Programs and Events
of the Mount Angel Institute

An Evening with Cello & Guitar

Maria Shim, Cello | Scott Kritzer, Guitar
June 25 | 7:30 pm
Mount Abbey Library

Maria Shim, solo cello
Cello Suite No I – J.S. Bach

Prelude
Allemande
Courante
Sarabande
Minuetts I & II
Gigue

Maria Shim, cello | Scott Kritzer, guitar
Cé Grant Matin – Frantz Casseus
Assoto

Centone di Sonate – Niccolo Paganini

Larghetto
Allegro maestoso
Rondoncino

Maria Shim is a sought-after cellist deeply rooted in the tradition of proven cello technique. Her musical journey began at age four with cellist Anne Grabe. She had lessons with Irene Sharp, following the acclaimed Margaret Rowell’s curriculum, which now shapes her approach to teaching.

Scott Kritzer is a highly sought after instructor of the classical guitar. In addition to his performing career, his consummate commitment to technical excellence as the solid structure beneath an unparalleled sense of musicality has brought him decades of accolades from audiences and critics alike.

Please note: There is no charge for this event, but please come a few minutes early for best seating!

All are welcome to join us at the following related events:

June 29 | 11 am
Abbey Guesthouse – Westminster Room
Lecture: Learning an Instrument and Memorization as an Adult

June 29 | 7:30 pm
Mount Abbey Library
Student Recital: Classical Guitar Institute

An Evening with Classical Guitar

Played by Madeline Okano
June 28 | 7:30 pm
Mount Angel Library

Fiddling – Bryan Johanson

A Day in November – Leo Brouwer
Danza Characteristic

Cello Suite No I – J.S. Bach

Prelude
Allemande
Courante
Sarabande
Minuetts I & II
Gigue

Choros No 1 – Heitor Villa-Lobos

Madeline Okano is a multi-instrumentalist and began playing classical guitar at the early age of five and the violin from age nine. Madeline studied the Suzuki method in depth using it as a strong foundation for her development. When she moved to Portland as a teenager, Madeline was accepted into the prestigious Portland Youth Philharmonic and developed a deep appreciation for music performance and has been performing ever since. Madeline holds a Bachelor’s degree of Music in Guitar Performance from Portland State University.

Please note: There is no charge for this event, but please come a few minutes early for best seating!

All are welcome to join us at the following related events:

June 29 | 11 am
Abbey Guesthouse – Westminster Room
Lecture: Learning an Instrument and Memorization as an Adult

June 29 | 7:30 pm
Mount Abbey Library
Student Recital: Classical Guitar Institute

Bach: Ascension Oratorio

Oregon Bach Festival Chorus and Period Orchestra
June 29 | 3:00 pm
Mount Angel Abbey church

The Oregon Bach Festival Chorus and Period Orchestra explore the universal human experiences of grief, healing, acceptance, and joy. Join “exuberant” conductor (Gramophone) John Butt for an emotional journey, from the opening text of BWV 21 – “I had much grieving in my heart” – to the lively, trumpet-dominated choruses and exquisite vocal solos of Bach’s “Ascension” Oratorio.

J.S Bach: Cantata: Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis, BWV 2i
J.S. Bach: “Ascension Oratorio,” BWV 11

OBF Chorus
OBF Period Orchestra
John Butt, conductor

To reserve seats, please see University of Oregon event calendar.

Iconography Exhibit | Writing the Divine

Practicing & Preserving the Sacred Art of Iconography

July 2 – 29 | 9 am – 4 pm
Mount Angel Library

The focus of this exhibition is to decode the symbolism of the icon, helping guests see icons in a new light.

Highlights of the exhibit include:

• Fruits of Christ’s Passion: a 19^th century Russian icon, egg tempera on wood, with inscriptions in Old Slavonic Cyrillic.
• Map of Holy Jerusalem: an 18^th century wooden panel icon painted with egg tempera and natural earth pigments. It is both hagiographic and geographic, meaning it tells the stories of saints and sacred events from both Old and New Testaments on the sites of their geographic location in and around Jerusalem.

