Musical Explorations of the Psalms

 Deus Ex Musica’s resources bring the Bible to life in unique and memorable ways.

Since 2019, dozens of churches, religious organizations, and educational institutions (both religious and secular) have made use of our music in order to foster discussion about Scripture.

Written by a global, diverse, ecumenical, and interfaith collection of award-winning composers, these compelling works reflect the depth, beauty, and emotional power of the psalms in ways that that encourage participants to experience the psalms as never before.

Our materials, resources, and events are appropriate for audiences of laypeople and/or students of all ages. No musical background or experience is necessary.

 There are numerous ways institutions can make use of our resources:

            By sponsoring interactive events featuring live performances of works drawn from our catalog

            By hosting live online events using Deus Ex Musica’s video or audio recordings

            By developing and running their own events using our recordings and discussion materials

Examples include:

• a live performance and discussion offered as part of a chapel service at Gordon College (a Christian college)

• an interactive session featuring live performances at an academic conference hosted. by the Kirby Laing Institute for Public Theology

• a guest presentation (using video recordings) in a religious-studies class at the University of Massachusetts-Boston

• an online faith formation discussion series offered through the Anglican parish of St Martin in the Fields, London

• a public interfaith event, featuring live performances, sponsored by the Cambridge Inter-Faith Programme

            Scroll down to learn more about each of these opportunities, or contact us directly.

HOSTING A LIVE EVENT FEATURING PERFORMANCES OF OUR WORKS 

DESCRIPTION

Institutions may partner with Deus Ex Musica to present an interactive 60-90-minute event that pairs live musical performances of sacred works with discussion.   Usually offered in collaboration with Christian education, faith formation, and/or music ministries, the goal of this event is to encourage participants to experience Scripture in ways that are memorable, personally meaningful, and spiritually valuable.

Presenting institutions may choose from a selection of new psalm-inspired vocal or instrumental pieces, composed expressly for Deus Ex Musica.  The vocal pieces are composed for either solo female singer (soprano or mezzo-soprano) or baritone, plus piano. The instrumental works are written for unaccompanied violin or viola.   All of the works are short (approximately 5 minutes.)

The performance of each piece is followed by an informal discussion. The discussions may be held in large-group or small-group formats. Depending upon the location, Deus Ex Musica founder Delvyn Case may be available to moderate the event.  If not, Deus Ex Musica will provide discussion materials. If desired, a DEM staff person can provide an informal online training session for discussion leader(s) in advance of the event.

Hosts work collaboratively with DEM founder Delvyn Case to develop and curate this event.

Deus Ex Musica staff are available to work with hosts in order to secure local professional musicians to perform the works. Often performers are drawn from staff musicians (such as choral scholars or section leaders, if at a church) or faculty/students (if at an educational institution.) In some cases, DEM staff may be available to perform.

REQUIREMENTS

·       Equipment: piano (for vocal works only)

·       Personnel: singer and pianist; solo violinist; or solo violist.

·       Location: any space that allows for discussion. A sanctuary is not necessary.

·       Funding : 1.)  appropriate honoraria for the performers. 2.) $150 donation to Deus Ex Musica to support our ministry.

·       In certain cases, Deus Ex Musica may provide and/or subsidize these costs.

Versions of this event have been hosted by a wide variety of institutions, including:

Churches: Old South Church, Boston (UCC), Moscow Church, Royal York Baptist Church (Toronto), St. Giles’s Church, Oxford (Anglican), Faith United Methodist Church (Illinois)

Academic organizations: The Kirby Laing Centre for Public Theology, Cambridge Inter-faith Programme)

Colleges: Gordon College, Wheaton College-Illinois, Bethel University, Free Lutheran Bible College

Religious organizations: The Bay View Association of the United Methodist Church

Contact us if you are interested in discussing this unique opportunity.

HOSTING A LIVE ONLINE EVENT USING OUR VIDEOS OR RECORDINGS

DESCRIPTION

Institutions may partner with Deus Ex Musica to present an interactive online event that uses video- or audio-recordings of our works as a springboard for discussion. Usually offered in collaboration with Christian education, faith formation, and/or music ministries, the goal of this event is to encourage participants to experience Scripture in ways that are memorable, personally meaningful, and spiritually valuable.

Presenting institutions may choose from the selection of new psalm-inspired vocal or instrumental pieces composed expressly for Deus Ex Musica.  All of the works are short (approximately 5 minutes.)   Hosts may work with DEM founder Delvyn Case to develop a program that best fits the priorities and goals of the event, and that prompts the types of conversations best suited for the participants (laypeople, students, seminarians, scholars, etc.)

Participants gather via zoom and watch/listen to the recordings. The presentation of each piece is followed by an informal discussion, moderated by a Deus Ex Musica staff-person and/or clergy/faculty from the hosting institution.  Depending on the number of participants, discussions may be held in breakout rooms. In that case, hosting institutions should select clergy or lay leaders to facilitate each small-group discussion.

Deus Ex Musica will provide discussion materials. DEM founder Delvyn Case may be available to provide an informal online training session for discussion leader(s) in advance of the event.

 REQUIREMENTS

·       Zoom session hosted by the collaborating institution

·      Funding: Deus Ex Musica requests a donation of $150 to support our ministries.

Online events have been hosted by a wide variety of institutions, including:

Churches: The Parish of St Martin in the Fields, London (Anglican), Immanuel Baptist Church. California

Christian educational institutions: Eden Seminary, Trinity Western University, Stonehill College

Religious organizations: The National Conference of the United Church of Christ, The BTS Center, Unite Boston, Crescendo-North America

Academic organizations: Oxford Interfaith Forum

Contact us if you are interested in discussing this unique opportunity.

USING OUR RECORDED MATERIALS FOR IN-PERSON EVENTS

DESCRIPTION

Institutions may use Deus Ex Musica’s audio- and/or video-recordings as part of classes or faith-formation events. For example, a church may hold a special “musical Bible study” session that uses our musical compositions as lenses through which to explore Scripture. Religious or secular educational institutions – high schools, colleges, or seminaries – may similarly use our recordings as part of coursework or class sessions.

Faculty/clergy are free to develop supporting materials as they see fit. DEM staff may be available for a consultation, if desired.

Alternatively, Deus Ex Musica can provide discussion materials to facilitate each session. DEM founder Delvyn Case may be available to provide an informal online training session for discussion leader(s) in advance of the session.

 REQUIREMENTS

·       Institutions or individuals may use our materials freely.

·      Hosting institutions may choose to make an appropriate donation to Deus Ex Musica.

Contact us if you are interested in discussing this unique opportunity.