Here he is! The one and only, Wilson! Most of the children's choirs that I have directed over the years are pretty familiar with this little guy! Wilson shows the kids how to open your mouth when you sing. Generally, we have a two-finger rule: if you can't put two fingers in your mouth it isn't open wide enough. Wilson helps to demonstrate that. Wilson has been taking a break lately, but promises to be there for the choir festival. In fact, Wilson claims that he will be bringing several family and friends to the event!!! You won't want to miss it! Some of Wilson's people might just get to go home with some of the children in attendance at the choir festival!!! Yeah, it's a choir festival to celebrate my 30 years in the music ministry. But it's also an event for everyone to come together, to make music together, to sing and give thanks and praise together. 80% of people in who sing in choirs as adults sang in a choir as a child. And with this event I also hope to encourage the children to make a joyful noise. . . . . .even if it means that I gotta get crafty with a few tennis balls. . . .
So, do come on down and do, please, do bring the children.
Saturday, Oct. 27th.
The event starts at noon and will take place
at St. Andre Bessette Parish (formally, St. Francis Xavier). 4250 W. Jefferson
Ecorse, MI 48192
There will be no charge for this event but a freewill offering will be accepted to help defray the cost of hosting this event.
And yet another photo taken in Mexico City with El Cántico de la Mujer Latina. I guess the reason I'm posting so many Mexico City pics is because I'll be traveling to Mexico in a couple of weeks and will be visiting this place in particular. This photo was taken on the grounds of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
I visit the Basilica of Our Lady nearly ever year and this year's visit will include prayers for my dear friend, Janie. She is the 2nd from the right in black dress. Janie entered eternal life earlier this year. The Choir Festival in October will also remember Janie, and all choir members who have gone on to heaven, in a special way. If you know a choir member who has died you may wish to add their name to our "In Memory" tab. Anyhow, the group in this photo, El Cántico de la Mujer Latina, will be among those performing at the Choir Festival.
Do join us for an afternoon of music, praise, fun and fellowship!!!
Saturday, Oct. 27th.
The event starts at noon and will take place
at St. Andre Bessette Parish (formally, St. Francis Xavier). 4250 W. Jefferson
Ecorse, MI 48192
There will be no charge for this event but a freewill offering will be accepted to help defray the cost of hosting this event.
Here's another photo of the women's choir, El Cántico de la Mujer Latina. This photo was taken just outside of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. We sang for the mass there that day, August 14, 2002. This photo was taken by a Basilica Photographer. This women's choir will be among many that will be performing at the Choir Festival.
Do join us for an afternoon of music, praise, fun and fellowship!!!
Saturday, Oct. 27th.
The event starts at noon and will take place
at St. Andre Bessette Parish (formally, St. Francis Xavier). 4250 W. Jefferson Ecorse, MI 48192
There will be no charge for this event but a freewill offering will be accepted to help defray the cost of hosting this event.
This photo represents one of the highlights of my life as a pastoral musician. This photo was taken in the music area of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. The women's choir I co-direct with my friend, Marcy, was invited to sing for a mass on the Feast of the Assumption. This photo was taken by a Basilica Photographer on August 15, 2002 I visit Mexico nearly every year and will be returning to visit Her at the Basilica later on this very month. My prayers this year will include prayers of thanksgiving for a wonderful ministry, and prayers for Janie (3rd from the left in the 2nd row) who has gone on to eternal life. This women's choir, El Cántico de la Mujer Latina, was originally formed for a one-time event for the National Association of Pastoral Musicians. I received a phone call from Fr. Vigil Funk late summer or early fall of 1997, who asked, "Rubi, NPM is coming to Grand Rapids. Can you do something Hispanic?" I told him I would think about it and call him back.
I spoke with my lady friends from the choir. And then I returned a call to Fr. Virgil and told him that I wanted to do an afternoon of praise using music, poetry, and theology all written by and performed by Latinas. The group received one of the highest evaluations at the NPM held in July of 1998, as well as invitations to North Park University in Chicago; to the Southwest Liturgical Conference in Albuquerque; to U of D/Mercy in Detroit. . . . . and we've been receiving invitations to sing for women's retreats, conferences, concerts, religious professions and countless other events ever since!!!! OK! This blog entry has been longer than some of the others in this "30 years in Music" blog. But I am particularly proud of the work this group of women have done and I am honored that they have remained close friends companions on the faith journey.
Although our membership has changed somewhat over the years, you'll get to meet them all. "Where?" you ask. . .
At the Choir Festival where I will be celebrating 30 Years In The Music Ministry!!!
Saturday, Oct. 27th.
The event starts at noon and will take place
at St. Andre Bessette Parish (formally, St. Francis Xavier). 4250 W. Jefferson Ecorse, MI 48192
There will be no charge for this event but a freewill offering will be accepted to help defray the cost of hosting this event.
Here we have another video of the St. Gabriel's Children Choir. This video was taken at their concern of 2010, I believe, by a child who is a friend of one of the kids in the choir! (that's why a little shaky!) Here they sing a song dedicated to the memory of Cesar Chavez. The text to this song can be found here. "¡Si se puede! You Can Do It!" was composed by Jim Rule. Mr. Jim Rule is an avid composer of children's music. You can find his CDs and sheet music at http://JimRule.com You can find the "Si Se Puede" song on his "Let It Shine" collection.
The Children's Choir will be peforming 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).
There will be no charge for this event but a freewill offering will be accepted to help defray the cost of hosting this event.
In this video we have the Children's Choir from St. Gabriel Parish in Detroit singing, "El Fuego Cae, Cae," a song to the Holy Spirit. This video was taken at their concert in 2010. This choir has changed somewhat over the years, but has remained strong. The St. Gabriel Children's Choir is one of many groups that will be performing 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).
There will be no charge for this event but a freewill offering will be accepted to help defray the cost of hosting this event.
This photo was taken in 2010 at Faithfest. In this pic we see members a few members of Cantico as well as a few members of St. Gabriel's Children's Choir. That year, both groups performed at the Faithfest event, just behind those doors to the Jerusalem Cafe Both groups will performing 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).
There will be no charge for this event but a freewill offering will be accepted to help defray the cost of hosting this event.
