St. Francis of Assisi

On April 26, 2008, Father Edward L. Richardson, a Roman Catholic priest went to the angels, as beautifully put in his memorium. At St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Brigantine, New Jersey, Father Richardson had many loving and beloved friends. We have missed him and his great devotion and leadership. It was only yesterday, April 30, 2012, that I saw the beautiful passage on the last page of a special memorium that was put together for Father. It was a passage called Be at Peace, and it had been written by St. Francis of Assisi. It is remarkably appropriate and inspirational for today's times in the United States and many other countries now, and as time moves forward.

Anima Christi

There is a beautiful prayer written by St. Ignatius Loyola that I found as a grown person. It's called Anima Christi, my translation being the living Christ or Christ Alive. I found that I had some music in me to add to this beautiful prayer, and had occasion to record a very rough version of it. Some days when things aren't going particularly well, and one needs a breather from the roughness of the outside world, it's my hope that these sacred words set to music might find their way to comforting the soul. I'm not able to upload the music here, but it can be listened to at the regular Santa Classica website, at
www.SantaClassica.com. Click on the Santa Classica tab and see the little line that says: New Music: Anima Christi. Listen to it once a day during Lent (and beyond!).

Music Soothes the Soul

No matter what your favorite, music has the power to lift and turn your sorrows around. I remember loving to put music on in the room as a young child when things were tense between sisters, and it always seemed to lighten the mood. One sister would sing along with it, the other would dance.

Then, later, music offered me solace from a broken heart or two, even challenged me to grow in my musical ability. Still later, I found it offering me a spiritual channel and an opportunity to grow both spiritually and musically, the blending of which is one of the greatest gifts I've received to date.

Maybe your love of music is a hobby or a passing phase, or maybe you don't even love music, but it's hard to deny that it has a power. When hard times come, music can elevate you, no matter who you are or where you live.

Awesome Christmas 2011

Welcome to the Santa Classica blog. To my surprise, we found ourselves selling additional copies of this CD two years after its release. It was a blessing that came unexpected but greatly appreciated. Thank you so very much for that. If you haven't had a chance to hear any of Santa Classica's music, I offer listening opportunities to some of our 2009 published productions. Please see the website at EastonOne.com and click on the Santa Classica tab. There is a short list of samples there to listen to.

Christmas music seems to light a fire under a lot of us musicians, with all kinds of inspiration and sparkle layered into the mixes. Grateful to those who have thus far contributed to the upcoming CD (possibly named A Christmas Choir 2012, but we haven't decided for sure), including Rich Krents, Greg Smith, and Bob Sprague, I am hopeful with regard to gathering an enthusiastic and easy going group of fine singers for some of the choir parts, which will include the lovely "For Unto Us a Child is Born," the classic "Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming," and other wonderful pieces.

I would love to hear your suggestions for songs best included or any favorite composers or songwriters that you feel should be given some consideration.

Warm gratitude,
Cece Whittaker
Santa Classica