Friends,
I am officially assistant cantor at my parish. I usually help sing at the Ukie liturgy which is mainly 3 singers and 1 or 2 in the congregation. We have never really had a formal choir, until this morning.
I cantored at the English Liturgy (all Tridentines) for the Feast of the Transfiguration. Afterwards, at 10 am, I held the first choir practice that our parish has really ever had.
It was composed of about 6 ladies, and 4 guys. All were Ukrainian but two. The reason for the practice was to have something ofically organized for our 45tth anniv. which the Bishop will preside at in October.
The music I choose was for all the "Lord have mercies, To you, oh Lord, and Amens" to be in Kyivan Chant. There rest will be Galaician, but in 4 part harmony.
Not to brag, but within two minutes, the Kyivan chant was done perfectly. I literally got goosebumps. This is the beginning of many good things to come, I feel.
The thing is, our parish has never had an organized choir, and to be honest, most Sundays, the music is way way way below par.
I wanted to share this to let fellow canotrs/singers know that with some organization, even in the smallest of parishes, a little harmony and a little practice, can go a long way, and will make praising God that much more pleasing. No need for opera stars, no need for maestros, just raw voices with prayer and a tuning key, and *puff* you have yourself a choir.
-uc
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