{"id":9268,"date":"2012-12-03T11:24:17","date_gmt":"2012-12-03T16:24:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/kathyschiffer\/?p=9268"},"modified":"2016-09-30T15:58:30","modified_gmt":"2016-09-30T20:58:30","slug":"swords-and-saxophones-the-music-of-the-pontifical-swiss-guard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/kathyschiffer\/2012\/12\/swords-and-saxophones-the-music-of-the-pontifical-swiss-guard\/","title":{"rendered":"Swords and Saxophones: The Music of the Pontifical Swiss Guard"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

\"\"<\/a>Since the 14th<\/sup> century, the Pontifical Swiss Guards have protected the Pope<\/strong> and have stood guard at the boundaries of the Vatican City State.\u00a0 In their boldly striped uniforms (reportedly designed by Michelangelo), their ceremonial halberds at their sides, they are a colorful symbol of the Vatican.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve seen the Swiss Guards standing at attention<\/strong> beside the Vatican\u2019s Petriano entrance and at the great bronze doors of the Apostolic Palace.\u00a0 I know of their respect and deep affection for the Pope and of their strict military training.<\/p>\n

But I\u2019ve never, until now, known of their second ceremonial function:\u00a0<\/strong> The Guard maintains an excellent musical corps, and they play at official Vatican events.<\/p>\n

The Swiss Guards kicked off the 2012 Advent season with a concert of popular Advent and Christmas songs.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

During the 2011 Christmas season, the band performed in the church of Santa Maria della Piet\u00e0 in the Campo Santo Teutonico, the burial ground inside the walls of the Vatican.\u00a0 The concert featured arrangements for harp and brass band of traditional Advent and holiday songs from Germany, France, the UK, Ecuador, Paraguay and the US and was intended as a benefit action for charity projects in Switzerland and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

And in 2012, something new:\u00a0<\/strong> For the first time in 33 years, the Pope\u2019s security force has produced an album.\u00a0 The soldiers joined with Swiss harpist Daniele Lorenz to produce their first-ever CD, \u201cChristmas with the Pontifical Swiss Guard.\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0The album has international appeal:\u00a0 It features\u00a018 Christmas songs, including Swiss, Latin American and Italian carols.<\/p>\n

And how does a band achieve true excellence?\u00a0 Practice, practice, practice!<\/strong>\u00a0 Here the bodyguards for the Pope demonstrate their musical proficiency in the courtyard at the Apostolic Palace.
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