Little Sparks: Recent Episodes
The Hildegard Collective
Join Tara and Cecilia, co-founders of the Hildegard Collective and hosts of the Little Sparks Podcast, as they chat about all things faith and music! We’ve custom-tailored a podcast just for Catholic musicians, for the purposes of building community and cultivating important conversations. With plenty of special guest interviews, inspiring stories, and musical drama, you can expect lots of deep conversations and a healthy dose of hilarity, as these former college roommates take you through the peaks and valleys of life as a Catholic musician.
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For our season finale episode, we're talking our top 5 favorite and top 5 least favorite Christmas songs! See how we rank popular hymns and festive favorites in this lighthearted and hilarious season 6 finale!
Cecilia's Draft Picks -
Least Favorite:
1. I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas - • Gayla Peevey - I Want a Hippopotamus for C...
2. Rocking Around the Christmas Tree - • Brenda Lee - Rockin' Around The Christmas ...
3. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause - • I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - Jackson 5
4. Jingle Bell Rock - • Bobby Helms - Jingle Bell Rock (Official V...
5. All I Want for Christmas is You - • Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is...
Most Favorite:
1. Jesus Christ the Apple Tree - • Jesus Christ The Apple Tree
2. I Wonder As I Wander - • I Wonder As I Wander (Album Version)
3. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - • God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
4. White Christmas - • White Christmas (Official Video)
5. Sleigh Ride - • "Sleigh Ride" by Leroy Anderson . Played h...
Tara's Draft Picks -
Least Favorite:
1. Fairytale of New York - • The Pogues - Fairytale Of New York (Lyrics...
2. Santa Baby - • Eartha Kitt - Santa Baby (Official Music V...
3. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays - • Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays - N Sync (...
4. Little Drummer Boy - • The Little Drummer Boy (1965 Version)
5. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - • God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
Most Favorite:
1. In the Bleak Midwinter - • In the bleak mid-winter (Holst, arr. Wilbe...
2. Rivers of Light - • Rivers of Light
3. The Snow - • The Snow _ Edward William Elgar
4. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - • It Came Upon A Midnight Clear (Album Version)
5. White Christmas - • White Christmas (Official Video)
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Today we're welcoming back our friend Julia Janowski! Julia was a guest on Season 1, and her life has taken many twists and turns over the past few years. We're chatting about what she's learned about trusting in God, and how The Artist's Way is helping her find clarity in her journey.
Learn more about Julia at her website.
Here's the links referenced in today's episode -
The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron -
https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-Di...
What we're listening to -
Tara: O Come O Come Emmanuel by Matthew Culloton
• O Come, O Come, Emmanuel by Matthew Cullot...
Cecilia: Totus Tuus by Henryk Górecki
• Górecki: Totus Tuus, Op. 60 (Album Version)
Julia: The Nutcracker Suite by Duke Ellington
• Duke Ellingon - Overture
Jingle All the Way by Bela Fleck and the Flecktones
• Béla Fleck and the Flecktones - Jingle Bells
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Have you ever heard of The Huron Carol? This traditional Christmas hymn was written by a saint, and its unassuming lyrics have a lot to teach us about evangelization.
Here's the links referenced in today's episode -
The Huron Carol -
• The Huron Carol (Arr. R. Anderson)
What we're listening to -
Tara: Ain't That-a Rockin' by Stacey V. Gibbs
• USC Thornton Chamber Singers: "Ain't That ...
Cecilia: O Come, O Come Emmanuel by The Piano Guys
• O Come, O Come, Emmanuel | Cinematic Chris...
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With American Thanksgiving just around the corner, today we're taking a moment to reflect on gratitude. One of the most important tools for growing in contentment, peace and joy, we're chatting about why gratitude is so crucial to incorporate into our lives, and some practical tips for living it out - even when life feels crazy and stressful!
What we're listening to -
Tara: Lux Aurumque by Eric Whitacre
• Whitacre: Lux Aurumque
Cecilia: I've Got Plenty to be Thankful For by Bing Crosby
• I've Got Plenty To Be Thankful For
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Loneliness is endemic in our times, and can especially affect musicians around the holidays. Today we're chatting about how to combat the holiday loneliness, whether you're working, or spending time with family this Christmas season.
What we're listening to -
Tara: Lux Aeterna, by Håkan Glänte
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AahIeUza8as
Cecilia: The Nutcracker Suite, by Tchaikovsky
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4wBG8BWbYg
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It's the most wonderful time of the year - unless you're a working musician, drowning in your hectic schedule. Today we're chatting about how to get on top of this crazy time of year, with mental, physical, and spiritual preparation.
What we're listening to -
Tara: Jerusalem, by Michael McGlynn
• Jerusalem
Cecilia: Disney's Sleeping Beauty Soundtrack
• Sleeping Beauty Disney Soundtrack
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Today we're chatting about the newest Doctor of the Church - St. John Henry Newman. Known for his prolific writings, did you know he was also a musician? We're sharing some fascinating snippets of John Henry Newman's musical life, taken from his personal letters and sermons.
Here's the links referenced in today's episode -
JHN's sermon on music & the Mind of God - https://hearthandfield.com/seven-notes-and-the-mind-of-god-john-henry-newman-1843/
What we're listening to -
Tara: See, Darkness Covers the Earth, by Stefan Klaverdal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1Kf3ew9eJM
Cecilia: George Gershwin
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This is part 2 of our mini-series on the All Hallows Triduum - the feasts of All Saints & All Souls! Today we're chatting all about the importance of these commemorations, some ideas of ways to celebrate them, and a bit about their music.
