Ring, Plunk, Pluck

We join the Music Ministry for many reasons. Cecille Waggner writes about joining the handbell choir.

I never considered myself the creative or artistic type, preferring math formulas and the scientific process over the subjectivism of the arts. But when my sister told me that Francesco was starting a handbell choir at the parish, I was curious. I figured I could always quit if it didn’t work out.

Now I love every single plunk, pluck, ring, thumb damp, and shake and I'm still discovering the different sounds those bells can produce. I know now that my childhood music lessons were not for naught (thanks Dad!). I like being part of this group of musicians (an ensemble really) - from our newest member Ghislaine and her do-re-mi, to Bridget who can now sight read music like a pro to Precy, our resident nurse.

Each of our 11 ringers has a role to play and no single ringer is more important than the other. We enjoy our rehearsals, sweat through our performances, and we keep coming back for more. In my next post, I'll share some of the new musical pieces for the Lenten season.

Here’s Francesco’s invitation to join our handbell choir.

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Hello everyone time for another music video, this one is from the song "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" performed by BYU Combined Choruses.

Our Handbell Choir Needs a Name

Please help us name our adult handbell choir. There is no limit to the number of names that you can come up with. Use this link to enter your suggestions. Name that Choir

Some criteria to guide your creativity:
1. The name should reflect the personality of our handbell choir: dedicated, fun, committed to inspiring the assembly, multi-talented, supportive of each other, welcoming. and we love to learn.
2. We perform a variety of music, primarily during the Christmas and Lenten seasons and for special events.
3. The name must differentiate us from the other handbell choirs in the parish/school: our children's beginning and intermediate handbell choirs and eventually, a beginning adult handbell choir.
4. Anyone can join the handbell choir. We do not discriminate based on musical style preference or level of experience.

Pie Jesu - John Rutter

Here is a choir performance of Pie Jesu by John Rutter, fun fact the soprano singing the solo was a young boy.

At the River - Solo Performance

Hello everyone I though I just share this with you all. A solo performance of "At the River" , Enjoy.

Noah's Flood with the LA Opera

We are now rehearsing for the March 19 performance of Benjamin Britten's "Noah's Flood" with the Los Angeles Opera at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Noah's Flood was created in 1957 by British composer Benjamin Britten and tells the biblical story of Noah's Ark. This LA Opera production was originally presented in 2007 and will again follow Britten's original work by involving the community in all elements of the production. This is an exciting opportunity for us to perform alongside professional singers and choirs from diverse Los Angeles churches and schools.

James Conlon conducts this year's performance.

Music for Sunday Feb. 6, 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

If you are unable to download music through your email because of limited space in your mailbox, you may access the files through this link: Menu and Music 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Just click on the highlighted links in this pdf.

There are 3 files for each song:
1) the recording = .MP3
2) the sheet music = .PDF
3) the lyrics = .DOC

Please note that we have 3 new songs this weekend. So, please listen to them before Sunday. We've also included some familiar songs which you might like to hear.