He Came Down. Now on iTunes

The St. Mel Music Ministry's debut Christmas album, He Came Down is now available on iTunes. We thank all those who continue to support our music ministry at St. Mel--Priests, Staff, Faculty, and the many volunteers and parishioners who love us and encourage us. This Christmas album is for all of YOU!

He Came Down - St. Mel Music Ministry

Francesco's Notes on the Christmas CD

So much goes into preparing for the release of a CD. In this interview, Francesco shares with us the thinking behind his choices for our debut Christmas album, He Came Down.

St. Mel's Debut Christmas CD

To order your copy of St. Mel's debut Christmas album, click on the Buy Now button on the right.

For the first time in more than 15 years, St. Mel has produced a new CD! Entitled He Came Down, the limited edition CD features Christmas songs from all over the world, including the title track and Cameroon classic, He Came Down. Other favorites include Go, Tell it on the Mountain, Joy to the World and the medieval Christmas carol, Personent Hodie.  Carol of the Bells features St. Mel’s handbell choir, one of the few in the San Fernando Valley. The CD will also feature performances by the Kantorei Choir, the Cherub Choir and the children's bell choirs.

Proceeds from the sales of the CD will go toward replacing the current choir risers with portable risers that have guard rails to ensure the comfort and safety of our parish and children's choirs. The portable choir risers will also allow the parish choir to perform in any venue and extend the reach of our ministry.

To celebrate the release of the CD, there will be a concert at the church Dec. 12 at 7:30 PM.  Everyone is invited and admission is FREE!

Recording a CD

It wasn't easy. Four nights of recordings that followed months of rehearsals. Rehearsing Christmas music at the end of summer. Getting into the Christmas spirit before Thanksgiving.

Here's a preview of one track.

Oktoberfest

In München steht ein Hofbräuhaus:
Eins, zwei, g'suffa . . .
Da läuft so manches Fäßchen aus:
Eins, zwei, g'suffa . . .
Da hat so manche braver Mann:
Eins, zwei, g'suffa . . .

The words were a little difficult but everyone could sing Eins, zwei, g'suffa!

A Word from our Director

A Message from Francesco Alleruzzo, Music Ministry Director

"Like a good play or musical, we all have roles to play in the mass. But the liturgy (mass) is not simply a re-enactment, but a re-actualization of the most important event in our Catholic history - the Last Supper, Paschal Meal, Eucharist, Mass, Liturgy, Holy Sacrifice, Thanksgiving, communal celebration of the Body of Christ -- the greatest drama of all time. Yes, everyone has a role or part to play. The most important one is the ROLE OF THE ASSEMBLY. Yes, the part of the people. After the Second Vatican Council, our church leaders said that the role of the assembly (people) is to be recognized, encouraged and celebrated. All of the other roles (ministries) are there to inspire, enlighten, support, encourage and serve the "body of Christ" (people).

As Director of Music Ministry, my job is to SUPPORT and EMPOWER all of our cantors, choirs and instrumentalists to sing and play their best, keeping their focus on the liturgy. It is my goal to INFUSE all of our ministers with a PASSION for, and DEDICATION to, the liturgy. Experience has also taught me that a solid music ministry program is built and sustained through HARD WORK and VISION.

I also believe that the role of music in the liturgy is to INSPIRE, ENLIGHTEN, and ENCOURAGE YOU, the assembly to lift your HEARTS and SOULS, and most especially your VOICES, in praise and thanksgiving as ONE VOICE, ONE BODY, ONE FAMILY of God.

If you feel called to serve as a minister of music, please contact me. We are always in need of singers and instrumentalists who could be choir members, cantors, handbell ringers, etc.

We'll find a place for everyone!!"

Contact:  Francesco Alleruzzo (818) 340-6020 x 1028 or falleruzzo@stmel.org

After the baby shower. . . Aidan

Aidan Cooper Rohrbaugh was born 8-17-10 (shown here with proud Grandma, Marijo)

Seems like it wasn't too long ago that we had a baby shower for Elena (June 6th)...

Bridget Timberlake (Bell Choir) Honored at St. Mel Appreciation Dinner

On Saturday evening, May 22, 2010, Bridget Timberlake was honored at the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner with a Papal Blessing from The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI.