Here's the music referenced in today's episode -
All Saints & All Souls Playlist - coming soon!
What we're listening to -
Tara: Chili Con Carne, by The Real Group
Cecilia: Finch in the Pantry, by The Arcadian Wild
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Today, we're chatting all things Halloween! Though it's become somewhat controversial in Catholic circles in recent years, we're sharing the reasons why we believe it's so important to continue commemorating this important day in the Hallowtide Triduum. We're also chatting a bit about scary music - it's history, uses, and interesting stories about it's influence!
Here's the music referenced in today's episode -
Dies Irae Chant - • Dies Irae - Gregorian Chant (with lyrics a...
A Brief History of the Dies Irae - • A Musical History Of Death: 'Exit Music' b...
Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor - • Toccata and Fugue in D Minor (Best Version...
Schubert's Erlkönig (if you don't speak German, turn on closed captioning!) - • Franz Schubert: Erlkönig
What we're listening to -
Tara: Happy Days Theme - • Happy Days (Theme from ''Happy Days'')
Cecilia: An Autumn Gone By - https://spotify.link/s8uieFLoCXb
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After an unexpectedly long hiatus- WE'RE BACK! We're thrilled to be returning to the podcast for Season 6. In this episode, we're catching up on what's happened since we last recorded, the reason for the untimely end of Season 5, and chatting about what to expect in this coming season!
What we're listening to;
Cecilia - Where Is My Husband!, by RAYE
Tara - O Magnum Mysterium, by Guy Forbes
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Discernment - it can feel like a Catholic buzzword sometimes, with it's increasingly casual use in day-to-day life. But what does discernment really mean and why does it matter?
For musicians, especially those forms that require the explicit telling of stories, discernment is a critical part of incorporating their faith into their profession. Art can be very subjective, so how do musicians go about this critical discernment process?
Tara shares her thoughts on all this and more on today's episode! Give a listen to this truly fascinating and insightful conversation on discerning roles, and let us know your thoughts!
What we're listening to:
Tara- Gaudete Shreds
Cecilia- A Little Christmas Music, The King's Singers
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We have a very special guest on this week's episode - Cecilia's mom, Olivia Leskowicz! Sharing her personal story of growing up in a musical family, and balancing a budding career and a young family, this episode is dripping with wisdom and insights.
Can you really "have it all"? How do you go about discerning God's Will for your career and family? We're tackling these questions and more on this week's Little Sparks Podcast!
What we're listening to:
Cecilia- Halo App, Emmanuel Playlist
Olivia- O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Tara- The Color of Your Eyes
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Theology of the Body was one of the most widely known works of Pope Saint John Paul II, and its message has broken barriers in teaching us about our own humanity and the Divine Character of God as understood through His beautiful creation of human bodies and human sexuality.
When we think of Theology of the Body, we usually think of marriage and human sexuality - and for good reason. But how does this document inform our work as musicians? What does it mean for achieving bodily freedom in our performing? What about our teaching?
On today's episode, we're giving a brief overview of the history and significance of Theology of the Body, before diving into just a few of its implications for our music making. Come join us!
What we're listening to:
Cecilia: Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18 - II. Adagio sostenuto
Tara: The Muppet's Theme Song
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Following last week's episode, Cecilia addresses an important and easily overlooked form of mistreatment: emotional abuse. Broaching this difficult topic, Cecilia shares candidly from her own personal experience and healing journey.
If you or someone you know is suffering from emotional abuse, please check out the resources at the link below-
https://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/emotional-abuse-resources-n1260929
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Power imbalance is an unfortunately common problem in the music industry. It can be personally and professionally devastating to be on the receiving end of unfair treatment or inappropriate behavior of any kind.
In today's candid episode, Tara shares her own experience with harassment and inappropriate behavior from a colleague, and how this experience changed her understanding of the industry, herself as an artist, and what it means to forgive.
TW: sexual harassment and assault are discussed in this episode.
Click here to watch Sister Miriam James and Fr. John Burns- "Seeking Healing Through Forgiveness".
If you are experiencing any kind of inappropriate behavior from a colleague, friend, family member, or anybody else in your life, please keep yourself safe, and speak to someone who you trust. Below are some resources that may help you-
CatholicTherapists.com
Rainn.org
JoyfulHeartFoundation.org
What we're listening to:
Cecilia: She Moved Through the Fair
Tara: Flight
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You may have heard of St. Alphonsus Liguori, but how much do you really know about his life?
St. Alphonsus was a moral theologian, extraordinary musician, intelligent lawyer and much more. He suffered with chronic pain, experienced a total life 180° turn, and founded a respected global religious order. So what can we, as Catholic musicians, learn from the Faith and life of this exceptional saint?
Join us for this fascinating conversation about St. Alphonsus Liguori!
What we're listening to:
Tara: In the Bleak Midwinter
Cecilia: Jesus Christ the Apple Tree
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If you've ever experienced a performance-impacting injury or illness, you'll know well the feeling of desperation to find healing. For many musicians, this becomes a gateway to new-age practices, which can be encouraged by teachers, coaches or even doctors as a means of seeking physical or mental healing.
But how do we deal with this as Catholics? What's the problem with these practices, and are there feasible alternatives we can seek?
We're diving into this controversial topic on today's episode of the Little Sparks Podcast - and, spoiler alert, we're barely scratching the surface! What are your thoughts on this topic? We'd love to hear from you!
What we're listening to:
Tara: Cormacus Scripsit
Cecilia: Autumn playlist
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After a deep-dive into the Cardinal virtues last week, we're back discussing the Theological virtues! Everyone knows these terms - Faith, Hope and Charity, but what do they mean, why are they important, and how do they apply to our lives as Catholic musicians?
