Joy, spirituality, vocal preparation emphasized at Music Ministry Retreat

From The Superior Catholic Herald...

When Francesca LaRosa was in high school, she was active in musical theatre but never given a part in any play. Instead, she was always sent to the pit, where her skills as a pianist were needed. But ultimately this disappointment grew into a blessing when she was asked to compose bridges – music bridging the gaps between songs – and that experience blossomed into a passion for musical composition and a career.

LaRosa composed and recorded two albums of liturgical music before finishing high school, then pursued music education at Ball State University. These days, LaRosa is based in Indianapolis; she is a vocalist, pianist, liturgical composer, retreat leader and educator who travels nationally to work with choirs, student groups and liturgical musicians.

The featured presenter at the Diocese of Superior’s 2024 Music Ministry Retreat and Workshop, LaRosa shared her teaching skills and classically trained mezzo-soprano voice, along with a deep and joyful spirituality, with around 70 musicians on Saturday, Oct. 5, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Woodruff.

This is the first time the annual event has taken place in October. Paul Birch, director of the Diocese of Superior’s Office of Worship, said this year’s fall scheduling of the workshop, which has always been in February, will be standard from now on. The retreats will be rotated between Woodruff and Amery to accommodate musicians on both sides of the diocese.

Read the rest of this news story on The Superior Catholic Herald (official publication of the Diocese of Superior) website here...