A pianist from Barry University in Miami Shores is preparing for a performance of a lifetime.
Dr. Alan Mason, Associate Professor of Music, has the coveted honor of playing in front of Pope Benedict XVI in Vatican City on November 16th. Only two pianists, one from New York and Dr. Mason, will play Jewish music at the conference, which also features 20 Cantors from North America.
"I feel honored", said Dr. Mason. "I feel delighted. This is a rare opportunity for the finest of sacred Jewish music to be heard by an audience who might never have this chance in their lifetimes."
Last year, Dr. Mason impressed the cantors at their national convention in Memphis. These singers who sing sacred Jewish music during worship in synagogues, were so impressed they invited Mason to accompany them in Vatican City.
It's not the first honor for this music teacher. In December of 2007, Dr. Mason was invited to perform for President George W. Bush.
"I played for him in the East Room of the White House," said Mason. "It was a thrill, it was great."
The concert, which is part of the American Conference of Cantors, will be filmed and included as part of a documentary titled "Across the Holy Lands." It is being held at the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri.
The theme for this year's conference will be strengthening relations between Jews and Catholics.
