Back to Life

Posted on Nov 30, 2015 in Updates

Back to Life

This post’s a bit lengthy, but if you’re really into it, subscribe to my newsletter. I get much more personal in those.

Residency Ending

All good things must come to an end. We will be finishing out almost 3 years in residence at Pearl Wine Co. this month. You only have one more chance to hear us on December 18.

I cannot express what a joy it has been to explore my music there and grow as a musician. Many thanks to the owner, Leora, for such an incredible run!

Project Overcome Fear

Remember my 2015 “Project Overcome Fear” video series on my Facebook page?

A few people asked me why I opted for Facebook over YouTube. YouTube now claims perpetual ownership of any content uploaded, so no.

Plus, this is Project Overcome Fear, not Project Exhibitionist. If you wanna see it, like my page. Likers gonna like.

I’m Finally Recording!

Thanks to all of you who contributed to my campaign to raise money for my album. Because I did not reach the minimum amount I needed for it to be worth offering the perks (daughter of an accountant), I took a few months to recalibrate.

In that process, the song list and theme changed to be more honest with the here and now. I’ve decided to separate this album from Convert Augustine. A lot has happened in one year, and I think now is the time to express it without tagging on to a much older story. We will begin December 18th!

Of course, if any of you who offered to help before still want to contribute financially, I won’t turn it down… 😉

Liturgical Psalm Project

In June of 2014, I gave myself a compositional and devotional challenge: to musically set every Responsorial Psalm on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation for the entire 3-year Catholic liturgical cycle.This comes out to about 65 settings a year, so I figured I could use it as a means of personal prayer 1-2 times a week. I started mid-way through Year A, and I’m so amazed to say I just finished the entirety of Year B!

So into Advent of Year C and continuing the fruitful exercise. There’s something to be said for discipline on weeks I feel I have nothing, only to listen back a month later with understanding that I couldn’t hear it at the time, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t there.

New Orleans Vocal Arts VOCE

One of the most surreal and ecstatic moments of this year was when I was accepted into the small ensemble of VOCE, a subset of the New Orleans Vocal Arts Chorale. As Loyola Artists in Residence, NOVA Chorale is under the direction of conductor, Dr. Meg Frazier, whom every choral singer and conductor I’ve met aspires to be.

We will have a few concerts next year, including one that is sure to lift the spirits in this horrible time of world and national conflict, entitled Pace, or “peace/respect.”

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2014 (P)recap

Posted on Dec 8, 2014 in Media, Updates

2014 (P)recap

Thank you for such a wonderful year! I must say I am quite looking forward to getting serious this Advent season as I perform/compose more contemplative and sacred music. You can get the minute information on all of the performances (such as venue, date, time) on the Upcoming Events page.

Lessons and CarolsJesuit Church Image

Sunday December 14th, at 3pm, come out to the Jesuit Church for Lessons and Carols. This is a traditional FREE event of the season (open to all), in which seasonal liturgical readings are matched to musical selections.

Christmas Midnight Mass

I am once again honored to have one of my compositions performed at Christmas Midnight mass at the New Orleans Jesuit Church. I will also be singing with the choir. The music begins at 11:30pm on the 24th and goes into the wee hours once we can finally legitimately say, “Merry Christmas!”

NOVA: Luceat

One of the most significant things to happen to me this year was being accepted into New Orleans Vocal Arts Chorale (or NOVA). This is an unsurpassed group of singers who would shame any musician in this city just being in their presence. My first concert with them is Sunday, December 21st, at 7:30pm, at Holy Name Church at Loyola University. I cannot wait to experience this. It will be unlike anything you have witnessed before. The live experience is inexplicable, but listen to a bit here.

Old U.S. Mint Recap

My 6-piece ensemble’s taping at the Old U.S. Mint in November was such a success. Many thanks to those of you who came out! Your presence made all the difference. Here’s a little taste of the result.

Sarah Gromko Trio Every Friday

Of course, my jazz trio still plays every Friday from 8-10pm at Pearl Wine Co. Catch us in the last weeks of the year as we add more holiday tunes. You will always be able to hear my originals in the 2nd set, after we warm you up with some fun arrangements of jazz standards in the 1st. Remember, Christmas doesn’t START until December 25th, and continues to 12th Night, so don’t expect me to cut out the sacred stuff on the 26th… 😉

Hopefully I’ll see you before Christmas is through!

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