Thanks! This is exactly what I have meant. No reason not to have an honest award.

Isn't church music supposed to be a non-competitive sport? I don't know many musicians who go to church for the accolades.

I only do church music for the money, fame, accolades, and of course, the groupies.

Ehhh if every one picks top 1 or 3 or 6 faves, we can pick the most commons.

Let me have a try, though I admit I'm listing people with whom I am at least acquainted.
I am drawn to artistry and devotion, and appreciate most the minds that exhibit the ability to be at once meticulous and passionate.

Three hours go by...................


Ok, I tried and I am unable to offer anything. Not trying to go Camus on you, just don't want to be public about those who inspire me. Not ready to do that.

And Melo- you amaze me with your choice. You're going to have to pray real hard that I might live up to that! I pray, too, but my heart is not as tender and so I hope to rely on your good word for me. :)

Melo mentions the key problem. Even if we attend another musician's Mass, it's hard to know quite how that Mass came about. In order to really know a musician's strengths, you have to see them in rehearsal. Mary Ann runs rehearsal like a polyphony Master class. Everyone who attends improves, every time.

I'm suddenly very lonely here in MA...

Ditto here in western WI.

But it is much closer to AZ.

Don't forget Rudy de Vos

Maybe this is a cultural thing, but it seems odd to talk about a single favorite, when the candidates are people you know personally. I remember PhatFlute observing that "favorite child" is not an idea that Americans want to talk about; perhaps it is the same for "favorite colleague".

Well more people must vote before we finish but I will count your answers! Thank you.

Winner so far: V. Chipotle, favorite composition: Burrito Bursting for choirs

The Awful House is number 1? It got that name in my circle years ago during a conference where a few of us went there for breakfast one day.

The Backsteak Outhouse is a little pricey for some, sometimes also known as the Backhouse Stakeout.

The Alive or Dead But Not Cooked Garden once served my wife a chicken dish (Kiev?) that was still frozen solid. From then on, I've sought out olives elsewhere.

I attribute it to my Scottish ancestors, but I prefer money in my pocket to money in the pocket of some restaurant. I will buy their stocks, if they are profitable, but don't actually patronize them except on rare occasions.

ADAM IS COMPLETELY WRONG AND MUST BE BANNED.

And they serve grits.
Tag, go get her Little Joe!

melted American cheese on it.

Yeah, baby! But I would like to note there is no such thing as "American cheese" (except in some hymnals!) It is properly known as "Artificial cheese product." And I'd wager some scientist somewhere says s/he has the evidence it is a cancer preventative, like chocolate and red wine.

I have to say Pomerium (They're at Notre Dame, and I know that there is much argument to be made about the "Catholicness" of ND)but I love the exquisite tuning. Way too often I think we're enamoured with groups that just don't tune well.
http://www.metmuseum.org/metmedia/video/concerts/pomerium
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pomerium/music-for-tudor-queens
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-25R_SaDao&list=PL2052F9A267942060

Whataburger uber alles.

But serious(ly), most of us are not voting and don't intend to do so.

Phil, with respect, I will try for my own part to explain why the mere notion of "Best Catholic Musician" is a flag that cannot and will not be raised here, so you know I care about your well intended purposes.
I happen to think that Broadway diva (in the truest sense) Audra McDonald possesses the most beautiful voice in the world. Let's say, for the purposes of illustration only, that she was baptized "Catholic (she was and is not.)" She attends Mass occasionally, doesn't receive Communion, but lives an exemplary life otherwise. She has a daughter from a previous civil marriage, loves her second husband thoroughly and helps raise her stepsons with great family values. She volunteers at benefits many times every year, including those which support causes which are antithetical to Church principles. Other than all that, she remains the most talented Catholic on the planet in my estimation. Do I vote for her simply based upon what answer she fills on a form that asks "Religion_____________"?
Secondly, let's pretend we can have an "American Idol" contest for practicising Catholic Liturgical musicians. Whomever "wins" is not an authentic validation. There's always somewhere, someone who is more talented, more dedicated, more whatever. We just don't know of that person, where that person lives and ministers.
If you really require a name, seriously, then think of the Holy Trinity. He (and his Mother) are at once singer and song. He is Creator and creation. He is artist and art.
So, if we could abandon ship on this cruise of wist, that would be of great comfort to me personally. I only speak for myself.

Of course you do, of course it is.

(Oh, Phat, I don't think melo was being sassy there. Sometimes the "tone" of an expression isn't clear when we only have written words to go by.)

Am I the only person who didn't take Phil seriously from the start?

I thought Phat was dead serious; favorite is one thing - - best is just impossible.

Ok ok ok well I did read it like sass. But must be my mistake. I do read everything to my ability, and I appreciate all honest in put of yours. I insure you my thoughts were serious, although I only teased with my most reasont suggestion of the idea.
Ph