Music of Casa del Sol


                  

-David E. Poole-

MUSIC OF CASA DEL SOL

A retreat center located in the heart of Ghost Ranch, in the high desert of northern New Mexico, Casa del Sol was dedicated in May 2006, with the vision of becoming “a community of the Living Presence Seeking the Oneness of the Human Soul and the Healing of Creation.”  One of the visionaries of this young, "dispersed" community is the well-known author and teacher on Celtic spirituality, John Philip Newell.  John Philip has produced a variety of new texts, some wholly original, some based on scripture, that re-envision the connection between the creator, human beings, and the “natural” world.  It has been a privilege to be asked to set some of these texts to music.


Awake, Awake for three-part assembly.  This chant is intended as a gathering piece to precede Morning Prayer.  The lines are intuitive, allowing most groups to manage a cappella.  Guitar chords are supplied if more support is desired. 
$30 flat fee to license           View the score       Hear a recording   

Casa del Sol Blessing of Aaron for 2-part assembly.  This gentle setting of a new text based on Numbers 6: 24-26 is appropriate for either choir or congregation at the conclusion of a worship service.
$30 flat fee to license           View the score         Hear a recording   

Casa del Sol Blessing of Heaven for unison or two-part assembly.  A generous blessing invoking God through the elements of creation and set to an original, celtic-style melody.  Unison or as a round.

$30 flat fee to license      View the score          Hear a recording 

Casa del Sol Blessings of Jesus for cantor and assembly.  The cantor sets the pitch and the pace and the people join in this new rendering of Matthew 5: 3-10, also know as the Beatitudes.

$30 flat fee to license            View the score        Hear a recording

Casa del Sol Communion Responses for Cantor and two-part assembly with keyboard and/or guitar and shaman drum.  Three elements from the “ordinary” of the mass are re-visioned through the lens of Celtic Christianity.  Musically, the same material is reshaped in each, allowing for quick learning and confident singing by the congregants.

$30 flat fee to license individually or $50 for all three

            Holy, Holy, Holy          View the score 

            Christ, Have Mercy     View the score 

            Lamb of God             View the score 

 

Casa del Sol Prayer of Jesus for cantor and assembly.  A fresh, evocative version of the Lord's Prayer set in a simple call-and-echo manner.  

$30 flat fee to license          View the score     Hear a recording 

 

Casa del Sol Song of Mary for two-part assembly (women-men).  The passage often known as the Magnificat, the source is Luke 1: 46-55.

$30 flat fee to license          View the score     Hear a recording   

 

Casa del Sol Song of Simeon for assembly (optional two-part).  A chant-like setting based on Luke 2: 29-32

$30 flat fee to license          View the score         Hear a recording


Hallelujah del Sur for two- or three-part assembly.  A driving, celebratory response in the style of a Latin America samba. 

$30 flat fee to license            View the score        Hear a recording   


Watch, O Watch for three-part assembly.  Intended as a gathering chant to precede Night  Prayer, this piece can be sung in one, two or three parts, a capella if desired or with guitar.

$30 flat fee to license           View the score     Hear a recording