Monks of Norcia Go to #1 on Billboard

Who knew that Monks would top the Billboard charts?  In a milieu where Taylor Swift, Muse and Of Monsters and Men are all reigning the charts with their hippest tunes, a group of monks are also camping in the same vincinity. The Monks of Norcia recently released their debut album Benedicta: Marian Chant from Norcia on June 2- they are some of the few to skyrocket to the top of the charts throughout music history. Made of up 18 men (primarily in their 30s) not only did the Monks of Norcia bring music back the ears of America, but also to the community of Norcia, Italy after 200 years.

Founded in 1998 by Fr. Cassian Folsom, Prior, he settled with his community back in the birthplace of St. Benedict. An American who studied voice at the venerable Indiana University before joining the monastery, Fr. Cassian explains, "Music is essential to the monastic life... chant is part of the air we breathe."

With the help of his brothers and Grammy Award-winning producer Christopher Alder and Grammy Award-winning engineer Jonathan Stokes,BENEDICTA: Marian Chant from Norcia is composed of songs that honor the Virgin Mary. The chants include favorites such as Marian antiphons, as well as previously unrecorded chant versions of responsories and a piece originally composed by the monks.

 

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