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On December 14, 2014, Incensum, the vocal ensemble I am part of, performed a concert (in Aalst, Kerk OLV van Bijstand) for the occasion of Advent and Christmas, together with a choir from South Africa – Bergrivierkoor.

We’ve recorded this concert and you can hear Incensum sing its parts by clicking the film below [or open download file]. It is not a professional recording but I do think you get a pretty good idea of our sound. There are six of us:

Migrant Mother (by Dorothea Lange 1936)Colin De Pelsmaker: first alto, countertenor
Erik Buys: second alto, countertenor
Luc Claessens: tenor
Miguel Van de Velde: tenor
Simon Bomon: bass
Piet De Laender: bass

For more information on the songs we sang (lyrics and translation), click here (pdf).

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The Tree of Life. A film by Terrence Malick. A masterpiece.

A poetic meditation on Grace.

I compiled some scenes from the film to accompany a song by Dan Reed Network, Color this hour (only available as a live version).

It’s my Christmas meditation this year. Celebrating Christmas, we really welcome the miracle of Love incarnate.

Drops of water shed on a newborn baby’s head symbolically remind us of the transformational power of Love’s glory – a gentle, vulnerable yet free and creative dynamic amidst the grand forces of nature.

Enjoy. Click to watch and to listen:

“Well, I know Love sits in a corner,

patiently waiting for the bell to ring

Let it ring…

it’ll come out swingin’ when it feels ready

make it easy for the silent to sing…

Color the sky, baby, color this hour,

shed some rain on this broken flower…

Color the sky, color this hour,

shed some light with your infinite power…

then color this hour…”

(from Color this hour, by Dan Reed Network)