During the Summer months, this column will be highlighting the good work and parishioners involved in one of our various Parish Ministries. Each week, we will feature an article from a different ministry, written by one if its members, as a reflection on the generosity and stewardship of the SMOS community.
Music Ministry
by Tom Wethington
When I am sitting amidst and hearing all these beautiful voices, I pinch myself or, at least, I tell myself that I should. Joining my own voice with others in the performance of well-orchestrated, sacred music, I can easily reach a depth of emotion that puts me in the perfect place for reflection, prayer, and even redemptive tears.
There’s a background story here, too. When we were living in Atlanta, we would come to St. Louis to visit family at Christmas. One year, a dear friend invited us to come to the Prelude Concert and Christmas Eve Mass at Saint Margaret. We were overwhelmed with the voices, the instruments, and the exquisite curation of music. It became an annual event; we’d bring my mom and each year, we would marvel at both the community and the music. Sometime during those years, I think the seed was unconsciously planted in my head: I would love to sing with this choir but that just wasn’t possible, given our physical location. Although there were other factors to influence the decision, the stars aligned and a very important someone said yes to my request that we move to St. Louis. In the fall of 2010, I joined the choir.
Fast forward to now; this fall, I will begin my “fifteenth season.” Every little bit that I’ve invested comes back to me in abundance, a hundred-fold! The talent of the choir is inspiring, and I’ve learned so much, particularly from our leaders, past and present. They and many choir members are talented across disciplines, teaching, conducting, singing, and playing instruments. Having the composer present at our rehearsals is not unusual. Beyond (and perhaps despite,) the tremendous talent, the choir feels like an artistic and spiritual family… and it has been heartwarming to watch that family grow with second-generation vocalists and instrumentalists.
I’ve seen great talent come and go and come back; I’m pretty sure I was a part of the influence that brought us talent far beyond mine. I am blessed, beyond measure, to be a part of this ministry and the great love it generates.