About

History

In 1983, a group of praying women who wanted to learn to sing gregorian chant approached the concert and recording artist, clinician and educator, Therese Schroeder-Sheker, to ask if she would design a special class for them.  Being a person of prayer herself, and a great lover of the a cappella schola cantorum tradition and medieval chant, she was thrilled to do so through the Ars Antiqua Center, a musicology institute.  When the simple eight week course was completed, the group realized they wanted to continue singing together.  

Under the namesake of Stella Splendens, a beloved polyphonic work rising from the pilgrimage culture of Montserrat in Catalonia, the ensemble continued to meet once a week.  As Stella Splendens, they sang under a rubric that heralds Mary the Mother of God as the Splendid Star.  Ever aware of the rugged nature of the ascent of the journey, the ensemble followed suit, praying and joying in many different ways, exploring late medieval, Renaissance and 20th century choral works for the next nine years, choral works in eight different languages across three continents.  With time, Stella Splendens grew into a much beloved performing arts ensemble in Denver and by invitation of the Vincentian rector Fr. John Rybolt, served as Artists-in-Residence at St. Thomas Theological Seminary where Therese taught.  

When Therese left Denver in 1992, the group changed our name to Stella Nova (New Star).  The group has always been interested in the connection between the physical world and the spiritual worlds.  We have a sense of a higher power and  the presence of angels.  Our goal is to create a blended sound with a spiritual intention.  When we manage to bring a higher power and quality to our listeners, it is not through our prowess as vocalists, but our working together in service to the music.  We attempt to always sing consciously, feeling that singing is like praying twice (to paraphrase St. Augustine).  The group is not confined to a certain religion or denomination.  We are eclectic and embrace music that stirs our hearts from many spiritual streams, as well as pieces we feel might not otherwise be sung.

Members

Jane Carteron

Bethany Cobb

Lori Daniels

Jan Duncan

Vicki Hindes

Lily Kellogg

 

 

Higher Thoughts

In seeking wisdom, the first step is silence, the second listening, the third remembering, the fourth practicing, the fifth – teaching others.       - Ibn Gabirol

Plainchant is a vehicle which can take one as high as one is capable of going, whether on the path of identification with the inner tone, as for the singer, or, for the listener, on that of entry into those temples in the high spheres that can be opened through song only.  - Messiaen

The power of prayer consists in the harmony of one mutual sentient part to another, just as happens in a taut string; when the lower part is set in motion, the upper part is also moved.                 - Marsilio Ficino

The dynamic movement of living music changes the listener, kneading the physiology of giver and receiver.          - Therese Schroeder-Sheker

Music

Offerings

Stella Nova

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  1. 1
    Come, Come Whoever You Are 2:33
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  2. 2
    Confitemini Domino 2:06
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  3. 3
    El Noi de la Mare 4:29
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  4. 4
    Bring Heaven to Earth 3:34
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  5. 5
    Heaven in a Wildflower 2:55
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  6. 6
    Pars Mea Dominus 3:03
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  7. 7
    Christus Bedenke Uns 3:11
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  8. 8
    Salve Regina 1:55
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  9. 9
    Ave maris stella 4:54
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  10. 10
    Balulalow 1:35
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  11. 11
    Christus natus est 2:00
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  12. 12
    Your Unsurpassed Love 3:53
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  13. 13
    Nous te Saluons 2:56
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  14. 14
    Now is the Cool Of the Day 4:36
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  15. 15
    Prayer for Heavenly Medicine 2:58
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TRANSLATIONS 
(Offerings)

Confitemini Domino
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good.  Give thanks to the Lord.  Alleluia

Pars Mea Dominus
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul.  “Therefore, I will hope in him.”     - from the Lamentations of Jeremiah

Christus Bedenke Uns
In your light, Oh Christ,
In your love, Oh Christ,
In your peace, Oh Christ

Christ, inspire us
Christ, bestow your grace
Bestow your grace upon us

Salve Regina
Hail, Holy Queen, mother of mercy, our life, sweetness and hope, hail!
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve.  To you we sigh, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn, then, our advocate, those merciful eyes toward us.  And Jesus, the blessed fruit of thy womb, after our exile, show us.  
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary

Ave Maris Stella
Hail, O star of the ocean, God's own Mother blest, ever sinless Virgin, gate of Heavenly rest.
Taking that sweet Ave, which from Gabriel came, peace confirm within us.  Changing Eve's name.
Keep our life all spotless, make our way secure, til we find in Jesus joy for evermore.

Christus Natus Est
Christ is born for us, O come let us adore him.

Nous te Saluons
We salute you, our Lady.  We bless you, Mother of Mercy.  Hail Queen!

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The following performances were copyrighted by Stella Nova in 2023:

El Noi de la Mare, copyrighted by Lily Kellogg, 2023
Your Unsurpassed Love, copyrighted by Lily Kellogg, 2023
Ave Maris Stella, copyrighted by Lily Kellogg, 2023
Bring Heaven to Earth, lyrics taken from a Buddhist Prayer, copyrighted by Lily Kellogg, 2023
Christus Bedenke Uns, by Michael Jacobi and Diethart Jaehnig, used with permission
Come, Come, Whoever You Are, by Zuleikha Bethami, lyrics by Jelaluddin Rumi, used with permission, copyright CD Baby Beta and Swan Lake Publishing, LLC
Now is the Cool of the Day, by Jean Ritchie, copyright Geordiana Music Publishing
Heaven in a Wildflower, by Bill Douglas, lyrics from a poem by William Blake, copyright Ev-Web Music o/b/o Ziji Music ASCAP
Balulalow, by Benjamin Britten, copyright Boosey and Hawkes, Inc.
Prayer for Heavenly Medicine, originally SSAT or SATB, text and music composed by Therese Schroeder-Sheker, copyright St. Dunstan’s Press 1994, all rights reserved internationally.

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