Contact: Ben Peterson, PR Specialist, OCP, 503-460-5363
PORTLAND, Ore., May 19 /Christian Newswire/ -- Last spring, Jesuit Father Christopher Willcock began work on a worship music collection intended for the events of World Youth Day 2008, set to be held in his native country, Australia. Part of the task involved writing songs for the MAGiS08 justice and service program, a convocation of nearly 1,200 young adults from all over the world that will take place in the days just prior to WYD in Sydney. The result is Who Did You See?, a group of 13 songs for these special occasions as well as youth ministry and parish celebrations throughout the year.
"Father Willcock, a highly acclaimed composer and arranger of cathedral-choral anthems and other orchestral compositions, has most certainly met the challenge of creating new material accessible for those more accustomed to the praise-and-worship style of songs present at young adult gatherings," says Tom Tomaszek, director of artist relations and product development for OCP. "Together this collection of songs represents a new level of achievement for Father Willcock. It’s truly a gift for those who will attend World Youth Day and beyond."
World Youth Day organizers selected "Spirit-Power" to be the entrance song for the closing eucharistic liturgy with Pope Benedict XVI. The song captures the event's official theme: "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses" (Acts 1:8). The CD and sheet music/octavo both feature two versions, one entirely in English and an international version with refrain in English and verses in Spanish, French and Italian.
Who Did You See? features a diversity of styles, including tender pieces like "Come and Heal Us" and "There Is Nothing Told," the bilingual "En Todo Amar," the multilingual "Spirit-Power," the Taize-style "O Veni Sancte Spiritus" (with Latin as well as English lyrics), even the rhythmic "Gifts of the Spirit" and "Whence Comes This Fire." There is something here for a variety of musical tastes.
At World Youth Day in July, a million young Catholics will take up the words of "Spirit-Power" and other songs from Who Did You See? But that’s only the beginning for Christopher Willcock's seventh collection. Catholics of all ages will enjoy its provocative texts and contemporary melodies for years to come. For more information on Who Did You See? and other music from OCP, visit www.ocp.org or call 1-800-548-8749.
About OCP
OCP, a not-for-profit publisher of liturgical music and worship resources based in Portland, Oregon, has been in operation for more than 80 years. Worship programs produced by OCP are used in two-thirds of Catholic churches in the United States and are distributed worldwide.
