gahn, Liturgy Assistant
Prayer and Worship Commission
Elizabeth Barrington, Chair
Linda Bergemann
Margaret Caldwell
Jill Gahn
Kate Heinzman
Father Matthew Jacob
James Kochan
Jim Karolewicz
Joanne Plamann
Moira Shaughnessy
Kathy Simon
Al Trenshaw
Mary Tobin