Sail The Soul by Ken and Elizabeth Farnum

Finally, there are songs of Blessing, Renewal, Triumph and Resurrection, and songs of the Holy Eucharist ("In the Breaking of the Bread", "We Will Rise Again", "We Are The Reason", "Halelujah! Pelo tsa rona"), closing with the Celtic-flavored title track, "Sail The Soul". This nauticalthemed title serves as a perfect expression of Elizabeth and Ken's love of nature, water, and their beloved City Island community (Bronx, N.Y.), which they have happily called "home" since 1988.

KEN FARNUM began his first church job during his college years. Taught on the piano by both mother and grandmother, he was initiated on the organ by his mom, Judith Farnum, in 1976, taking her position at Our Savior's (R.C.) in The Bronx. Ken accompanied dozens of popular local groups and singers during his time at Fordham Preparatory and Fordham University for various events, both secular and sacred. Almost a dozen years later he fortuitously met his wife-to-be, Elizabeth Henreckson, while music directing a Cole Porter revue. Mr. Farnum spends most of his professional time tuning and repairing pianos for hundreds of customers and prestigious institutions. He also plays for over a dozen local churches and schools. Ken loves to compose and arrange; he is founder, arranger and Music Director for GIZMO, an electro-classical synth-keyboard trio based at St. Mary, Star of the Sea on City Island, N.Y., where he is organist and music director. When he finds some extra time, he runs a New York area foosball (tablesoccer) tournament association named NYMetroFoosball.i8.com and runs around with his wife, Elizabeth, and their 15.8 lb. orange tabby, Spencer Guanzaun Sysnauwski.

Like her husband Ken, ELIZABETH FARNUM acquired her first church position in college, where she studied musical theatre at The Hartt School, graduating with honors. It was during this time, while working for many diverse religious faiths (her first church positon required her walking three miles back and forth through all types of weather!), that she developed a groundwork for a deeper understanding and interpretation of religous song texts. Upon graduation from school, she embarked upon a career in musical theatre, which eventually took her to New York City in November of 1986 (coincidentally on the birthday of her future husband, Ken!). While performing as a musical theatre artist, including a five-month engagement aboard the SS Rotterdam and a run on Broadway in Riverdance - The Show, Ms. Farnum also became one of the most sought-after contemporary music specialists in New York; her performances of both modern and early music have taken her throughout the U.S., Europe, and Japan. She has collaborated with many of today's prominent composers, and three of her recordings have been nominated for Grammys. During her busy concert career, she has continued her relationship with the church, singing with the best and most famous of choral groups in New York, including the choirs of St. Bartholomew's, St. Ignatius Loyola, Church of the Ascension, Cathedral of St. John The Divine, and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Ms. Farnum serves as leader of song in many churches throughout the New York tri-state area, often accompanied by her husband, Ken. Elizabeth currently serves as full-time cantor at Our Lady of Grace, where, coincidentally, her husband went to grammar school!

Since we met through our love of music and are always inspired by these pieces when we work together as a liturgical team, we hope our selection of the popular hymns and songs on this CD will serve to lift, inspire, and sail the soul.

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