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| The Palestrina Award |
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Jane
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he recipient of the 2001 Palestrina Award is Jane Errera.
Mrs. Errera serves as Director of Sacred Music and Principal Organist at Saint Anne's Catholic Church in
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where she has worked since 1980.
She selects music for all parish and school Masses, directs the adult choir, trains the cantors, and plays the 1977 45-rank Schantz organ.
Prior to her present position, Mrs. Errera spent 18 years as Organist-Choir Director at Saint Matthew's Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, where she was responsible for five choirs, a brass quintet, and a recorder ensemble. In 1978, she took a sabbatical leave from Saint Matthew's to work at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Newark, NJ. Her duties included giving tours of the cathedral and demonstrating there the largest Schantz organ ever built. Jane received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Muhlenberg College, where she was an organ student of Ludwig Lenel. Professor Lenel, the godson and protege of Albert Schweitzer, encouraged her to continue her musical endeavors. A Masters in Elementary Education from Lehigh University and a subsequent career as an elementary classroom teacher enabled Mrs. Errera to pursue graduate work in sacred music at Gonzaga University, Catholic University, Kings College, and Westminster Choir College, from which she received the Kodaly Certificate. Mrs. Errera holds a Certificate in Gregorian Chant from the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music in Rome, where she studied with Don Alberto Turco. She has also studied Gregorian chant with Dr. Mary Berry, Gerard Farrell, O.S.B., Columba Kelly, O.S.B., and Anthony Ruff, O.S.B. She has earned the Choirmasters Certificate from the American Guild of Organists. During her forty years as a Guild member, Mrs. Errera has held several offices, latest of which was that of Coordinator of the AGO Region III 2001 Convention. While active as an organ teacher, she herself continues to take lessons, most recently from John Stansell and Russell Jackson. Jane has given organ recitals in the United States, Italy, and Germany. Mrs. Errera's involvement in the larger community includes having served as President of the Serra Club of Bethlehem. In June, 2001, at the International Convention of the Latin Liturgy Association held in Chicago, Jane was elected to the Office of Treasurer of the LLA. On a lighter note, and perhaps as an outgrowth of her superb pedal technique, Jane has just begun tap dancing lessons. CNP is grateful for her support of our involvement in the very successful Region III Convention of the American Guild of Organists in Bethlehem in June 2001, a support that extended well beyond her duties as coordinator. The communication and the organization she brought to the planning stages, which extended well-throughout the convention, made it a delightful opportunity for us. We would also like to express our gratitude to her for commissioning music for the parish of Saint Anne in Bethlehem. This commitment to new liturgical music is at the heart of our company and Jane has helped to realize our goal. It is our pleasure to thank Jane Errera for her generous help to CanticaNOVA Publications and to formally recognize her contribution through this award. | |
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