Bridget Timberlake has been a member of St. Mel Parish for nearly 20 years; joining when her children were ages one and three; She immediately became an active parishioner; volunteering as an instructor for the Sunday morning Religious Education Program for the pre-schoolers. As her children became students at St Mel School, Bridget was in the PVA, a Room Mom, a Scrip Coordinator, Lunch Ticket Salesperson, you name it. Though, a full time working Mom, she did what she could, whenever she could. As the years went by, Bridget has served on the Finance Council, the Pastoral Council and was a Eucharistic Minister. She was also an active member of the Youth, Young Adult, Family Life Planning Team during the Parish Development Process.

Currently, Bridget is a Lector and a member of our Music Ministry, playing in the St. Mel Adult Hand Bell Choir.

Congratulations Bridget!

Rehearsal and Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo - a good reason for a party. Schedule on May 6: Bell choir rehearsal - 5:30 to 7 p.m., Party 7 to 8 p.m., Parish choir rehearsal 8 to 9:30 p.m., food and drinks unlimited. Our personal chef Joseph Schmidt (www.joeythechef.com) once again delighted our palate with chicken and beef enchilladas and the very best strawberry margaritas. Hmmm.

My Redeemer Lives

Rejoice! He is risen.

Palm Sunday

The Parish and Handbell Choirs led the community in reflection during Palm Sunday. Here is a recording of Ave Verum, followed by the spiritual, Were You There.

Ave Verum and Were You There

Ave Verum, as performed at St. Mel, is set to the music of Mozart. This translation provides an understanding of the Latin lyrics:

Hail,true body
born of the Virgin Mary,
Who truly suffered, sacrificed
on the Cross for man,
Whose pierced side overflowed
with water* and blood,
Be for us a foretaste**
In the test of death.

St. Patrick's Day

The choir wore the green on Mon. March 15 at Maura's Irish "pub". Our resident chef, Joseph Schmidt (www.joeythechef.com) prepared a scrumptious meal of Guinness Shepherd's Pie with Beef and Lamb, Irish Seafood Casserole in a Cream Sauce and Stewed Cabbage. As always, the highlight of the evening was a celebration of March birthdays and a sing-along of Irish melodies.

Choir Recording (AT LAST!)

Ever since we started this blog, we've received many requests to post our performances. And why not! We are amazing.

Here is a recording of Breathe, performed by the St. Mel Parish Choir and Handbell Choir as a prelude to one of last year's services (pardon the background noise).

BREATHE(CHOIR).MP3

Visit our blog again for more beautiful music. In fact, why not follow our blog by selecting your preferences in the Subscribe to this Blog section on the right.

The Long Bright: March 11 at UCLA

Tickets are still available for the West Coast premiere of The Long Bright Cantata on Thursday, March 11, 7:30 p.m. at Royce Hall UCLA: music by Andrea Clearfield, lyrics by David Wolman. The event will feature Hila Pittman, Grammy award winning coloratura soprano; Kol Isha, a multi-generational interfaith choir; and The Los Angeles Jewish Symphony. Some members of St. Mel's Music Ministry will also participate.  More details about the composer here.

The evening supports the Israel Cancer Research Fund, an organization that funds the scientists in Israel who are on the cutting edge of cancer research.

For ticket information, visit this link. Get a 15% discount as a friend of LAJS.  We hear the $72 seats are the best.

Young Adult Singers

The Music Ministry is planning to form a choir of young adults to sing on Sat. at the 5 p.m. mass. Karaoke, coffee nights, dinner, bowling, etc. will follow the evening liturgy. If interested, contact falleruzzo@st.mel.org

About the Maestro

A good friend of mine comes to Woodland Hills to listen to our choir (even if the nearest church is one block from her home). In fact, she was there on Christmas Day because “it’s Christmas and I wanted to listen to great music.”  And if every good choir boasts a good maestro, we have Francesco alleRuzzo.  If you or your friends are still on the fence about joining the Ministry, here’s a link to Francesco’s bio and some photos of his very engaging style.

 

Mass for Father Ben

The combined Parish, Bell and Teen choirs sang and rang Father Ben's favorite music for a Farewell Mass on Jan. 24.  Included in the Music Menu were:  Be Not Afraid, Here I Am Lord, Ave Verum,  Mozart's Alleluia, and Go Make a Difference. Thank you, Father Ben for your priestly ministry at St. Mel.

Read Father Ben's farewell message here.

Bell Choir at Practice

Every week, the Bell Choir gets together to rehearse for the next liturgical event. They ring, plunk, pluck, thumb damp, swing, mart, lift AND understand the meaning of HD, LV, PL, R on the music sheet and if you think that's gruelling, they just keep coming back for more.

Christmas Eve 2009