Czech Heritage Mass (Mass for Spillville) was commissioned by the Czech Heritage Partnership for the 150th Anniversary of St. Wenceslaus Church in Spillville, Iowa in 2010.  The music is intended for cantor, congregation and organ with optional instruments.  There are two versions:  Catholic (A) and Protestant (B).  The Mass has been performed in several locations throughout the USA.

The music is influenced by numerous Czech sources, most notably, Boze, pred tvou velebnosti (Holy God, We Bow Before You), which Dvořák played in Spillville in 1893 on the church’s 1876 Pfeffer Organ.  When Dvorak played, sources say he pulled out all of the stops and "it sounded like thunder."

The purchase price includes the full score, all choral and instrumental parts, a performance license, permission to produce your own bulletins/programs, and extra CDs for your choir.

Gathering Hymn A

Gathering Hymn B

Lord, Have Mercy (Kyrie) A

Gracious God (Kyrie) B

Gloria A

Gloria B

Psalm 127 A

Psalm (Dixon) B

Gospel Acclamation A

Credo B (English, Latin or Czech)

Intercessory prayers A

Offertory Hymn A

Offertory Hymn B

Offertory Anthem

Holy, Holy, Holy (Sanctus) A

Holy, Holy, Holy (Sanctus) B

Memorial Acclamation A

Great Amen A

The Lord's Prayer (various settings)

Lamb of God (Agnus Dei) A

Lamb of God (Agnus Dei) B

Communion:  Humbly We Come to Your Presence

Communion:  We Come in Joy to Share the Feast

Communion:  There is Bread Enough for All Who Gather

Post-Communion:  O Holy Wenceslaus

Processional Hymn:  Send Us Forth to Seek and Serve You

Processional Hymn:  Sing, Dance and Celebrate!

Americana (5.45 minutes)

Jammin’ with the Band (7.15 minutes)

Jubilee! (6.30 minutes)

Total timing:  ca. 20 minutes

Americana by Joan DeVee Dixon is a suite for concert band, featuring two soloists, piano four-hands.  The work was composed for the Prague Castle Guard / Czech Police Band (Hudba Hradní Stráže a Policie České Republiky), Col. Vaclav Blahunek, Ph.D., Director and Chief Conductor.  It will receive its world premiere at the American Spring Festival in Prague on May 6, 2014, with pianists Alice Fiedlerova and Joan DeVee Dixon.  The first movement begins with a lyrical melody which, when combined with a second tune, gradually transforms into an American hoedown.  The piece represents the thousands of European settlers who arrived in New York with little or nothing, but who worked hard to develop a successful, new life in America.  The second movement, Jammin' with the Band, is a big band, jazz, swing tune (Jammin' is American slang for a "Jam Session" in which a group of musicians get together to improvise).  The title is a play on words, since concert bands do not typically include a piano.  Thus, the two piano soloists are Jammin' with the Prague Castle Band.  The third movement, Jubilee! is based on a 19th century gospel song by Robert Lowry entitled, Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.  The hymn is typical of an American revival or camp meeting song.  Dr. Dixon has added glissandos, a piano cadenza, and a new bridge which brings the suite to a rousing finale.  Jubilee is Dr. Dixon’s home congregation—Zion Lutheran Church, “Jubilee”, La Porte City, Iowa.  Thus, the title of this movement is more than just symbolic.  All three movements are representative of everyday music-making in America.

Prayer by Joan DeVee Dixon is a single movement for concert band with pipe organ.  The work was composed for the Prague Castle Guard / Czech Police Band (Hudba Hradní Stráže a Policie České Republiky), Col. Vaclav Blahunek, Ph.D., Director and Chief Conductor.  It will receive its world premiere on the Feast Day of St. Wenceslaus in Prague on the eve of September 28, 2014.  The piece includes the 12th century chorale Svatý Václave (St. Wenceslaus).

Four shofars begin Prayer with the traditional, Jewish ritual sounds of: 1. T’kiyah, 2. Sh’varim, 3. T’ru’ah, and 4. T’kiyah G’dolah.  The shofar is an ancient, Biblical instrument made from Kudu antelope horns that is typically played on major festival days.  In Prayer, the shofars begin by sounding from the East, West, North and South.  The first section of Prayer features the brass; the middle section features the woodwinds.  The themes used by the composer represent a real prayer.  The fortissimo theme is, “O, Hear Us!”