As the new school year begins, and as the activities at St. Anne percolate into a higher gear, I thought it would be appropriate to share with you some of my thoughts and vision for the Music Ministry. Flatly stated —St. Anne is a musical church. It’s one of the reasons I accepted the position as Music Director. Imagine with me the possibilities that may present themselves in our journey together.

The current adult choir is about 30-35 strong when everyone is present. There are approximately 20 cantors to help lead us in song. About 30 parishioners who have instrumental talents (of all ages and levels of expertise) have volunteered at points in the past to share their abilities at Mass. 40 children signed up for choir last year, unfortunately dwindling to 15 or 20 by year’s end.  (I’m relating these figures based on casual conversations I’ve had since arriving here.)

Now, here are a few of the things that I think are possible in this next year.

• With the number of instrumentalists available, it would be good to have one or several or an ensemble accompanying the liturgy at every Mass. To form those ensembles we need anyone who can play to participate: guitarists, bass players, drummers, wind, brass, and string players, and keyboards, harp, dulcimer, and accordion. ALL instruments have a place in praising God, and we’ll make room for you! No matter whether you haven’t played since high school, or if you a beginner, or if you make your living as a professional: all are welcome!
• The hardest part of forming a children’s choir is finding time in a young person’s busy schedule. I know that soccer or gymnastics, lessons or other opportunities create busy schedules for child and parent alike. So the hardest part is making that commitment and keeping it. This year children’s choir will be on Wednesday nights at 4:45 p.m. Once a month it will lead directly into the regular Whole Community Catechesis session on the first Wednesday of the month at 5:45. We will sing at Mass on a regular basis, maybe two times a month, sometimes on Saturday.
• One of the new ensembles that I would like to start is a bell choir, or rather several bell choirs: children, teens and adults, with and without prior musical experience. Bell choirs require one thing above all others: commitment. When one player is missing, it is like playing a piano with broken keys, or a trumpet with a stuck valve. Bells can also be expensive. I have several solutions that I am working on. One is that a set of tone chimes (similar to hand bells, but 1/10 the cost) be obtained as a start. Another is that the local association of hand bell ringers loan sets of bells to schools and churches for a year, and provide help in getting the groups started. The third is the least expensive. I was browsing the web a few weeks back and discovered plans for making a set of hand held bells for about thirty dollars in materials found at any hardware store. If there are any parishioners or friends of St. Anne that are handy with tools and would like to put a set together, come see me after Mass. You can check out the website at http://www.campbell.edu/faculty/whitley/ToneChimes.pdf .

 Another thought: inviting friends, neighbors and acquaintances who have musical talent to become part of the music ministry is a great way to enlarge and enrich our community. It is an evangelistic opportunity to share what is so exciting about being a part of St. Anne.

None of this can happen without you. The most important ministers of music are the community that gathers to pray. Some of the possibilities that I have in mind include part singing by the assembly, antiphonal responses, and a wider musical vocabulary with which to praise and pray.  Imagine a Palm Sunday procession with 20 instrumentalists from saxophone to flute and trumpet.  Imagine processional banners and palms, a large choir and maybe dancers. And there are hand bells and drums and loud praise-filled singing from the gathered assembly.  In my mind’s eye it is awesome AND possible.

So, the first meeting of the Adult Choir and anyone interested in being an instrumentalist will be a purely social event. On Thursday, September 3, at 6 p.m. we will gather at St. Anne for a summer’s end potluck and grill out. Anyone who would like to be part of the choir, or if you just want to find out more about the choir should bring a dish to pass (desserts, salads, veggies, etc.). Meat for the grill will be provided. (And we’ll need help with the grilling.)  Invite a friend who might be interested. This will be a great opportunity to share your thoughts about music at St. Anne.

Rehearsals will begin the following Thursday, September 10, at 7 p.m. in the church. 

 If you are interested in being involved as an organizer, leader, assistant, or music filer, sound person, composer, dancer, cantor, choir member, bell ringer: email me at lstahl@saint-anne.org or contact me at church on the weekend. To make this vision a reality will take many hands and many types of talent.