These virtues are gifts from God, and there's PLENTY of wisdom and insight to share about Faith, Hope and Charity!
What we're listening to:
Tara: Ave Generosa
Cecilia: Cody Fry's The Sound of Silence
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When you think of the word virtue, what comes to mind? If your answer is somewhere along the lines of "dry," "old-fashioned," or "prudish," you need to listen to this episode! The virtues are actually good habits – which we all need to cultivate in order to have a well-ordered life!
Today, we're talking about the Cardinal Virtues: four virtues the ancient world recognized and the Catholic Church see as necessary for the moral life. Prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance aren't just the names of Puritan-era girls. They're the backbone for a good life.
We had a thoroughly great conversation on what these four virtues are and how they can show up in the life of a musician. We hope you enjoy!
What we're listening to:
Tara: The Sound of Music
Cecilia: Rhapsody in Blue
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Join us for our first episode of season 5! Today we're chatting about moral theology, what it's all about, and why it's relevant for us today.
A book we love on this topic: Made by God, Made for God: Catholic Morality Explained, by Matthew K. Minerd.
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We are excited to announce that our Season 5 preview episode is here! Listen in to hear the theme of the upcoming season, what we’re most excited for, some super exciting updates on the podcast and more! Trust us, you definitely don't want to miss this!
Here we are at the end of Season 4! We're taking some time to reflect on our favorite moments from Season 4, as well as the big life changes we've each been experiencing between the beginning and end of this season. This has been such an incredible fourth season, and we're so grateful to have had such wonderful guests and fantastic conversations. We will be back later this year with Season 5 – stay tuned for more on that soon!
What we're listening to:
Cecilia: Firebird and Petrouchka suites by Igor Stravinsky, Daphnis et Chloe Suite no. 2 by Maurice Ravel
Tara: Lost at Sea from the Finding Dory soundtrack by Thomas Newman
Join Tara as she discusses pride versus stewardship, and the distinction that lies between them!
What we're listening to:
Tara: This fun playlist
After an unexpected, short hiatus, we're back! Today, we're sharing our own career stories and how the Lord helped us to both surrender to His Will, and rejoice in it.
What we're listening to:
Cecilia: Fountains of Rome and Pines of Rome – Ottorino Resphigi
Tara: Better With Time – Emily Scott Robinson
How do we define success, and what does success look like when we focus on what God wants, instead of the world? Tara's discussing these questions in today's bonus mini-episode through the perspective of her own struggles and dreams.
Throughout music history, we can find numerous Catholic composers who were devoted to their faith. Today, we're chatting about the lives and examples of just three of these composers. We're covering Franz Liszt's inspiring reversion story as he journeyed from living a playboy life to taking minor orders, Antonin Dvorak's devotion to God through his music and his family life, and Anton Bruckner's unwavering dedication to doing God's will in spite of the opinions of others.
What we're listening to:
Tara: To Morning, by Gabriel Jackson
Cecilia: Wachet Auf, by J.S. Bach
Andddd we've got a special bonus episode today on the Little Sparks podcast! Cecilia's talking about the purpose of Lent (hint: it's not to see who's the best Catholic), exploring definitions of intimacy and how they apply to learning a piece of music as well as to developing a relationship with another person, and suggesting a few practical ways to grow in intimacy with Christ.
This week, we're thrilled to be chatting with Patrick O'Connell, a music educator and conductor located in Massachusetts. We had a great conversation about his role as a music educator, balancing a career in music with the vocation of marriage and family life, and being a witness to the faith – even when it's difficult. Patrick's got a lot of great wisdom to share, and we had an awesome time recording this episode!
What we're listening to:
Cecilia: "Miracle of Miracles" from Fiddler on the Roof
Tara: Thy Strong Word
Patrick: The High Kings
Patrick's bio: Since completing his undergraduate and graduate music studies, at Ithaca College and Yale University respectively, Patrick O’Connell has enjoyed an active musical life in the Capital and Tri-State Region of Vermont, New York and Massachusetts. Patrick has an active performing schedule with the Berkshire Symphony, Glens Falls Symphony Orchestras, Berkshire Opera Festival. He has performed with the Albany Symphony, Vermont Symphony, Boston Chamber Orchestra, Capital Repertory Theatre, Proctor's Theater, and Williamstown Theatre Festival. In addition, Patrick is an enthusiastic music educator who believes music is an essential aspect of a well-rounded education and the living of a full life for all people, regardless of age. In fact, he has worked with students of all ages who desire to make music a priority in their life. Patrick has had the privilege of teaching elementary string orchestra for 10 years in New York State, directing the wind ensemble at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, coaching sectionals with the Empire State Youth Orchestra, and teaching music at the collegiate level (College of Saint Rose, Union College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the Ithaca College Summer Music Academy). He currently teaches middle and high school orchestra at Mount Greylock School in Williamstown, MA. He is also the director of the Southern Vermont Sinfonia, a youth/community ensemble which welcomes students of all ages, from elementary through retirement age.
Introducing Season 4's saint feature! In today's episode, we're chatting about Bl. Dina Belanger, a Canadian religious sister who attended a conservatory in New York to study piano prior to entering religious life. The order she entered was a teaching order of religious sisters, and her assignment was to teach music in one of their schools.
Bl. Dina’s story is an amazing example of how Jesus desires to use our talents at His service. Even when we think certain talents might not be of any use in the path we feel called to, Jesus might have some surprises up His sleeve!
What we're listening to:
Tara:
Cecilia:
Today we're chatting about a musical profession that we've never had a chance to talk about before here: music therapy!
