In the first-of-its kind endeavor in the Diocese of Harrisburg, the voices of Catholic elementary school students rose throughout the sanctuary of St. Patrick Cathedral in Harrisburg earlier this week, leading the congregation in the entire Mass setting and in hymns of praise and worship.
Making its debut with 40 students from St. Patrick School in Carlisle and Our Lady of the Angels School in Columbia, the Diocesan Youth Choir raised its voices as one during the noon Mass, with chants, antiphons and several hymns, including “Sing Praise to the Lord,” “O Taste and See How Gracious the Lord Is,” and “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name.”
A livestream of the February 3 Mass is available on the Cathedral Parish’s YouTube channel.
The Youth Choir is an endeavor of the Diocesan Office for Divine Worship.
“For children, learning liturgical music is more than a musical education, it is an immersion in the living heritage of the Church,” Father Joshua Brommer, Director for Divine Worship and pastor of the Cathedral Parish, wrote in a letter to launch the choir. “Chant and other liturgical song cultivates attentive listening, strengthens memory and introduces the Latin language in a meaningful, prayerful context. Most importantly, it helps form young hearts in the beauty and mystery of the faith, grounding them in a tradition that transcends time and speaks directly to the soul.”
The 40 students in the inaugural choir arrived at the Cathedral a few hours before the noon Mass for rehearsals led by Dr. David O’Donnell, Director of Music at St. Patrick Parish in Carlisle, and Dr. Evan Brickner, Cathedral organist. Students were instructed in posture, projection and enunciation as they rehearsed the sacred music. They also learned about the history of the Cathedral and were treated to a wide range of sounds produced by its organ.
“I’ve been singing in the choir since last year. I really enjoy singing, especially singing hymns to worship Jesus,” said Our Lady of the Angels fourth grader Kennedy Gerfin.
She smiled throughout the Mass, grinning widely as she sang in the choir and gazed up at the beauty of the Cathedral.
“This is my first time here and I am very excited and happy. Everybody’s voices sounded beautiful together,” Kennedy said.
Teresa Forestieri and Mia Bailey, a seventh and eighth grader, respectively, at St. Patrick School in Carlisle, have been singing in the parish and school choirs for several years and said they enjoyed the chance to share their gifts as part of this Diocesan effort.
“It was beautiful to hear so many voices together today,” Mia said. “It sounded angelic.”
Teresa recalled singing as part of a choir in the Cathedral’s choir loft a few years ago and said she was fortunate to return and sing as part of a new initiative.
“Mia and I have been singing together since we were in second grade and this is another great opportunity for us,” she said.
“Today was a great experience to learn how to work with different voices,” Mia observed. “Even though many of us don’t know one another, the music still sounds beautiful and it was inspiring.”
As director of music for St. Patrick Parish and School, Dr. O’Donnell said the Diocesan Youth Choir gives young people the opportunity to learn Latin, Church history and techniques in music, and to step into leadership roles for their parish and school.
“This effort is about helping students see the way sacred music can affect their lives and their hearts. I’m excited to see how the choir can grow,” he said.
“The purity of their voices is inspiring to hear,” he said of his inaugural group. “It takes on a special emphasis here in the Cathedral, and that’s what I love about sacred music. It’s not a performance; it’s worship. It ties into your deepest feelings and deepest understanding of God into music.”
Catholic schools interested in learning more about the Diocesan Youth Choir can contact Kate Neri, Assistant to the Director of the Office for Divine Worship, at kneri@hbgdiocese.org.
(Photos by Jen Reed, The Catholic Witness.)
By Jen Reed, The Catholic Witness
