Kickstarter

The purpose of the California Mission Schola is to revive the music utilized in liturgy during the historical Mission Period (c. 1770–1850). This repertoire represents the earliest example of polyphonic music performed in California, and therefore holds a privileged place in the musical history of the State. The surviving manuscripts of the California Missions, which until now have been virtually unknown and unperformed, represent the largest surviving collection of Spanish Colonial music in the United States.

The concert will be performed in the Old San Gabriel Mission church on Saturday, June 9, 2012.  This excellent choir will be accompanied by a Spanish Classical orchestra, which consist of violins, cello, harp, chamber organ, classical guitars, flutes, horns and bassoon.  The music used in the concert is based on the research of musicologist Steven Ottomanyi .  Many discoveries have been made from this research in how this music was sung and how this music was used.  The arrangements are taken from the original music manuscripts found throughout the 21 California Missions and various archives around the state and have been transcribed and edited based on the findings of this new research.

The funds that are being raised will be used to cover the costs of putting on a concert, which include: printing, musicians, recording costs, venue and other various expenses.  The California Mission Period is an important chapter in the overall history of the State and the music from that period needs to be cherished and made known to the public.  This concert intends to give this music the respect it truly deserves with high quality performances of great musicians and in a venue that this music was originally created for.  How fitting it is that this concert will be performed in such an appropriate place: Mission San Gabriel Arcangel, the mother church of the largest archdiocese in the United States of America

Thank you for supporting this historic project.