Senior music therapy major Amelia Glikin sat down with us to chat about music therapy, and what unfolded along the way was her beautiful story of her return to the Catholic faith, and a moving conversation about how music therapy affirms the dignity of life in every circumstance. We loved having Amelia on the show, and we're so excited to introduce you to her!
Short bio: Amelia Glikin is originally from Towson, MD and is currently in her final semester of coursework studying Music Therapy at the University of Louisville in Louisville, KY. She loves anything and everything related to choir and is blessed especially to be a member of the University of Louisville Cardinal Singers. Amelia also is passionate about the tradition of sacred music and works as a section leader and cantor at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Louisville. Amelia loves to share the joy of music and its ability to build and strengthen communities of all kinds.
It can be easy to see how we can glorify God through music when we’ve finished a performance and hear from audience members about how deeply our music touched their hearts, or when we’re teaching a young child how to play something that’s challenging for them and they finally “get” it.
But what about the hard parts? What do we do when we’re in the throes of crippling performance anxiety? Or when we’re plunging into an audition for a panel of judges known for being difficult to please?
Today we’re chatting about the challenges and sufferings common to most musicians, and how the concept of redemptive suffering can help us to look at these things through a new perspective.
What we're listening to:
Tara: Anton Bruckner's Virga Jesse FloruitCecilia: Psalm 116 (I Love You Lord) by Mission House
On today's episode of the Little Sparks podcast, we're sitting down to chat with Sarah Barry, an opera singer and teacher from Louisville, KY. We’re discussing career discernment, vocal music, and trusting in God’s plan every step of the way. Sarah is a delightful person, and we’re so grateful to have been able to have this conversation with her!
What we're listening to:
Tara: Richard Proulx's setting of O God Beyond All Praising
Cecilia: the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtracks
Sarah: Rob Gardner's masterwork Lamb of God
Bio: Sarah Barry is a Nashville, TN native currently living in Louisville, KY. She grew up with music all around and decided to pursue music further by completing a degree in Voice Performance from Bellarmine University in 2023. She works as a teaching artist at Kentucky Opera and a worship coordinator at Bellarmine University among other cantoring and teaching positions. Her most recent performance experience includes a chorus role in Kentucky Opera's Fall 2022 production of La Boheme and a choir tour of Italy in Spring 2023. Sarah loves sharing the joy of music with others, especially through her work in the Church.
Three fun facts about Sarah:
- She’s performed a solo at St. Peter's Basilica.
- She hates country music (even though Nashville is the Country Music Capital).
- Her favorite place is New York City.
Welcome to Season 4! We're focusing on the many different careers in music and how we can glorify God through them. To kick things off, we're doing a deep dive into the relationship between beauty and truth, and how musicians, alongside all creatives, are uniquely suited to evangelize in today's culture.
What we're listening to:
Cecilia: "reading in a cozy library" playlist on Spotify
Tara: Philip Stopford's cinematic setting of Ave Maria
We are wildly excited to announce that our Season 4 preview episode is here! Tune in to hear the theme of our next season, what we’re each most excited for, and when Season 4 will be launching. You won’t want to miss this!
We can hardly believe we're already at our season 3 finale, but here we are! Today's episode is the very first that we recorded in the same room with each other, and we had an absolute blast discussing our favorite season 3 episodes, plus a little something just for fun. We're sharing our least favorite and most favorite contemporary hymn draft lists (and why each hymn made it on our list)! If you're someone who feels like there are absolutely no good contemporary hymns out there, you might find some hope in our lists of favorites. And if you're wondering, On Eagle's Wings did make it onto one of our lists – but you'll have to guess which one! Or, just listen to this episode to find out.
What we're listening to:
Tara: Giant Love Ball, by Rev. Carey Landry
Cecilia: The Tales That Really Matter, from the Two Towers soundtrack
It's time for this season's saint feature! Today we're talking about St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, who is probably the least-known of the Hildegard Collective's patron saints. We're discussing her life, her incredible piano skills (she was French conservatory trained!), and her call to the Carmelite order. We're also discussing what we as musicians can learn from her example to radical trust in God's plan. This is an episode you will NOT want to miss!
What we're listening to:
Cecilia: The Shire theme from the Lord of the Rings soundtrack by Howard Shore
Tara: The Monk and His Cat, by Samuel Barber
We'll be back on Saturday with a new full episode, but today we're bringing a short bonus episode to you!
In this season's bonus episode, Cecilia walks us through how God can't make anything that isn't good because He is all-good, the effects of original sin and how they can play into our self-esteem problems as musicians, and what our outlook on all this ought to be as musicians who love the Lord.
The Second Vatican Council can be a contentious topic among Catholics, to say the least. And one particular area in which arguments can ensue happens to be in regard to music.
Yet how many of us have actually taken the time to read what the Council wrote about music? If you have, props to you! If you haven't – dip your toes into the water by listening to our new podcast episode!
Today on the Little Sparks podcast, we're discussing a few points from the document Musicam Sacram (Instruction on Music in the Liturgy). Specifically, we're chatting about being attuned to the singing capabilities of the congregation, the role of the choir within the Mass, and the Divine Office.
Please note: this episode is meant to be a starting point for discussion. We could've probably recorded five episodes on this document alone. We highly recommend that you take the time to read the document in full if you are able to, especially if you are a liturgical musician in some capacity. It can be found on the Vatican website, and a quick google search will help you find it!
