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Organ Dedication November 23

The Benedictine Community of Saint Vincent Archabbey will dedicate a new Basilica organ at 3 p.m. Sunday, November 23, in the Archabbey Basilica.

Rev. Cyprian G. Constantine, O.S.B., principal organist for Saint Vincent Archabbey, will play the inaugural concert for the new Basilica organ. The public is invited to attend. Reservations are requested at 724-805-2177.

The Archabbey Basilica organ was built by the craftsmen of John-Paul Buzard Pipe Organ Builders in Champaign, Illinois. The organ was built in two phases, and as two organs: the Apse organ of 11 ranks which is situated in the monastic choir area of the Basilica to accompany the monks at Divine Office; and the Gallery organ of 50 stops and 70 ranks, which accompanies services held in the nave. The organ case harmonizes well with the other architectural features of the Basilica; the console and mechanical components of the organ are built of the highest quality hardwoods and the most durable materials impervious to heat and humidity. The 3,000-plus pipes have been constructed from extra-thick, high quality organ pipe metal and the highest-quality clear hardwoods. The handsome façade pipes of the 16-foot Double Diapason are made from pure polished tin. A single console, situated in the Basilica sanctuary, allows the organist to play each organ separately or both organs simultaneously. Engineered for a 100-year life span, the Archabbey organs will lead worship services in the Basilica with a solid, round, full tone.

Father Cyprian is a native of Boulder, Colorado, where he received his undergraduate education in violin and organ at the University of Colorado. Professed as a Benedictine monk in 1972, he is a member of Saint Vincent Archabbey and a faculty member of Saint Vincent College and Saint Vincent Seminary. Father Cyprian received his Master of Divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 1976 and was ordained a priest in 1977. He then pursued graduate studies in music, receiving the Master of Music degree in organ and church music from Northwestern University (1979) and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in organ from the University of Colorado (1992).

In addition to having served for many years as principal organist and choirmaster for the monastic community of Saint Vincent Archabbey and Director of the Saint Vincent Camerata, Father Cyprian also received appointments as Director of Music for Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg, as organist for the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver, Colorado, and as Director of Liturgy for the Archdiocese of Denver.

Currently, Father Cyprian is an Assistant Professor of Fine Arts at Saint Vincent College, where he serves as Chair of the Music Department and continues to give organ instruction. A past Academic Dean of Saint Vincent Seminary, he now serves the seminary as Director of Liturgical Formation, teaches courses in music and liturgy, and directs the Schola Cantorum. He also serves the Archabbey as principal organist and is a member of the Novitiate faculty. Father Cyprian has pursued advanced liturgical studies at the Liturgical Institute at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake, Mundelein, Illinois.