We have pleasure in presenting this 20 minute interview with liturgical music publisher, Monica O'Brien, managing director of Willow Publishing, and two contemporary Christian composers and musicians, Gina Ogilvie (who also works with Monica at Willow) and Amanda McKenna, co-publisher of Catholica with her husband, Brian Coyne, and currently also employed as composer-in-residence with the Catholic Education Office and Diocese of Parramatta where she is developing a comprehensive body of liturgical music ddesigned to particularly appeal to young people. Willow will be the publishers for Amanda's work for all territories outside the Diocese of Parramatta. The interview opportunity came about serendipitously the day we published a lead commentary by Dr Andrew Kania looking at the power of music in our spiritual lives.

In the interview Monica and Gina explain the plans of Willow Publishing to release a new compilation of songs of praise, worship and reflection in the As One Voice series which has now been phenomenally successful in Australia for more than 20 years. The new compilation will be released in 2009 and the publishers are calling for submissions from contemporary Christian composers for consideration for inclusion in the new compilation. Willow has recently released a "teaser" CD of 14 tracks from contemporary Australian composers. We discuss, and provide samples of two of the songs in the course of the interview, and also engage in a more general discussion about the changes that have occurred in liturgical music in the last couple of decades since the initial release of As One Voice.

Use the Media Controller immediately below the first image to listen to the conversation. The editor of Catholica, Brian Coyne, is the male voice asking the questions. The interview includes two musical selections from the new CD.

From left: Gina Ogilvie, Monica O'Brien and Amanda McKenna

Covers of earlier editions of "As One Voice"

Left photo: Gina, Amanda and Monica — Right photo: Cover of the current CD The CD is available for purchase online through Catholica. See details below.

NOTE At this stage we are only taking online orders for delivery within Australia

For further information about submitting new material to Willow Publishing for consideration in the new "As One Voice" songbook plesase contact Monica O'Brien or Gina Ogilvie directly at Willow Publishing, U4a/ 3 Kenneth Rd Manly Vale 2093, Telephone (02) 9948 3957 or email: info@willowpublishing.com.au.

[Multi-media Reflection Archive]