What we're listening to:
Cecilia: Through Heaven's Eyes, from Prince of Egypt
Tara: Where All The Roses Go, by Michael McGlynn
Did you know Pope St. John Paul II gave an address to sacred musicians? Neither did we – that is, until recently! Today we're sitting down to chat about this wonderful address, and what we can take away from it as liturgical musicians today. We discuss our role in the rich history of Catholic contributions to music, the transcendental quality of Gregorian chant, and the relationship between beauty, truth, and goodness.
Read the full address here. We highly recommend reading it – unlike some of Pope St. John Paul II's other writings, this is a fairly short read that's easy to understand!
What we're listening to:
Cecilia: A folksy fall playlist on Spotify by the Village Green
Tara: O God Beyond All Praising, arr. Richard Proulx
What's the oldest Eucharistic hymn? How important does the Church consider sacred music to be? Is it necessary for the theology in the verses of a hymn to be super clear, or is that not as important since it's music?
If you've ever asked any of these questions, this episode is for you! Even if you've never answered any of these questions – this episode is for you. We're diving into Eucharistic hymns starting with the 7th century, stopping for a while in medieval times with St. Thomas Aquinas's stunning contributions, and finishing it up with a discussion on contemporary Eucharistic hymns.
To be totally frank, we only just scratched the surface in this episode. There were many more hymns, particularly from within the last couple of centuries, that we wanted to discuss, but we ran out of time while recording. This won't be the last you hear of Eucharistic hymns on this podcast!
What we're listening to:
Tara:
Cecilia: The Chronicles of Narnia soundtracks
We're thrilled to have AnnaMaria Cardinalli, author of Music and Meaning in the Mass, join us on the podcast today. AnnaMaria shares with us about her fascinating musical background, how the inspiration to write this book came about, and why music choices matter so much in the Mass. We had a blast chatting with her, and we hope you learn a lot from this episode!
What we're listening to:
Cecilia: The Lighting of the Beacons, from The Lord of the Rings soundtrack by Howard Shore; and We Dance, by Steffany Gretzinger
Tara: How Dazzling Fair, by Charles Wood
AnnaMaria: The Rosary in Gregorian chant
We're absolutely thrilled to have Veronica Olson, a licensed physical therapist from Wisconsin, on the podcast today to chat about physical therapy. Veronica shares about how she became a physical therapist, the role of physical therapy in injury recovery, and how her faith plays into her work as a therapist. We learned so much from her, and we're so happy to share this episode with you all!
What we're listening to:
Cecilia: a cello cover of JVKE's Golden Hour
Tara: Prettiest Little Girl in the County, We Banjo 3
Veronica: Saint Ferdinand, Lauren Daigle
Today's episode is the second in a three part miniseries exploring musician injuries. Last week, we heard from Cecilia and her journey with carpal tunnel and tendonitis, and now this week we get to hear from Tara.
Tara's journey with health as related to her singing has been twofold: one with her mental health, and one with her physical health. She shares about her battle with anxiety, particularly early on in her singing journey; and she shares about her struggles with various physical injuries, including TMJ.
Disclaimer: We are not medical practitioners. Any medical information in this episode should not be used in place of actual medical advice from a doctor. If you suspect you are suffering from a music-related injury, please seek out a physician.
What we're listening to:
Cecilia: the Catechism in a Year Podcast with Fr. Mike Schmitz
Tara: What Was I Made For by Billie Eilish
Over the next three weeks, we're walking through a short miniseries on musicians' injuries. In today's episode, Cecilia shares her story of receiving carpal tunnel and tendonitis diagnoses in college, searching for help through various physical therapists and an Alexander Technique teacher, and what components helped her to find some level of healing. She also shares a few tips that could be helpful for injury prevention.
What we're listening to:
Tara: There is no Rose of Such Virtue, anonymous
Cecilia: "She Walks in Beauty" playlist on Spotify
Disclaimer: We are not medical practitioners. Any medical information in this episode should not be used in place of actual medical advice from a doctor. If you suspect you are suffering from a music-related injury, please seek out a physician.
We're kicking off our third season of the Little Sparks podcast with an episode on Ephesians 5 – and no, it's not the part of Ephesians 5 that you're probably thinking about. We're looking at verses 15-20, in which St. Paul essentially says, "Don't get drunk, sing songs instead!" Join us for a chat/ramble on how these verses fit into the larger context of Ephesians 5, the impact of music on the spiritual life, music as an expression of Christian joy, and more.
Ephesians 5: 15-20 (Revised Standard Version – Catholic Edition)
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, 20 always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.
Resources:
What the Catechism says on music
What we're listening to:
Cecilia: her "Cleaning Playlist" on Spotify
Tara: Hildegard chants
Today we're sharing our season 3 preview! Tune in to hear what this season is themed around, and some things we're looking forward to. Stick around until the end to find out the launch date!
For our season finale, we're so excited to have composer and singer/songwriter Tony Manfredonia on the podcast! We chatted about his journey into composition and singing/songwriting, the importance of his faith, and how a difficult time in his marriage inspired his upcoming album. This is an episode you do not want to miss!
What we're listening to:
Tara: Mary Speaks, by Daniel E. Gawthrop
Cecilia: Constellations, by the Oh Hellos
Tony: Underground, by Cody Fry
Check out Tony's Kickstarter for his upcoming album here.
You can find Tony on Instagram at @tony_manfredonia and visit his website at www.manfredoniamusic.com
Bio: Tony Manfredonia is a Michigan-based composer and singer-songwriter, best known for his symphonic, cinematic, and dynamic sound. Providing a deep, passionate experience, his music is filled with powerful orchestration, heartfelt lyrics, and sweeping melodic lines.
