Join the Parish Choir Fall 2012

Mens Choir Open ...

Piano Donation: Thank you Jimmy Adams Family

We give special thanks to Mr. Jimmy Adams for his donation of a beautiful Yamaha upright piano for the choir loft, given in honor of his mother Mrs. Frankie Adams.

God bless you!
Bob Grant

Here's what people are saying about SJB

Here is what people are saying about SJB:

I came to St. John's this morning knowing (as usual) that I would participate in an appropriately solemn liturgy for Passion Sunday; I was not disappointed. I came to church this morning in a bad mood and left quite edified. Kudos to all of you for a most effective liturgical ministry! LP

The choir did an outstanding job on the anthems at both offertory and communion; the hymn choices for the day were "just what the doctor ordered." As usual, the canting was next to perfect (O.K., 'cause only GOD is perfect). PL

I have nothing but praise to offer for today's profound liturgy at 9:30 a.m. From the procession with palms to the doors of the church, the ceremony was not only lovely but reverent. (There IS a change in the tide: The congregation moved silently and reverently from the blacktop to the church.) PG

The chanted account of the Lord's passion was marvelous; I haven't experienced that since I was a Dominican friar. RD

But I Can't Sing!

When I invite members of the parish to sing in the choir, I am often given one of two responses, the most common being, "I can't sing." I enjoy the laugh we share when I tell them that their family or friends have assured me they can sing--especially in the shower. Well, the church building is no different than the acoustics of the shower, just a little bigger. In fact, it has been said that "If you can talk, you can sing," or, "singing is nothing more than controlled yelling." We can all testify to the awesome excitement we express at our favorite games, whether in the bleachers or in front of our big screen TV. So, because we know we can all sing, let's explore just what it really means to sing in the Parish Choir at SJB.

The first is to understand that singing in the choir is Stewardship. Yes, singing in the choir is a wonderful way to express your Stewardship to our Lord. It requires time, commitment, and sacrifice.

Part of the sacrifice involves the willingness to learn and be open to new adventures.

Fundamental to singing is … the ability to
--match pitches
--learn your voice part and sing it independently
--blend your voice with others in your section
--be present and willing to learn

At each rehearsal we incorporate learning how to sing and how to read music as a part of the weekly routine, including the above fundamentals. We have welcoming and friendly singers who are experienced in singing and reading music and are always ready to help their neighbors as we rehearse. What is so great about this program is that we offer free music education.

Secondly, the unity of the Church can be expressed in the unity of the choir when it strives for pitch accuracy, beautiful and blended tone, well-supported breath, and proper diction and unified vowels, moving as one great voice.

These are all layers or levels of music that we strive for during the weekly rehearsal. It is very rewarding and fulfilling.

Because it is important that the anthem be well prepared for each Sunday, it is expected that all members of the choir make a sacrifice to be present at the Thursday rehearsal and Sunday Mass.

Sunday warm-ups and rehearsal for Mass begin at 9:15 a.m. in the church choir loft

Thursday rehearsals are held from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with designated sectional starting at 6:30 p.m. in the music room of the Parish Hall

New Future Music Suite

As SJB looks to the future, exciting new plans are being made for a new music suite. A simple concept is seen in the attached image.

Music for the Christian Wedding

The marriage liturgy is a sacred and solemn celebration of Christian love in which the couple ministers this sacrament to one another in the presence of the presider and community. In the marriage liturgy, presider, bride, groom, and guests are all active participants in prayer, blessing, and adoration. This aspect is at the heart of how the Parish of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church plans the Wedding Mass, including music, reflecting the sacred musical styles incorporated into the sacramental rites of the Roman Catholic Church under the directives of the Church documents. St. John the Baptist Parish carefully follows the solemn and sacred rite of the Wedding Mass.

If one were to place the wedding rite in the context of the Sunday morning Mass, a clearer understanding of the sacred nature of this rite will become evident. When planning your wedding, the sacred and solemn nature of the Wedding Mass must be kept in the forefront of all you consider for your wedding in the church.

Therefore, the service music of the Wedding Mass, the Prelude, Introit, [Kyrie, Gloria], Sanctus, Memorial Acclamation, Great Amen, Agnus Dei, and Offertory and Communion Antiphons, has been established from the Roman Missal, for all weddings, using the Mass setting Missal chants or Mass of Wisdom for the people’s sung prayer, led by the parish cantor and organist. This includes the Responsorial Psalm and Gospel Acclamation Verse, which are taken from the Graduale Romanum, the official Roman Missal of the Church.

Additionally, to help the family in preparing the wedding, the music for the bridesmaids and bridal procession, unity candle song, offertory and communion song, Marion Presentation, and recessional will be carefully guided by the Director of Music according to Church documents. Requests for other sacred music may be requested and must be carefully guided and approved by the Director of Music.

Secular songs, ballads, and show tunes are more appropriate for the reception, therefore, are not permitted at the Wedding Mass. The use of CDs and accompaniment tracks is strictly prohibited.

The organist and cantor of St. John the Baptist Parish must be present at all Weddings. The fee is $175 for the Music Director/Organist and $150 per staff musician. Kindly note that organists and cantors from outside St. John the Baptist Parish music staff are NOT permitted.

If, under special circumstances, an outside organist and/or cantor are granted permission by the Director of Music to participate, you may be charged a $100 bench fee for each musician, and they must be auditioned to ensure the standards of integrity in the sacred music liturgy at St. John the Baptist Parish are maintained. Besides being unfamiliar with the proper timing and function that music plays liturgically within St. John the Baptist Parish, non-parish musicians do not have access to the facilities and equipment.

