Lumina launches sacred music CD

18 Oct 2018

By The Record

The Lumina choir sing at its self-titled album launch concert on Sunday 14 October at the Trinity College Chapel. Photo: Supplied.

By Amanda Murthy

“Those who sing, pray twice,” St Augustine of Hippo once said.

Western Australian based sacred choral ensemble Lumina reflected these sentiments on Sunday 14 October, at the concert release of its self-titled album, held at the Trinity College Chapel.

The guest list of 215 people included Frs Sean Fernandez, Timothy Deeter, Michael Rowe, Stephen Gorddard, Mark Baumgarten and Mariusz Grzech, along with former Music Directors of St Mary’s Cathedral and Annette Goerke.

The eight-piece choir, conducted by Cameron van Reyk, belted out sacred music including Missa Bell’ Amfitrit’ Altera by Orlande de Lassus and The Lamentations of the Prophet Jeremiah by Thomas Tallis.

The Lumina choir sing at its self-titled album launch concert on Sunday 14 October at the Trinity College Chapel. Photo: Supplied.

Lumina was joined by the St Bernadette’s children’s choir (7 to 12 years old), conducted by Musical Director Sofie Kros.

“We featured the children’s choir because we want to help give them similar opportunities to myself, so they too feel inspired to keep sacred music alive,” Mr van Reyk said.

Mr van Reyk said the concert served as a tribute to St Mary’s Cathedral, a place he explained made him first fall in love with sacred music.

“As a 9-year-old Trinity boy, I was able to successfully audition for the St Mary’s Cathedral Choir under the direction of Mrs Annette Goerke, and I learned to sing as a treble in the choir,” he said.

“Later in the choir, I was directed by Fr Timothy Deeter who gave me the opportunity to sing for Pope John Paul II in a Canonisation Mass in Rome, which I am eternally grateful for.”

Since leaving the Cathedral Choir, Mr van Reyk said he continued his passion for sacred music through various groups, including Lumina.

“The majority of our members direct Catholic choirs in Perth, as we are keen to give back to the community.

“We feel that music is for everyone and what better way to do that then by singing beautiful music at Mass.”

Mr van Reyk stressed on the importance of documenting sacred music locally.

“I am proud of my heritage growing up in the Cathedral Choir, and this is another way to promote that. Catholic sacred choral music in Western Australia is alive and needs to be supported,” he explained.

“St Mary’s Cathedral was my spiritual home growing up, and the music that I sang had a huge impact on me.”

Mr van Reyk added that he hopes Lumina will continue to inspire other Catholics to use their talents to glorify God.