Beautiful Music In A Beautiful Building

Depending on when you’re reading this I am either:

• About to sing
• Currently singing
• Or, have already sung

This year I joined the Spirit of Saint Anthony Choir and our Christmas Concert and Sing a long was/is December 17th at 3pm.

We are singing in the beautiful St. Anthony of Padua Church on Acushnet Ave in New Bedford.

I’ve known about this choir for years but could never seem to fit it into our busy holiday schedule until this year. 

We’ve been meeting and rehearsing for the past several weeks at the Immaculate Conception Church and yesterday was our first time inside St. Anthony’s.

It just takes your breath away!

If you’ve never been inside this church you should really make an effort to go to a service or event. I found myself sitting there in between songs looking around in amazement. I’ll post some pictures soon and feature a video on an upcoming Pete Braley Show.

I found myself wondering about all the people and families that must have attended services and special events there. 

I looked it up and it appears the cornerstone was laid in 1904. The finished church was formerly dedicated in November of 1912. Think of all the history these walls have seen! It’s so ornate. 

Singing in this choir has been a great experience. There are 36 of us made up of sopranos, altos, tenors and bass. David Touchette is our director and Isleila Rodrigues accompanies us on the piano. There are ten churches represented in this choir.

I am a member of the First Congregational Church in Fairhaven and we have a choir that is a decent size compared to some churches. On any given Sunday we can have anywhere from 8 to 16 people. However, being a part of a 36 member choir is pretty amazing. As I said, we had our first rehearsal in the church and when we cut off that final note on one number you could hear that final chord just echo through the sanctuary. Pretty cool!

I love this time of year for many reasons including the music. 

Does anyone else have this problem?

You’re singing a song that you’ve known for years but it’s a different arrangement. You’re just singing along when your memory takes over. Then the director points out, “While you sounded wonderful, you might want to sing what’s written. Just try it, you might like it.” It took me a few rehearsals to learn the new arrangement as my brain just wants to sing what I’ve always known.

Whatever makes this season special for you I hope you experience that in the coming days. Whether it’s being with family and friends, exchanging gifts or just listening to beautiful music in a beautiful building or by yourself in a warm home… Merry Christmas my friend.

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