This an old song that is real familiar to my religious heritage: Church of Christ (non-instrumental) Great musical heritage. I've been singing a capella music since I was nine. Love it. The flowing and rich harmonies. Lots of great memories with fellow musicians of the voice.
Recently I started singing men's choral music at one of, if not the oldest original building in Detroit at St. Joseph's. It has a long life and seems to be catching a second breath. During the summers the past three years I have sung with what is caled, The Men's Schola. We have grown from about 10-15 per Sunday Mass to 20-25 men each Mass Day we are scheduled.
Some of the guys know each other from singing in churches throughout the Detoit Metro area. Others of us are new to the scene and have to introduce ourselves. The comeraderie of rehearsal is great and when we get it right on a Sunday Mass the esprit de corps is fabulous. Two years ago the group cut a CD performed and recorded at St Joseph's one particularly warm evening.
Did I mention that we rehearse and perform in the choir loft at the back of the building over the entry/exit fron door. The other factor is there is no air conditioning in this glorious old building. It has hand laid tile murals on the ceilings. The aisle way floors in the sactuary have these 1" x 1" while marble tiles that were each laid on the floor and troweled in, well over one hundred years ago.
Our Music Master and Director is, Michael Seamon. The lead Pastor for the congregation is Greg Tarsky (sp?). The recruiter for the group is Jack Day. Our marketer and event coordinator is Theresa whose husban is a very fine Tenor II.
Some of the music we perform is out of print and we are indeed very careful to preserve the integrity of what we use.
Our performances are all from the choir loft so casual attire even shortss on the ultra hot mornings is appropriate.
I started writing this piece with the intent of expressing my joy with the singing of such magnificently written music. Mozart, Beethoven, Singenberger, Guailli(sp?). Several of the men also sing the gregorian chants during services. The accompaniament is played by Michael Seamon on a very large pipe organ. The bass notes vibrate to one's bones. I just can't seem to get enough of this classic church music. It makes my heart soar. It speaks to my soul.
I won't stay away so long till next time, may peace be with you. -Don
No comments:
Post a Comment