How It All Started ...

When my mother died suddenly of a massive heart attack in January 2000, I promised I would write a Mass in her memory. It would be a Mass to comfort the living who survive the death of someone they love so very much.

Ten years passed before I was able to embark on this musical journey. However, it was my very dear friend and fellow composer, Greg Mertl who asked me in November 2009, "When are you going to write it? It's been ten years ... almost."

That was the day I picked up my mechanical pencil and sat down to compose it. I was also sparked when I also found a competition through the Foundation for the Sacred Arts, which gave me a deadline. Things began to happen and on January 15, 2010, I sent out this press release:

PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH becomes RECORDING STUDIO for NEW MUSIC

Peace Lutheran Church announced today a Music Recording Project to record a new congregational setting of the Liturgy (worship service music) on March 13th, 2010 from 10AM until 3:30PM at Peace Lutheran Church, 125 Caroline Street, Rochester, NY. The new musical setting, which was composed by Amanda Jacobs (Organist at Peace and Composer of “Jane Austen’s PRIDE & PREJUDICE, A Musical”), has been written for unison voices and keyboard using the New English Translations from the Foundation for the Sacred Arts. Everyone who likes to sing is invited to participate.

Following the recording session, a CD will be made, and a copy will be given to all participants in the recording project. A copy of the CD will also be submitted to the Foundation for the Sacred Arts as an entry in its composition competition for new liturgy. Following the announcement of winners from the Foundation for the Sacred Arts, the sheet music will be made available for congregational use to all churches who participated in the project.

The setting of the Liturgy is called “A Mass for the Living” and celebrates the unity of all liturgical churches through singing. The music has been composed to remember the life of Amanda’s mother, who died ten years ago. Everyone who loves to sing is invited and encouraged to take part. The music is not difficult to learn and easy to sing. It has been composed specifically for congregational use.

The recording project will be an all-day event. The entire recording process will take place on March 13th, 2010 at Peace Lutheran Church. The schedule will be as follows:



10:00 – 12:00 REHEARSAL – in church Sanctuary conducted by Lindsay Warren Baker

12:00 – 1:30 POT LUCK LUNCH – in social hall
(Recording equipment will be set up in the Sanctuary during this time.)

1:30 – 2:00 REVIEW of music – conducted by Lindsay Warren Baker

2:00 – 3:30 RECORDING - in Sanctuary with Sound Engineer



To be part of this special event, or for more information, please contact Amanda Jacobs at massfortheliving@gmail.com, or you may call Peace Lutheran Church, 585.244.9206.

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