Tryin’ to Get Ready CD

Drawing upon musical styles from around the world, Janèt Sullivan Whitaker has created an Advent collection that's as colorful and eclectic as the Church itself.

Born out of her work helping pastoral musicians prepare for this busy and spiritually significant season, the music has universal application and appeal, reaching beyond Advent into Ordinary Time. As Janèt explains, "Remaining attentive to the demands of our faith means being Advent people all year long."

Most of the songs are perfectly suited for the liturgy, while others make excellent pieces for prayer services, retreats and concerts. No two of them sound alike. Renaissance-style instrumentals and bluegrass-Celtic hymns follow Gregorian chants and full-choir, full-throttle gospel numbers, surprising and delighting the listener at every turn.

"Maranatha, Come, Lord Jesus" is a captivating setting of the "O" Antiphons employing Jewish modes and melodic elements. The collection's anchor, though, is "Day of Peace," an emotionally powerful ballad and one of her best songs to date. Arranged for piano, voice and recorder, it doesn't allow the listener—or singer—to remain passive in their longing for peace but encourages all to be peace-makers, to "work and pray" for the peace and justice our world so desperately needs.

Adding much-needed musical color to the Advent repertoire, Tryin' to Get Ready firmly establishes Janèt as one of the most gifted liturgical composers in the world today.