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Stefan Andre Waligur, contemplative, musician/composer, and retreat leader, has served as Liturgical Musician for the ecumenical Church of the Saviour in Washington, DC, as chaplain at American University, and as adjunct faculty at Memphis Theological Seminary. His music has been performed by such ensembles as the Chamber Brass of Boston, the Artaria String Quartet, and the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble.
After a life-changing visit to the Taize community in France he began to write music in a similar style to be sung at prayer in Catholic and Protestant communities.
Although similar to Taize chants, these new chants incorporate American rhythms and
harmonies, Celtic melodies and the call and response style of Indian raga.
Now a growing number of churches in the US and Europe are regularly using these chants as a part of their liturgical life.
In addition, Stefan has been engaged as a teacher of English chant by the Buddhist community Plum Village, which was founded by Thich Nhat Hahn, and is located in the south of France. For the past ten years, Stefan has traveled extensively while sharing his music in Europe, the United States, and Israel/Palestine.
A New Community Like Taize in the U.S.? An invitation...
"..For the past ten years I have been going to Taize and often accompanying young people there. It has been SO good! But a thought and a prayer has been forming ever since the first visit in 1999. Could something like Taize be born here in the U.S.? A community devoted to simplicity, sharing and celibacy , offering a deep welcome especially to young people. Since then I have traveled the country and Europe and the thought/prayer has only intensified. Do you think that a community of reconciliation, like a Taize community, would be a good thing for the United States? Would you like to see this happening? Why? or Why not? An invitation: if your answer to the above question is yes, then I invite you to consider coming to Rolling Ridge Retreat Center this August for perhaps the beginning of this realization. During August 2009 we will hold a Pilgrimage of Peace. Every day, as in Taize we will sing/pray, share meals, work/ play and share in conversation/teaching about the essentials of peace.For more info contact me at stefan@songsofpeace.net or Bob Sabath at www.rollingridge.net My website: www.songsofpeace.net"
Listen:
www.cdbaby.com/cd/sawaligur Blessed are the Peacemakers
www.cdbaby.com/cd/sawaligur2 CELTIC: Mass, Songs and Chants
Join us at these upcoming events
www.speakingofpeace.blogspot.com
'The renewal of the church will come from a new type of monasticism which only has in common with the old an uncompromising allegiance to the Sermon on the Mount. It is high time men and women banded together to do this'
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in a letter to his brother
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