The request for additional musicians must be approved by the Director of Music. Bagpipes and instruments of a percussive nature are discouraged from use, and are more suited to the reception.

However, there are times when the family want a family member or friend to participate; one suggestion would be to have that person sing one “special,” sacred song, approved by the Director of Music, the parish cantor singing the service music.

In order to meet your needs in the best way possible, please contact the Director of Music immediately, at which time all details of the wedding music will be established, later changes are not permitted.

The following organ pieces are approved for use at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and are listed on the wedding music guidelines found in your "Together for Life" booklet.

Air I, G.F. Handel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0bHwyK0zfs

Allegretto, Spring (Four Seasons), A. Vivaldi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypBRrZt1Lqg

Allegro, Autumn (Four Seasons), A. Vivaldi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jX2FLFsli4

Priere a Notre-Dame, L. Boellmann
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXUYXoD8_Hw

Arioso in A, J.S. Bach
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zX7_bGLPUdM

Canon in D, J. Pachelbel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wpPk8qk3uQ

Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, J.S. Bach
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yN4AGVq1XG0

Allegro Maestoso, G.F. Handel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7t6MMJVMQQQ

Rondeau, J. Mouret
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVUJjPzRb2U

Te Deum, M.A. Charpentier
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPnKqokV1ds

Trumpet Tune & Air, H. Purcell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2ugP0-nfw8

Trumpet Voluntary, J. Stanley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HloZyxmQhhM

Trumpet Voluntary, J. Clark
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7S9ubgKl-Q

Bridal Chorus, R. Wagner
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBt6Myv75jk

Ode to Joy, L.V Beethoven
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmAJ82m0p0E

The Rejoicing, G.F. Handel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGO36Sc76zw

Riguadon, A. Campra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFKyWEZDvOM

In Dir Ist Freude, J.S. Bach
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipe6AB1n6_U

Fanfare, J. Lemmens
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTY6S9DfSro

Finale (Symphony No. 1), L. Vierne
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHF2M8VnEg4

Toccata (Symphony No. 5), C.M. Widor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvIh8Ao6bSQ



Bob Grant, Director of Music, Organist & Choirmaster
949.939.2489 – Cell
714.557.0761 – Music Office
bgrant@sjboc.org – Music E-Mail
lagunaredbob@msn.com – Personal E-Mail

Music for the Christian Funeral

The Requiem Mass (or Funeral Mass) especially expresses the faith in Jesus’ victory over death and our personal share in that resurrection. It does so through prayers and blessings, through songs and readings, through ceremonies and symbols. This aspect is at the heart of how the Parish of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church plans the funeral Mass, including music, reflecting the sacred musical styles incorporated into the sacramental rites of the Roman Catholic Church under the directives of the Church documents. St. John the Baptist Parish carefully follows the solemn and sacred rite of the Requiem Mass ensuring a spirit of prayer and hope can be established to strengthen the expression of faith.

If one were to place the funeral rite within the context of the Sunday morning Mass, a clearer understanding of the sacred and solemn nature of this rite will become evident. Therefore, when we plan the Requiem Mass the sacred and solemn nature of the rite is kept in the forefront of all that is considered.

Therefore, the service music of the Requiem Mass, the Prelude, Introit, [Kyrie], Sanctus, Memorial Acclamation, Great Amen, Agnus Dei, Offertory and Communion Antiphons, and In Paradisum, has been established from the Roman Missal, for all funerals, using the Mass setting Missa Jubiláte Deo and Masses for the Dead for the people’s sung prayer, led by the parish cantor and organist. This includes the Responsorial Psalm and Gospel Acclamation Verse, which are taken from the Graduale Romanum.

Additionally, to help the family in preparing the funeral, the music for the entrance hymn, communion song, and recessional have already been established according to Church documents. Requests for other sacred music may be requested and must be carefully guided and approved by the Director of Music.

Secular songs, ballads, and show tunes are more appropriate for the interment or the wake, therefore, are not permitted at the Requiem Mass. The use of CDs and accompaniment tracks is strictly prohibited.

The organist and cantor of St. John the Baptist Parish must be present at all funerals. The fee is $125 per staff musician. Kindly note that organists and cantors from outside St. John the Baptist Parish music staff are NOT permitted.

If, under special circumstances, an outside organist and/or cantor are granted permission by the Director of Music to participate, you may be charged a $100 bench fee for each musician, and they must be auditioned to ensure the standards of integrity in the sacred music liturgy at St. John the Baptist Parish are maintained. Besides being unfamiliar with the proper timing and function that music plays liturgically within St. John the Baptist Parish, non-parish musicians do not have access to the facilities and equipment.

The request for additional musicians must be approved by the Director of Music. Bagpipes and instruments of a percussive nature are discouraged from use, and are more suited to the interment.

However, there are times when the family want a family member or friend to participate; one suggestion would be to have that person sing one “special,” sacred song, approved by the Director of Music, the parish cantor singing the service music.

In order to meet your needs in the best way possible, please contact the Director of Music immediately, at which time all details of the funeral music will be set.

Bob Grant, Director of Music, Organist & Choirmaster
949.939.2489 – Cell
714.557.0761 – Music Office
bgrant@sjboc.org – Music E-Mail
lagunaredbob@msn.com – Personal E-Mail