"Tending Our Flame: St. Brigid and the Light Within” with Allison Mondel

 

For those who are in the Boston area, you are invited to a *free* music workshop coming up this Saturday, March 1st from 10am-12pm at the historic First Parish Church of Stow and Acton.

This beautiful offering blends medieval Irish chant, embodied voice practices, and guided contemplation to help participants re-ignite their "inner flame," inspired by the patroness of Ireland, St. Brigid of Kildare.

If you are in the area, I hope you will consider joining me! It will be great to see you. And please share with anyone you know who might be local. 💚

Love,
Allison

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FREE WORKSHOP:

Tending Our Flame: St. Brigid and the Light Within

WHEN: Saturday, March 1, 2025 from 10am-12pm ET

WHERE: First Parish Church of Stow and Acton, Stow, MA, USA

A musical-mystical workshop inspired by St. Brigid of Kildare, Ireland, crafted to help us kindle our inner fire during the coldest time of the year. Led by Allison Mondel, teaching artist and director of Eya Medieval Music, this experience weaves together story, contemplation, and rare medieval chant from Ireland (listen to an example here).

Together, we will explore how St. Brigid’s wisdom can illuminate and rekindle our inner flame, empowering us to radiate this light into our life, art, and work. Through mindful vocal practices, sacred chant, and guided contemplation, participants connect their voice to the radiant source within.

This event is free and open to the public. All are welcome to attend!

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND REGISTER ☘️

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Washington DC: Saint Brigid and the Medieval Sacred Music of Ireland

I received an exciting email last night from Allison Mondel of the musical ensemble, Eya. She wrote of a "re-envisioning [of] the music in a 'contemporary matins' program, with music, poems, prayers, and stories (spoken in English) and a volunteer women’s ensemble, Brigid’s Circle, formed especially for this performance." The music, taken from two manuscripts at Trinity College Dublin, was first recorded in more traditional form by the Scottish vocal group Canty a number of years ago. (For more on the out-of-print CD and the music itself, see my 2008 blog post. For a taste of Eya's music, go here.) All of the events of the program are free of charge, and no reservations are necessary.

How I envy those of you living near enough to attend! Fingers crossed that this one day comes out on CD.

Eya is thrilled to partner with Georgetown University in presenting Saint Brigid and the Medieval Sacred Music of Ireland. This music festival will feature:

•    Chant workshop led by Eya's music director, Allison Mondel
•    Women's ensemble, Brigid's Circle, featured in performance with Eya
•    Concert performance of new program, Brigid, presented by Eya with Brigid's Circle

This festival project is co-sponsored by several departments at Georgetown University, including Campus Ministries, Global Irish Studies, the Department of Theology, and the Department of Performing Arts. Eya is also thrilled to partner with The Amra Project, an international collaborative project centered at Trinity College Dublin and founded by Dr. Ann Buckley. As a performing ensemble associated with the project, we aim to bring this rare body of music to a wider audience in the United States.

​The Amra Project was founded in order to illuminate the medieval music and sources of Gregorian chant devoted to Irish saints, found in Irish sources and beyond. This presentation is a launching point for future collaborations with Eya, Trinity College Dublin, and Georgetown University, further exploring the connection of sacred medieval music and Ireland.

​WITH GUEST ARTIST
Cynthia Cathcart
​clàrsach (wire-strung harp)

SCHEDULE
​Saturday, February 1, 2020                          Led by Allison Mondel:

4-5:30pm  ​McNeir Auditorium (New North Building) MAP

Irish Chant Workshop  RSVP WORKSHOP

​​7-9pm  Dahlgren Chapel MAP

​Concert Performance: Brigid Eya with Brigid's Circle

All events take place at Georgetown University and are free of charge. No tickets or reservations required.

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PHOTO: Saint Brigid's Cathedral, Kildare, Ireland (Allison Mondel)