Ron Warren talks about playing for the Pope
Ron Warren Native American Flute faculty for Timber Flute Festival in Elkins talks about playing flute for the Pope
With less than four weeks to go before the Timber Flute Festival in Elkins we are in the final preparations for a great event this year. While there is still space available for this years festival, word has gotten out and the festival continues to grow. We sincerely hope you will choose to join us for the fun and amazing music planned for this year.
Ron Warren’s concert performance during the Timber Flute Festival will be on Thursday evening June 26 and tickets are available through the Randolph County Community Arts Center. Thursday evening’s concert will feature the Native American flute trio with flutist Ron Warren, guitarist Lenny Stevens and vocalist/percussionist Janice Torres. Irish flutist Grey Larsen with guitarist Cindy Kallet will also perform that evening. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for elders/seniors.
Ron Warren had the tremendous opportunity to play Native American Flute for the Pope during the stadium mass in Washington, DC on April 17, 2008. He was kind enough to share some of his insights about the event.
“My colleague, Tracy McDonnell, had invited me to perform with her amazing “Inter-cultural Choir” which encompassed singers from all over the metropolitan area. In truth, I love musical opportunities like this. It challenges me to explore all the capabilities of my flutes and forces me to make music outside my usual habits. Along with everything else, Tracy asked me if I could play a solo introduction for the Gregorian chant, “Veni Creator Spiritus”. Many of the ancient chants sound quite beautiful on our flutes.”
“The highpoint of the Mass is Communion. Just before the people receive communion, the Celebrant of the Mass (Pope Benedict in this case) speaks special words over the bread and the wine that will be shared. For many Catholics, this is the most sacred moment in the Mass.”
“And it was at this point in the proceedings that Great Mystery, or perhaps that trickster Rabbit, made an appearance. The Musical Director needed more music to fill the time while the Pope spoke his special blessing. Tracy asked me to start the “Veni Creator Spiritus” right away. I played the introduction, the Inter-Cultural choir did their lovely setting of the chant with African drums and then - the Pope wasn’t finished. They still needed more music. The Music Director signaled me to continue as a solo. I began to riff on phrases of the ancient chant, carefully watching the conductor while he watched the Pope.”
“For a magical moment in time, the beautiful solo voice of our Native American Flute echoed through the hushed man-made canyon of the baseball stadium, floating out an ancient European hymn to accompany the Pope’s blessing, while tens of thousands from all over the world quietly joined their hearts together. How fitting that at this most sacred moment, the only sound in the stadium was the voice of a Great Spirit that had been here in this land long before the Pope’s Church and is still here. What an amazing gift I had received, to have the opportunity to honor my People in this way.”
Note: For the Papal Mass, Ron played on flutes made by Colyn Petersen and Jim Gilliland.
Learn more about Ron Warren and his music at http://www.ronwarrenmusic.com
The West Virginia Native American Flute Circle is participating in this summer's 2nd Annual Timber Flute Festival which will be June 22-27 in Elkins, WV. This event has grown a great deal in just a sort time and will this year feature five different flute traditions including Native American Flute taught by award winning musician Ron Warren. Dances and concerts every evening allow for sharing and gathering new music. Late June in the Appalachian Highlands is cool and green with bountiful opportunities for outdoor recreation. This will be a memorable week that you do not want to miss. Practice and study in your instrument of choice and learn a new flute this summer too!
Our flute circle will meet this month at RCCAC as usual Saturday, June 14 2008 from 1-3pm - Hope to see you there too.
With less than four weeks to go before the Timber Flute Festival in Elkins we are in the final preparations for a great event this year. While there is still space available for this years festival, word has gotten out and the festival continues to grow. We sincerely hope you will choose to join us for the fun and amazing music planned for this year.
Ron Warren’s concert performance during the Timber Flute Festival will be on Thursday evening June 26 and tickets are available through the Randolph County Community Arts Center. Thursday evening’s concert will feature the Native American flute trio with flutist Ron Warren, guitarist Lenny Stevens and vocalist/percussionist Janice Torres. Irish flutist Grey Larsen with guitarist Cindy Kallet will also perform that evening. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for elders/seniors.
Ron Warren had the tremendous opportunity to play Native American Flute for the Pope during the stadium mass in Washington, DC on April 17, 2008. He was kind enough to share some of his insights about the event.
“My colleague, Tracy McDonnell, had invited me to perform with her amazing “Inter-cultural Choir” which encompassed singers from all over the metropolitan area. In truth, I love musical opportunities like this. It challenges me to explore all the capabilities of my flutes and forces me to make music outside my usual habits. Along with everything else, Tracy asked me if I could play a solo introduction for the Gregorian chant, “Veni Creator Spiritus”. Many of the ancient chants sound quite beautiful on our flutes.”
“The highpoint of the Mass is Communion. Just before the people receive communion, the Celebrant of the Mass (Pope Benedict in this case) speaks special words over the bread and the wine that will be shared. For many Catholics, this is the most sacred moment in the Mass.”
“And it was at this point in the proceedings that Great Mystery, or perhaps that trickster Rabbit, made an appearance. The Musical Director needed more music to fill the time while the Pope spoke his special blessing. Tracy asked me to start the “Veni Creator Spiritus” right away. I played the introduction, the Inter-Cultural choir did their lovely setting of the chant with African drums and then - the Pope wasn’t finished. They still needed more music. The Music Director signaled me to continue as a solo. I began to riff on phrases of the ancient chant, carefully watching the conductor while he watched the Pope.”
“For a magical moment in time, the beautiful solo voice of our Native American Flute echoed through the hushed man-made canyon of the baseball stadium, floating out an ancient European hymn to accompany the Pope’s blessing, while tens of thousands from all over the world quietly joined their hearts together. How fitting that at this most sacred moment, the only sound in the stadium was the voice of a Great Spirit that had been here in this land long before the Pope’s Church and is still here. What an amazing gift I had received, to have the opportunity to honor my People in this way.”
Note: For the Papal Mass, Ron played on flutes made by Colyn Petersen and Jim Gilliland.
Learn more about Ron Warren and his music at http://www.ronwarrenmusic.com
The West Virginia Native American Flute Circle is participating in this summer's 2nd Annual Timber Flute Festival which will be June 22-27 in Elkins, WV. This event has grown a great deal in just a sort time and will this year feature five different flute traditions including Native American Flute taught by award winning musician Ron Warren. Dances and concerts every evening allow for sharing and gathering new music. Late June in the Appalachian Highlands is cool and green with bountiful opportunities for outdoor recreation. This will be a memorable week that you do not want to miss. Practice and study in your instrument of choice and learn a new flute this summer too!
Our flute circle will meet this month at RCCAC as usual Saturday, June 14 2008 from 1-3pm - Hope to see you there too.
Labels: flute circle, native flute, Ron Warren, timber flute festival
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