CtR Catholic School Appreciates Classical Bach at the Co-Cathedral

CtR Catholic School student Benjamin Block at Bach presentation.

Christ the Redeemer Catholic School 3rd and 4th grade students went on their first field trip to listen to the famous J.S. Bach organ pieces on Oct. 6 at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in downtown Houston.

Christopher Jacobson, the featured Duke University Chapel Organist and formerly Assistant Organist at Washington National Cathedral, performed in a rare two-day event. On Oct. 6 and 7, Jacobson performed the complete 257 organ works of Bach in the short span of 22 hours. These performances were cataloged in 14 recitals, each 60-90 minutes long.

CtR Catholic School Spanish, music and art teacher Mary Ann Addis said this presentation was important for the students to witness.

?They carried much delight in seeing a passionate organist's attempt to bring one's heart closer to God through each key stroke,? Addis said. ?The Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston is such a beautiful sanctuary. The sound of the organ along with the beauty of the crucifix, statues, candles and stained glass windows, were both prayerful and enriching to the mind, heart and soul, which is the philosophy of Catholic schools.?

Addis said, even though Bach was a church musician, many of his organ works were freely composed and  not based on any hymn tune or preexisting textual or musical theme. In spite of this, Addis said, all of his music is sacred in some sense.

?We all consider him the greatest church musician for a good reason,? Addis continued. ?The orderliness of his creative energy, the balance of delightful freedom and structured discipline that you hear in his music - it's beautiful to people because it participates in one of God's most marvelous attributes: His creativity. We all share that capacity as human beings. We know instinctively that the best things in life come from a combination of hard work and those moments of inspiration that come as a gift.?