rcooney.jpg Sacred music composer Rory Cooney is the newly-scheduled performer for the Diocesan Adult Enrichment Conference (DAEC), which will take place Sunday, Nov. 2 through Monday, Nov. 3 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield.

Cooney will give a concert on Sunday evening in place of originally-scheduled performer David Haas, who is unable to attend the conference, said Chris Malmevik, associate director for catechesis. Cooney is sponsored at the event by GIA Publications, Inc.

Cooney has been the director of liturgy and music ministries at St. Anne Catholic Community in Barrington since 1994. His published compositions span a career of songwriting that began nearly 35 years ago, and continues to the present. Cooney attests that he tries to write to the needs of the church and the communities in which he serves.

Early compositions were published by Composers Forum for Catholic Worship and Resource Publications in the 1970s, and his works are represented in Gather and RitualSong, as well as other publications.

Cooney's recording career began in 1984 and all of his recordings have been collaborations with his wife, Theresa Donohoo, and Gary Daigle. His most recent work with GIA has been in the collection This Very Morning and Theresa Donohoo's Family Resemblance.

DAEC registration for all events is now open, said Malmevik. Fees are $50 for the entire conference or $40 for Sunday or Monday during early registration (through Oct. 3) and a full fee (after Oct. 3) of $55 for the entire conference or $45 for Sunday or Monday only. To qualify for a registration discount, 2008 DAEC registration forms must be postmarked by Oct. 3.

For more information on DAEC, including registration information or to obtain a registration packet, contact Chris Malmevik at (217) 698-8500, ext. 178 or e-mail her at . Information is also available on the diocesan Web site, www.dio.org .