Saturday Night: Hildegard Here & NOw
“Hildegard Here and Now”
Meet Hildegard of Bingen – A Saint for Our Times – Composer, Visionary, Poet, Prophet, Theologian, Artist, Healer, Botanist, Biographer, Prolific Correspondent and Abbess. Hildegard Here and Now is an intimate theatre experience featuring transcendent music and insights into this extraordinary women’s enduring legacy, to create a texture of space, stillness, deep listening and healing, in the unique ambience of our historic church.
Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/hildefest
Under the direction of Alison Rogers, Genesis Rising performs music by Hildegard alongside modern works inspired by her legacy, including pieces by Benjamin Britten and Ola Gjello; Exaudi Australis premiers a new commission by young Australian composer and Exaudi Australis singer, Aarya Dath.
About the Artists: Vocal Manoeuvres Ensembles
Exaudi Australis
Exaudi Australis is a professional chamber ensemble within Vocal Manoeuvres Academy, renowned for refined ensemble singing and stylistic versatility. The group explores repertoire spanning early music to contemporary works, presenting historically informed performances alongside vibrant new compositions.
www.vmacademy.net.au/exaudi-australis
Genesis Rising
Genesis Rising is the youth ensemble of Vocal Manoeuvres Academy, bringing dynamic young voices together to explore repertoire from early chant and classical works to contemporary choral music. Under the direction of Alison Rogers, the ensemble focuses on musical excellence, stylistic versatility, and collaborative artistry. Recent projects include large-scale festival appearances, collaborations with VMA’s professional artists, and premières of new works by emerging Australian composers.
https://www.vmacademy.net.au/vocal-manoeuvres-academy-youth-ensemble/
Sunday Program
Worship
Hildegard’s music was all composed for liturgical purposes, so our services are a fundamental component of Hildefest celebrations.
9am: Sung Eucharist with guest preacher, The Very Reverend Keren Terpstra
12pm: Labyrinth workshop with The Reverend Elizabeth Donald McConnell
6pm: Choral Evensong with VMA ensembles and The Very Reverend Keren Terpstra
Choir Workshop
Join our community choir, Joyful Voices, to learn practical singing tips and practice one of Hildegard’s pieces so you can join in later in the day. Led by VMA Director Alison Rogers
Labyrinth Workshop
Hildegard von Bingen
Scivias II.2: The Trinity.
Rupertsberg MS, fol. 47r.
The labyrinth is a walking meditation, a path of prayer and an archetypal blueprint where psyche meets Spirit. It has only one path that leads from the outer edge in a circuitous way to the centre. There are no tricks to it and no dead ends. Unlike a maze where you lose your way, the labyrinth is a spiritual tool that can help you find your way. Rev Elizabeth will lead an introduction to labyrinth prayer, and lead us into that prayer space. Participants will then have the opportunity to pray with a variety of labyrinths, accompanied with Hildegard’s music playing quietly in the background. The church will remain open throughout lunch for you to engage in your own time.
For more information, see https://veriditas.org/
Sunday afternoon Program
The Sunday afternoon program is TBD. It will include sessions on ecotheology, environmental justice, and a short musical program. Stay tuned!
This project has received funding support from the Lord Mayor’s Community Fund (LMCF) - Gabba Ward
The very reverend keren terpstra
Keren is currently Dean of St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral, Sale, in the Diocese of Gippsland. Prior to ordination, Keren trained in composition with Anne Boyd at the University of Sydney. She has had a lifelong love of choral music, and of writing liturgical music for choirs. She describes her compositional approach as “a searching for the light.” Two of her works will be sung at Hildefest Evensong - the Magnificat and the Nunc Dimittis.
mowatch.com.au/leadership/the-very-reverend-keren-terpstra
www.australianmusiccentre.com.au/artist/terpstra-keren