Choir “Pre-season” Q&A
Tuesday, August 29 at 7:00 PM in the church balcony.
“The one who sings, prays twice”, St. Augustine.
Don Nigro shares the vision of many parishioners of returning the choir to its important role and has the energy and the ability to achieve this. Prior to Ellen’s departure, she recommended the ten-year parishioner and Pastoral Council member to fill the role of choir director. Don has two music degrees and more than a decade of successful professional experience in leading church choirs in our Diocese.
The choir will sing at two Sunday masses a month—one 9:00 AM and one 11:00 AM and will regularly rehearse one weekday evening a week—at a time that works not only for the retired and those who work at home but also for those who commute to work. The choir will sing the best of both traditional and contemporary music.
To make things easier for choir members, he will create and share with each choir member demo recordings of their respective choral parts. He wants to make the experience as effortless and enjoyable as possible.
To achieve all of this, our parish needs your help. On Tuesday, August 29, at 7:00 PM, there will be a brief meeting in the church choir loft to answer questions, determine the best rehearsal evening and time, and determine the preferred way to distribute demo recordings.
We need not only current and former choir members but also just about anyone who can carry a tune. You do not need to be able to read music. You can be as youthful as high school age. Even junior high school students are welcomed if they have a parent also singing in the choir. Don always has found it very satisfying when those who are 14, 24, 44, 64, or 84 years of age feel equally comfortable and at home in the choir. That has been a priority for him.
Currently, Don is leading the choir on an interim basis through to the end of the year. Regardless of whatever is implemented on a permanent basis, his goal is to help build up the choir to achieve and exceed its success of past decades and to have a most glorious sounding choir to enhance the 2023 Christmas season liturgies.
Our faith guides us; Ephesians 5:19 states: “Address . . . one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart.”
Working together in the Christ the King music ministry, God will use us to bless our parish and its members, and from our efforts, we will grow closer to God and to each other.
Answer questions, determine best rehearsal evening & time; and determine preferred way to distribute demo recordings. If you can’t make it but still would like to ask questions or express interest or opinions, please contact choir director Don Nigro at nigroplace@gmail.com or (856) 869-9048 (cell).