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

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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.