Campion Schola featured in multifaith concert

Posted: April 21, 2015 6:00 a.m.

Campion Schola performing at event hosted by the Saskatchewan Choral Federation in 2014. Photo courtesy of Saskatchewan Choral Federation.

Promoting interfaith understanding is the theme of a special concert in Regina April 23 featuring music from Jewish, Muslim and Christian traditions.

The event, “At all times and in all places - Ancient Music of Ancient Faiths,” features Campion Schola in concert with special guest Cantors from the Jewish, Muslim and Orthodox faith traditions.

Campion Schola, a vocal ensemble dedicated to Plainchant and Renaissance Polyphony, is made up of students from Campion College at the University of Regina as well as members of the academic community. Various denominations are represented within the group.  The first chant of the evening from Schola will be the Latin Hymn, Ubi caritas – where love and charity abound, God is there.
 
“My sincere hope for those attending this event is that they will be touched by something spiritual - whatever that might mean to them,” says Valerie Hall, Founder and Director of Campion Schola.

Dr. Sami Helewa, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies and Director of Catholic Studies at Campion College, will give the words of welcome.

“I feel that this event is not just an ordinary concert but essentially an experiment to explore sacred music as a servant of unity among Abrahamic religions,” says Dr. Helewa who is also a Jesuit Priest. “When unity is reached, peace is not far-fetched.”

Yasir Aljohani is studying business at the University of Regina and will perform the Athan, which is the Islamic call to prayer made five times a day.

“As Muslims living in Canada and as students at the U of R, we really want to build a strong community,” says Aljohani. “Prayer in Islam is a highly valued act of worship and so it means a lot to me to be able to make the call to prayer in this event.”

The audience will also be treated to a selection of traditional chants from members of the congregational choir at the Beth Jacob Synagogue.

“I believe that music and especially sacred music is the vehicle that brings us closer to the Divine and each other,” says Rabbi Jeremy Parnes of the Beth Jacob Synagogue in Regina. “The politics of religion can be contentious and divisive. The spiritual aspect of our faiths is unifying and dissolves the barriers that separate us.”


Event:       Ancient Music of Ancient Faiths
Location:  First Presbyterian Church – 2170 Albert Street, Regina
Date:        Thursday, April 23.
Time:        7:30 p.m.

Campion College is a federated college of the University of Regina and Canada’s only Jesuit undergraduate college.

The University of Regina’s motto is ‘As One Who Serves’ and speaks to our connection and commitment to serving all of the communities we touch as outlined in our strategic plan.