His work has been performed worldwide by renowned ensembles such as the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Traverse Symphony Orchestra, the Washington Metropolitan Gamer Symphony Orchestra (WMGSO), and more.
Ranging from video game soundtracks to instrumental suites, romantic pop-piano ballads to soaring symphonic rock albums, Tony’s genre-bending, orchestral expertise is infused into everything he creates.
Through his music, Tony is transparent about the ups and downs of his own life journey. He discusses suffering, loss, and grief with his concept album ROSE WATER, his EP, LOST AT SEA and his single, WITHIN MY BONE.
After receiving funding on Kickstarter in just 48 hours, his latest album, ANCHORED, delves into the true story of a miraculous redemption in his marriage after he and his wife experienced a near-fallout.
Tony’s sheer variety provides him the opportunity to compose and perform in a wide range of musical contexts. Symphonic, yet intimate, his mission is to connect listeners to their deepest emotions.
Today we're excited to bring to you this season's saint feature! We go through the story of St. Cecilia and how her body was found incorrupt, why St. Cecilia is the patron saint of musicians even though she likely never played an instrument, and what we can learn from the example of St. Cecilia, her husband Valerian, and his brother Tibertius.
What we're listening to:
Tara: Farewell, You Native Hills and Fields, from The Maid of Orleans by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Cecilia: Philippe Gaubert's Madrigal
This week, Tara and Cecilia are chatting about Aristotle's levels of friendship, taking unconventional career paths, and the beauty of surrendering plans to God.
What we're listening to this week:
Cecilia: Gregor Aichinger's Regina Coeli
Tara: the soundtrack to the documentary Blackfish
Is organ really the best choice of instrument for the Mass? Should guitars be totally banned from the liturgy? What do we do for Mass when we have very limited resources in the way of instruments? If these questions have ever crossed your mind, you'll want to listen to this episode!
Today we're discussing one of our favorite books: Music and Meaning in the Mass, by Annamaria Cardinalli. More specifically, we're discussing a specific chapter within the book on the role of instruments at Mass. The author brings up some very interesting points on timbre, the ability of an instrument to sustain, and why congregations might be more inclined to sing in some circumstances but not others. We're diving into these points and discussing them further, drawing on our own personal experiences with liturgical music.
Music and Meaning in the Mass, by Annamaria Cardinalli
What we're listening to:
Tara: Happiness, by We Banjo 3
Cecilia: It's a Wonderful Life, by John Lucas
This week on the Little Sparks podcast, we're excited to introduce you to flutist Cathy Herrera! In full story-telling mode, she shares her musical path, her faith journey from various Protestant churches to the Catholic church, and how having an open heart has allowed God to lead her in delightfully unexpected ways. Cathy is an absolute delight, and her wisdom and insights are sure to bless you.
Bio: Flutist Cathy Collinge Herrera enjoys an international performing and teaching career spanning four continents and several decades. Her Doctorate in Flute Performance and Certificate in World Music have led her down many unique as well as traditional orchestral and chamber music paths which she continues to pursue. While a Fulbright scholar to Peru, she was a founder of the Latin American Flute Festival scene. In recent years she has added new age improvisation, composing and interdisciplinary arts collaboration to her list of musical passions. Cathy has premiered her compositions in the U.S. and abroad as soloist at music festivals, touring with the Cornell University Men’s Glee Club, with the Herrera-Register flute and guitar duo, Camerata Amistad trio, and the TrioArts Project, a collaboration of music, dance and the spoken word. Founder of The Flutopia Initiative charitable organization, she organizes benefit concerts and musical events for those in need. A competitions winner and Golden Anniversary Award recipient for the National Flute Association, Cathy is a Rostered Artist for the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Principal Flutist with Nittany Valley Symphony, Principal Piccolo with Altoona and Penns Woods Symphony Orchestras, and is the Flute Lecturer at Juniata College. Her works are published by ALRY and her book, “It’s Performance Day!” by Theodore Presser.
What we're listening to:
Cecilia: E.T. End Credits
Tara: Senza Mamma, from Suor Angelica
Cathy: Into the Woods (she just finished playing this musical!)
As Catholics, we practice our faith. As musicians, we practice our craft. How can our practice of each aid in the practice of the other? In today's episode, we seek to explore the connection between the two, and how the art of practicing (for it truly is an art) can help us not only grow as musicians, but in holiness as well.
What we're listening to this week:
Cecilia: Photograph/Clair de Lune, Cody Fry (& Debussy)
Tara: Gabriel Faure's Tantum Ergo
For the first time ever on the podcast, we have two guests! Meet Dan (Tara's boyfriend) and John (Cecilia's fiancé). We invited our significant others on the show today to talk about their perspective on music as non-musicians, and it was a really fascinating and beautiful conversation to have.
What we're listening to:
Cecilia: Consider the Stars, Keith and Kristyn Getty
Tara: Presentation of the Rose, from Richard Strauss's opera Der Rosenkavalier
Dan: Star Wars Samba, Masoyoshi Takanaka
John: Pints with Aquinas: Debates, Apologetics, and Answering Atheism w/ Gavin Ortlund & Trent Horn
On December 31, 2022, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI passed away – and it seems that on that day, people began to reallywake up to the treasure he was to the Church.
Benedict XVI had a deep and profound appreciation for beauty, and for music. He had a grand piano in the papal apartments on which he enjoyed playing, he was an avid lover of Mozart, and he gave an address to artists around the 10th anniversary of Pope St. John Paul II's Letter to Artists.
In today's episode, we explore Benedict's words to artists in his address, and what he had to say about music over the years. You can read his Address to Artists here.
