Here we are. . . . . .friends making music together. . . Friends from Ste. Anne de Detroit. . . Friends from St. Gabriel. . . friends from Cantico de la Mujer Latina. . . .all making music together for a special mass with the visiting pilgrim statue of the Virgin of Zapopan. I remember this as an extra special event. We all sang and made music together at Detroit's Historic Ste. Anne, where yours truly once served as music director. Do join the folks in the photo above as well as many others at the Choir Fest in October. . . .and bring your maracas and tambourines!!!
Hope to see you there:
Saturday, Oct. 27th.
The event starts at noon and will take place at St. Andre Bessette Parish (formally, St. Francis Xavier).
This photo is of the Charistmatic Music Ministry of St. Elizabeth Parish of Wyandotte. Neal, Jim, Larry, Amber. . . I'll post more photos later, where you'll see the rhythm section: Clifford and Mike. This photo was taken at the parish picnic of 2008. Mass was held in the park, with food and fun afterwards. Sadly, St. Elizabeth Parish closed her doors for good in June of this year, merging with St. Joseph Parish in Wyandotte. But the music by this group was always awesome, always energetic, always inspiring. . . .and at least one of the folks in this photo is going to be a soloist at the Choir Festival! Hope to see you there:
Saturday, Oct. 27th.
The event starts at noon and will take place at St. Andre Bessette Parish (formally, St. Francis Xavier).
“The Lord is Risen to Life. The Lord is Risen to life. . .”
I’ve been singing this song a lot these past few days. It’s an older song and I don’t even remember who wrote it. I couldn’t even remember all of the verses, so I looked it up on youtube hoping I would find it. And sure enough, I did!
But this song is just on my mind. . . .
Anyone who knows me well knows that I often cite a statistic. I remember the statistic very well, though I can’t remember who said it or where it came from, who did the study to get said info.
Once upon a time, a very long time ago, I was a pastoral musician newbie. My pastor at the time sent me to an NPM conference (National Association of Pastoral Musicians). One of the speakers at that event gave the following statistic: “Eighty percent of people who sing in choirs as adults sang in a choir as a child.”
I was floored. That lone little statement was probably the only real, tangible thing I took home from that conference and I can’t even remember who said it. Since then, I have tried to make working with children a top priority.
But what does this have to do with the song “The Lord Is Risen to Life???”
I am living proof of that statistic. I sang in the choir, the children’s choir more specifically, at St. Francis Xavier Parish. When I was in the sixth grade, the music director at the time even let me play the organ. What song did I play? “The Lord is Risen to life. The Lord is Risen to life. The Lord has conquered sin and death. .. .”
And so, I'm organizing a choir festival to celebrate my 30 years in the music ministry. But the fact of the matter is, the seed was planted many years before that, many years before I officially became a pastoral musician, choir director, parish music director.
And, if I am perfectly honest with myself, the seed was planted long before that sixth grader sat behind the organ. You see, in order to be able to sit behind that organ numerous music lessons had to take place. Yeah, we never know when that little seed is being planted.
“Eighty percent of people who sing in choirs as adults sang in a choir as a child.”
.. .and one of those children might just end up as your parish music director!
I don't know the people in this video. I just looked it up on youtube. But, nonetheless, this is the actual song a sixth grader got to play on the church organ a very long time ago!!!
This photo is a bit more recent. This is the fabulous children's choir of St. Gabriel Parish in Detroit. In this photo the children are performing for the grand opening of Garage Cultural, a brand new center of Music and Visual Arts located in the City of Detroit. These children will be among the groups performing at the Choir Festival on Saturday, Oct. 27th. The program begins at noon! Hope to see you there! The event will take place at St. Andre Bessette (formally, St. Francis Xavier) in the City of Ecorse in the Parish Center Building.
Got Maracas? Got a pair of Claves? Bring them with you! This event isn't just a concert. This is for everyone to get involved and make music!
If you're too shy to play your maracas bring them with you anyway! Surely there will be children present who won't be so afraid to make a joyful noise!
And the reason (as if there really needs to be reason to make music together!) is because I am celebrating 30 years in the music ministry. And I just wanted to create an event where we can all have fun together.
Be sure to check this blog often for the most recent updates, and to see who the choirs and soloists will be for this event!
Yes, I'm celebrating 30 years in the music ministry. But that certainly wouldn't be if it weren't for some great people along the way. . . . . and a lot of them were children!
This photo was taken during the procession of the mass in Honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. These are some of the children of St. Alfred Parish in Taylor. The year was 2007. St. Alfred is one of the many parishes where I have had the honor of serving as both musician and choir director for the Spanish mass. And so this is a special invitation to all of the members of St. Alfred's to come on down to the Choir Festival, which will be held on Saturday, Oct,. 27th and St. Andre Bessette Parish in Ecorse.
I most especially invite the children. If you have a tambourine or a pair of maracas bring them with you. Let the children use them and participate as the Spirit moves them to! This isn't just a concert. It's a hands on get-involved event for everyone! Do join us!
An old photo I found in my piles and piles of stuff. I don't know what year this was. If anyone knows or remembers, please comment below and let me know.
These children are all grown up now. A few of them are my facebook friends! One is now a professional singer. Two of these children are my own sons.
. . .and take a good close look. The child in front wearing white shirt and tie was not a member of the children's choir. I remember this clearly. He saw all of the children lining up getting ready to sing and just joined the crowd. Notice the children all have green folders. He is holding a coloring book, and it's upside down!!! Are you in this photo? What do you remember about this event? Why not come on down and share your memories of the music making?!?!? Do come join us as we celebrate 30 years in the music ministry! Saturday, Oct. 27th starting at noon. The place? St. Andre Bessette(formally, St. Francis Xavier) in the city of Ecorse. FYI, the choirs and music makers for this event will be performing from the exact same place in the exact same building as in this photo!! . . .sharing old memories while making new ones!!!
This photo was taken at St. Francis Xavier and the writing on the back states: "Advent by Candlelight 1994." Two of the people in this photo have gone home to The Lord. One of the people in this photo is now a professional singer with Orquesta La Inspiracion. One of the people in this photo, I hear tell, is going to be a soloist at the Choir Fest, which is being held on Saturday, Oct. 27th at noon at St. Andre Bessette Parish in Ecorse. Hope to see you all there!!
Are you in this photo? What do you remember about this event? Do you attend every year? What do you remember about performing for Advent by Candlelight? Do come and join us and share your memories while creating new ones!!
. . . oh, I'm the photo, too!!! . . there I am, 2nd from the left, green sweater and black jacket and skirt. ..
. . and you know, I still use the zarape over the shoulder thingy. . . . . the children's choir I currently direct uses them. . . . . old habits die hard!!!
Welcome! Welcome to this blog! With this blog I hope to announce and include everything about my Celebrating 30 Years in Music Ministry!
I have been involved in a number of different parishes in the Archdiocese of Detroit over the years.
It is my hope to celebrate this in a grand style "How?" you may ask. . . . . .. with a Music Festival, which is set for Saturday, Oct 27, 2012. The event is to begin at noon. The location: St. Andre Bessette Parish Center in Ecorse.
More information to come as the days progress.
Please stop by this blog often. I plan to post photos, and lots of them! You might just see your smiling face!
Do join us on Oct. 27.
And do check back here to get updates as they become available.
God Bless The Music Ministry of The Archdiocese of Detroit!!!
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