Happy (almost) New Year

In just a short while, my family and I will load up to go to midnight Mass to celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Our schola will be singing for Mass, which follows Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. This will probably be a fairly small crowd, from what I have been told. The bishop will be the celebrant, with our pastor as concelebrant.

Here is what we'll be singing:

Entrance: Joy to the World
Kyrie VIII / Gloria VIII
Responsorial Psalm (Arlene's Mode IV alt version from Chabanel)
Simple chanted Alleluia
Offertory: Behold a Virgin Bearing Him
Ave Maria (chant)
Sanctus XVIII / Agnus Dei XVIII
Communion: Viderunt omnes (we're doing seasonal Communion chants still... not up to learning new for each week yet... but give us time)
Closing: What Child is This

This past week at rehearsal we began learning a few new things... we worked primarily on a new Ad libitum Communion chant -- Qui manducat. We also worked a bit on Anima Christi. I'd like to begin singing it as a post-communion chant as a weekly occurrence very soon.

I am playing and singing for a wedding on January 10th. I haven't done this in awhile, so I had to really dig to find all my old music. Well... I found it and had it all in one stack. I took it to church with the intention of letting the couple hear and choose from the various things I think I may still be able to play. And... disaster! I cannot find it anywhere... at first I thought I had just tucked it safely away somewhere in the house (if you would see how not neat my home is lately, you would understand how that could be). I think I must have left it at the church, where it was disposed of by helpful cleaning people.

I spent last weekend online looking for Wedding collections with the same basic music I used as standards (and for which the music is now gone). So... two new books (and the Messiah octavo I have wanted for awhile) are on order and should be in by Friday. No stress, right?

As this year ends and the new year begins, I am so very thankful for all the blessings I have and don't deserve. My children, husband and I are healthy, happy, comfortable, warm, members of a wonderful parish with family and friends we love. My children are sprouting up like little olive trees (can't remember the Bible reference) and God continues to show us His love and protection.

May God bless you... see you next year!

Merry Christmas

I am happily typing this on my new laptop... yes, I opened it this morning amid the mountain of ripped and torn wrapping paper that quickly piled up around our Christmas tree as the boys delved into all the good things there. As my youngest was opening up a package that was, unmistakably, "just clothes", he was heard to say: "Come on, everyone knows that kids don't want clothes for Christmas!" Happily, there were things other than clothes under the tree for the little spoiled darling.

I have successfully moved my files from the hubby's computer to mine... software is installed... everything is working beautifully. Perhaps I'll be a bit more regular at posting now that it will be much more convenient.

Christmas Vigil Mass was very nice at San Mateo. Father Bob was (as always) wonderful... the Mass was solemn and reverent... incense, sung prayers... it was joyful and peaceful. Our little schola did a nice job. Because I forgot to tell them, they were unsure a few times just how we were going to do things. Fr. Bob had a few changes he wanted me to make right before Mass, and I forgot to tell them. They are pretty flexible, though, and stayed with me! I am so enjoying singing with these wonderful people. Can't wait for the other new things we'll be learning in the new year.

Te Deum Laudamus!

Colloquium 2009 Video

Many thanks to Jeff Ostrowski and Arlene Oost-Zinner...