What we're listening to:
Tara's pick: Kingdom Come (RC Music Collective)
Cecilia's pick: Gratitude (Brandon Lake, cover by Eliza King and Hillsong)
It might seem ironic to talk about silence in a podcast episode, but today we're discussing silence with our first guest of the season, Lauren Revay. If you've been following the Hildegard Collective for awhile now, you might recognize her name as she's written a couple of wonderful pieces on beauty for our blog.
This episode comes just in time for the beginning of the Lenten season. Lauren speaks not just about the necessity of external silence, but also of the importance of cultivating internal silence as well. As musicians, we're especially surrounded by sound all the time, but silence is necessary for growth in the spiritual life. If you're seeking to deepen your ability to cultivate silence, or just simply wanting to learn more about it, this podcast episode is a must-listen.
What we're listening to:
Lauren: Brother Isaiah's Pray, Hope, Don't Worry
Tara: A playlist of sacred choral music that she made recently
Cecilia: Lyric Pieces Book 5, op. 54: Notturno, by Edvard Grieg
Book recommendations from Lauren:
The Power of Silence, by Cardinal Robert Sarah
Only the Lover Sings, by Josef Pieper
Bio: Lauren Revay is first and foremost a philosopher with a deep love for beauty, contemplation, and the intellectual life. She studied philosophy at the Catholic University of America and then continued on to study theology at the University of Notre Dame. When not studying life’s deepest questions, Lauren can be found hiking, painting or having a cup of tea with a friend.
Welcome back for season 2 of the Little Sparks podcast! We start out with an episode on beauty. What is it? Can beauty be defined? Are there characteristics of beauty? We're also spending some time chatting about the Transcendentals – qualities of God.
Resources:
Beauty: What It Is and Why It Matters, by John-Mark Miravelle
What we're listening to:
Cecilia's pick: Inner Sanctum/The Nesting Grounds from Dinosaur
Tara's pick: the music from the radio theater version of Little Women
Bonus: Rossini's Cat Duet
We're back! Well, almost. We're recording season 2 and having such a good time with it that we wanted to share a sneak preview with you of what to expect! Be sure to listen to the end to hear when Season 2 will premiere!
While you wait for news on season 2, we've compiled a blooper episode from our interview we did with Anselm Black! We hope it gives you a good laugh & we'll see you in season 2!
In our last episode of season 1, we chat with Emalie Huber of The Cantor Coach! We were so blessed to have Emalie Huber, aka @thecantorcoach, on the podcast for our last episode of season 1! We chatted with Emalie about how she started her ministry, the beauty that's come from it, and her new work with training seminarians how to sing. Emalie's ministry is so beautiful and needed – we encourage you to check it out!
Bio: Emalie Huber is a cradle Catholic who grew up in a small town in Northern Michigan. She is the founder of The Cantor Coach, whose mission is to provide professional vocal coaching and resources to educate, inspire and encourage church singers across the U.S. Emalie cantored her first Mass when she was ten years old and has continued to cantor and perform with church choirs ever since. Now as a seasoned vocalist with her Master's degree in Vocal Performance, Emalie has sung in multiple musical productions, operas, competitions, and concerts across the Midwest. Emalie is especially passionate about helping others discover their own voice. She currently sings and teaches voice lessons in the Greater Cincinnati Area, including working as an adjunct voice professor at the Athenaeum of Ohio: Mount St. Mary's Seminary. You can learn more about The Cantor Coach by visiting www.cantorcoach.com or following The Cantor Coach on Instagram and YouTube.
3 fun facts about Emalie:
- She recently became an aunt to a sweet little boy named Daniel.
- She likes to run/hike/be outside and just ran her first full marathon this last May 2022.
- When in the car, she loves listening to audiobooks - her favorite go-tos are personal development books and Agatha Christie novels:)
What we're listening to:
Emalie: O Come, O Come Emmanuel - Pentatonix and Planets - Infamous Stringduster
Tara: E'en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come
Cecilia: O Come O Come Emmanuel – Taylor Scott Davis
In this bonus episode, Tara's sharing her top life hacks for managing and overcoming performance anxiety. As someone who's personally suffered from this for years, Tara's run the gamut when it comes to trying out ways to manage performance anxiety. She notes that ultimately it's up to each person to figure out what works for them; but these ten tips she's passing on are what have worked best for her – and maybe they can help you, too.
Today we're chatting with Anselm Black, a cantor at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes in Spokane, Washington, lifelong Byzantine Catholic, and dear friend from college. Anselm gives us an insight into the use of music in the Byzantine Divine Liturgy and his own experience with it, and we explore the ethereality of Eastern liturgical music. We also have a great discussion towards the end on discernment regarding secular music choices.
Bio: Anselm Black was born & raised in Seattle in a family of 11, and grew up playing cello and piano. He joined choir in high school and started studying voice when he went to university. At Catholic University of America, Anselm majored in philosophy and music (and also studied abroad in Italy, in case he hasn’t told you already). Anselm now lives in Spokane, sings at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes, and cantors occasionally at Saints Cyril and Methodius Byzantine Church.
What we're listening to:
Anselm: anything by the Arcadian Wild
Cecilia: the Nutcracker Suite
Tara: Heart We Will Forget Him – Aaron Copland
When life gets crazy, it's very tempting to put prayer on the back burner. We've all done it – no shame! But God calls us to relationship with Him regardless of how busy we are, and even if we haven't been the most successful at continuing to pray during busy seasons in the past, we can always try again. God's always waiting for us with open arms!