The exhibit is on loan from the Classical Iconography Institute, which is holding an iconography retreat at Mount Angel from July 7 through 12.

Beginning Intensive Iconography Retreat

with the Classical Iconography Institute

July 7 – 12, 2024

Please see Classical Iconography Institute’s website for course fees and registration, or call Christine Thum Schlesser at 503.710.8800.
Registration deadline: June 7, 2024.

The Classical Iconography Institute returns to Mount Angel with class sessions organized around the Liturgy of the Hours and monastic mealtimes. Beginning students start the program by first writing The Mandylion (Holy Face of Christ).

Classical Iconography Institute is dedicated to training iconographers capable of writing liturgical icons for the Church. The Institute continues the legacy of the Iconographic Arts Institute, founded at Mount Angel Abbey in 1987, which focused on the most ancient tradition and methods of sacred iconography from instruction by master iconographers. In 2022, the Iconographic Arts Institute nonprofit experienced a change in leadership and a new location, expanding its scope to year-round traditional instruction in sacred iconography. Classical Iconography Institute’s teaching studio is currently at the Holy Rosary Parish campus in Portland, Oregon.

Saint Benedict Festival 2024
Feast | Pray | Meet the Monks

Noon Prayer to Vespers | Saturday, July 13

The Saint Benedict Festival at Mount Angel Abbey begins with midday prayer with the monks in the Abbey church, followed by a leisurely buffet picnic on the Abbey lawn. Experience classic Benedictine hospitality, live music, and good conversation with friends and family. Deepen your understanding of the Benedictine way of life through the special events of the afternoon:

• The Abbey Experience booth provides a glimpse into the cloister.
• An iconography exhibit in the library foyer portrays art and prayer.
• A selection of the Abbey’s illuminated manuscripts is a glimpse of ancient monastic prayer.
• Enjoy Benedictine Brewery beer and local Oregon wines.
• Visit the Abbey’s bookstore and coffeehouse.

The afternoon closes with a procession with the monks, chanting the litany of St. Benedict and carrying a statue of St. Benedict into the church before vespers.

Find more information and ticket form on the Saint Benedict Festival web page!

Children’s Book Club: The Little Way of a Pilgrim

July 20 | 3-4:00 pm
Mount Angel Library

Join us for a family afternoon and book reading with monks and Jennifer Anna Rich, author of the children’s book, The Little Way of a Pilgrim.

Travel alongside our pilgrim in this whimsically illustrated retelling of the Russian classic, The Little Way of a Pilgrim. Here is a serious adventure poised to embed the love of the Jesus Prayer in the hearts of children and their bedtime readers alike. As he sets his curious feet forward, our pilgrim is tenacious in his quest for prayer. His winding path leads him into a deep love for all creation, offers tools to overcome anxious thoughts, and reveals surprisingly simple ways of experiencing the joy of being with God.

There will be snacks and beverages for children and wine and cheese for the adults. Along with the reading, there will also be activities such as coloring and drawing.

Please Note: A parent or guardian must be present during the book reading and all activities.

Abbey Bach Festival

July 24, 25, & 26, 2024
and a Children’s Concert Saturday morning, July 27

We have a very exciting program planned for this summer that promises to continue with surprises. Johann Sebastian Bach has influenced composers and musicians throughout Western music for more than 300 years. Join us on our inviting Willamette Valley hilltop for an evening with Bach concerts in the church, a delicious picnic buffet, and feature concerts hinting at Bach’s influence. And, the Friday night surprise – a jazz concert – Bach to Gershwin!

Daily Festival Schedule

5:20 pm           Vespers
6 pm                Church concert
6:30 pm           Picnic buffet supper
8 pm                Feature concert

Please see the Abbey Bach Festival page for full details for the evening concerts, July 24, 25, and 26, as well as the Children’s Concert with Alon Goldstein and the Guy Mintus Trio on Saturday morning, July 27.