In memoriam of St. Mary's Choir
  • Don9of11Don9of11
    Posts: 729
    In many of my HYMN OF THE MONTH write-up’s, I have mentioned with much affection St. Mary’s Choir, of Akron, Ohio. I have included bits and pieces about the organist and choir members from time to time. As I grow older, and Christmas or Easter comes around, I remember them even more and so I thought I would take the time to share a little history and a few anecdotes with you while I am still able. Please take a moment to read about St. Mary’s Choir as I remember them and listen to some wonderful recordings.

    St. Mary's Choir

    Please visit my website Mother of Mercy Catholic Hymns and click on the WHAT’s NEW tab.
    Thanked by 3oldhymns CHGiffen NihilNominis
  • davido
    Posts: 974
    Don, what a wonderful privilege to have worked and sung with that special group. Thank you for sharing this with us.
    In the last few weeks, I have lost two people who were significant to me in my musical journey. I think these losses are so much more poignant at this time of year, when we are surrounded by all the great music that we shared with colleagues and mentors. Hopefully they are playing and singing all this great music before the heavenly altar and may we one day be privileged to sing with them again.
    I wish I could make it to Akron to help sing this great tradition to life again in your beautiful church. Unlikely to happen, but know that we are trying to build similar memories at our own parishes and hopefully will get to sing with you someday on the farther, better shore.
    Thanked by 1Don9of11
  • mmeladirectress
    Posts: 1,105
    Don9of11
    Thank you for sharing all of this! I know I am going to have a lot of fun going through it all.

    I was interested to see that you list four versions of Salve, Pater, Salvatoris
    and we sing yet another one
    which is from the Marist Brothers' "American Catholic Hymnal" and to my ear, sounds rather Italian
    https://hymnary.org/hymn/ACH1913/372
    Thanked by 1Don9of11
  • Don9of11Don9of11
    Posts: 729
    @davido, thank you for your kind words. I hope that this small memorial to my friends in the choir will encourage or inspire musicians both young and old to make their music ministry more holy, sacred, and not limit their repertoire to what is found in the parish missalette or pew missals.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • Don9of11Don9of11
    Posts: 729
    @mmeladirectress Salve, Pater, Salvatoris appeared in at least 14 other Catholic hymnals between 1913-1958, and each with a different melody. Two of these melodies were identified by J. Vincent Higginson, who was President of the Hymn Society of America. He only referred to this hymn in his Handbook of American Catholic Hymnals in reference to Hail, O Father of Our Savior a translation by a Sister of Notre Dame which appears in the 1931 edition of the Daily Hymnal (A Daily Hymn Book).
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
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