This week on the podcast, we're chatting about maintaining a prayer life during busy seasons of life. There's no coincidence that we're airing this episode before Thanksgiving – regardless of whether you've got lots of church gigs and performances of the Messiah booked or not, the holiday season is crazy for everyone. We're sharing our best practical tips for incorporating prayer into busy seasons, so if you're looking for some practical things to implement this holiday season, tune in!
What we're listening to:
Cecilia: The Boy Who Flew Away – a delightful instrumental album
Tara: the soundtrack to the 1994 Little Women film
In this short bonus episode, Cecilia addresses the difficulties musicians often have in wrapping up their identities with their profession. She shares her own personal journey with this difficulty, and passes on a helpful insight from her freshman year theology class.
Today on the podcast, we're discussing the purpose of liturgical music, and why understanding the purpose of liturgical music matters. We chatted about how liturgical music also includes music for the Liturgy of the Hours, took a detour into Eucharistic miracles, and touched on the difference between sacred music and liturgical music.
This is a scratch-the-surface episode on liturgical music, so here's what this episode isn't:
- An authoritative guide on liturgical music
- A deep dive into Church documents on liturgical music
- Us telling you exactly what music should be played at Mass
What this episode is:
- A discussion on how the function of liturgical music is to reflect what's happening in the Mass
- A chat about how contributing our musical gifts to the liturgy is a great honor and privilege, but also a great responsibility
- An opportunity for us to talk about Eucharistic miracles, aka one of our favorite topics ever
Cecilia's favorite work of liturgical music: W.A Mozart's Vespers
Tara's favorite work of liturgical music: Roman Hurko's Vespers
Links:
Music and Meaning in the Mass, by Annamaria Cardinalli
Sing the Hours
We brought on mezzo-soprano Julia Janowski for a chat on the podcast today. She and Tara met at SEEK 2019 and have been good friends ever since, and Cecilia's just meeting her for the first time today after hearing about her from Tara for four years! We had a fantastic time chatting about her musical journey, mezzo soprano roles, Edward Elgar's The Snow, and those profound moments when we're making music and realize what a profound gift from God it is to make music. Julia's a wonderful person and a wonderful musician, and we're truly so blessed to have had this chat with her.
What we're listening to:
Cecilia: the 4th movement of Haydn's London Symphony
Tara: Billy Joel's Lullabye
Julia: Yebba'sLove Came Down
Honorary mention: Edward Elgar's The Snow
When we hear the words "Theology of the Body", we're most likely going to do one of two things. Either we ask what it is, or we associate it with Pope St. John Paul II's teachings on human sexuality. But while human sexuality is a key aspect of theology of the body, there's so much more to it. Theology means study of God; and so theology of the body is what the body tells us about God.
Today Cecilia and Tara dive into this broader sense of theology of the body, sharing their experiences while studying music that made them see theology of the body through this broader lens, and how this broader lens can help every musician (1) advocate for themselves better and (2) be a better teacher.
Resources:
These Beautiful Bones, by Emily Stimpson Chapman
What Every Pianist Needs to Know About the Body, by Thomas Mark
Playing (less) Hurt: An Injury Prevention Guide for Musicians, by Janet Horvath
What we're listening to:
Cecilia's pick: the whimsical soundtrack to Emma, by Isobel Waller-Bridges, especially the track "Mr. Knightley".
Tara's pick: A Space in Time by Irish band Cuig
Today we're super excited to chat with Bridget Gindhart, a songwriter located in Harrisburg, PA and a dear friend of the Hildegard Collective. She shared some beautiful perspective on glorifying God through the creation of secular music and how she desires to bring God to her listeners regardless of their faith and beliefs. She also shared how experiencing a guitar-related injury helped deepen her spiritual life and bring her to the music she creates today.
We're also sharing what we've been listening to lately! Here's picks from Cecilia, Tara, and Bridget to check out this week:
Cecilia's pick: Ghost of a King and Band of Gold by The Gray Havens
Tara's pick: Robert Parsons' setting of Ave Maria
Bridget's pick: Nothing Else Matters from Metallica's joint concert with the San Francisco Symphony
Short bio: Bridget Gindhart is a 23 year old songwriter and guitarist located in Harrisburg, PA. She's been playing music since she was six years old and went on to receive a BA in Music from The Pennsylvania State University. Bridget has a YouTube channel called "RidgeBits" that has received over 1.3 million views across her channel. Most recently, Bridget received an endorsement as a Pulse Artist for PRS Guitars and has been writing/recording music and playing gigs locally in Harrisburg as she develops her career in the secular pop music industry.
Follow Bridget on Instagram
Follow Bridget on YouTube
Follow Bridget on TikTok
Join Cecilia and Tara for a chat about the life and legacy of St. Hildegard von Bingen, the impact she had on the Church and continues to have today (cough cough pumpkin spice cough), and what she can teach us about authentic self care.
In this episode, Tara and Cecilia chat about Pope St. John Paul II's Letter to Artists, a beautiful letter released on Easter Sunday, 1999, to artists worldwide. They especially chat about the creative streak in every human (whether they realize it or not), the capacity of genre of music to lead someone towards God, and the Church's embrace of all that is good, beautiful, and true.
We had some slight technical difficulties in recording this episode and the audio quality is not always as good as we'd like it to be! We figured out what the issue was and shouldn't have that problem moving forward.
Links to Tara & Cecilia's favorite renditions of Ave Maria:
Franz Biebl's rendition:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7C-VXZVSTw
Kevin Memley's rendition:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97btQwPP8ck
Rihards Dubra's rendition:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28NzGYAvsoQ
Learn more about the Little Sparks podcast, our co-hosts Cecilia Leskowicz and Tara McDermott, and what to expect from the show!