MusicFest 2011 Report - A Great Night of Praise!

What an amazing event last night at St. Thomas of Villanova!!  About 250 people gathered to sing praises and to worship together!  The songs were wonderful - we will post the list for you here soon!

There were band members and song leaders from from all over the Vicariate, specifically:   St. Raymonds, St. Edna, St. Anne, St. Thomas of Villanova, Mundelein Seminary, St. Peters, St. Hubert

Band:
Norma Garcia - Conductor - St. Edna
Marcy Barr - Keyboard - St. Thomas of Villanova
Brian Fife - Keyboard, Vocals - St. Edna/St. Theresa/St. Thomas of Villanova
Grant Cramer - Trumpet, Flugelhorn - friend of St. Thomas of Villanova
Dominic Trumfio - Flute, Woodwinds - St. Raymond
Gary Daigle - Guitar, Percussion - St. Edna
Paul Wood - Guitar - St. Edna/St. Theresa/St. Thomas of Villanova
Paul Hildebrand  - Bass Guitar - St. Raymond
Steve Michaels - Drums - St. Raymond
Andy Geiger - Tuba - St. Thomas of Villanova

Song Leaders:
Ann Schenkel - St. Thomas of Villanova - soprano
Jeanine Kellman - St. Peter (Antioch) - soprano
Siobhan Mcguire - St. Hubert - alto
Fran Gomes - St. Peter (Antioch) - alto
Bruce Wood - St. Thomas of Villanova - tenor
Bradley Zamora - University of St Mary of the Lake Seminary - tenor
Joe Jordan - St. Thomas of Villanova
Andy Geiger - St. Thomas of Villanova

Hospitality:
Jane Liquin
Cristine Lukowski
many other volunteers!!!!

Before each song, a prayer request for peace and intervention for a specific country where unrest exists was given.

Also, as a song leader I heard the CHOIR in the pews singing loud and wonderfully - there were several songs where I just listened to the melodious sounds of a great choir singing to our Lord!  It was a celestial experience for those of us who love music.

The song list is posted at the bottom of this blog!!
St. Thomas is having more 50th anniversary events this year, culminating in the first service after the renovation of the church - on Sept 10, 2011.

Now, on to Lent...

Can't wait to MusicFest 2012!!

Ready to Praise the Lord?

The practice took place at St. Thomas on Tuesday, March 1, and it was a LONG practice, but a wonderful success.  We look forward to the 200-300 singers who will round out the "choir" tomorrow night!  Thanks to all who have participated in the planning, preparation and setup of the 10th annual MusicFest celebration!  Those of us at St. Thomas are very happy and blessed to have you all here!!!  God is good - all the time!!!!

Home Stretch!!

Only 4 days to Musicfest!! Today Fr. Tom announced at St. Thomas of Villanova that all are invited to Musicfest - and you know that STV is a singing parish, so our latest estimate of 220 will be going up!! The Musicfest2011 band is finalized and we have a small group of 8 singers, who will be leading the "choir" sitting in the seats!! The practice for the leadership team and band is Tuesday evening at 7pm!

The local volunteer leaders of Marcy, Jane, Christine, Brad, Bruce met last week, and the schedule has been set. The St. Thomas choir is also providing support and food. The hospitality will be in the Rowley center after the program.

The sign in will he in the gathering area between the sanctuary and the Rowley center. There will be a few snacks available for those who have not had a chance to eat beforehand.

It is going to be a great night of singing and praising God.

Musicfest has a facebook page, so look for it!

Bruce Wood
St. Thomas Music Ministry

9 days to go!

We currently have an estimate of approximately 170 people who are coming to MusicFest - and that is before we invite our whole local church!!   It is exciting as the date approaches.  On Wed, Feb 23, there was a 3:30pm planning meeting at St. Thomas for the local team.  It was a wonderful meeting, with a lot of work to complete in a week!

On Tues, Mar 1, there is a 7:00pm music/singing practice for the band.  The band has been picked by the music committee from 7 parishes in the area!

The 16 songs have been selected and it promises to be a wonderful evening of fellowship and singing!  Imagine, singing in a choir with more than 170 people!! 

Please come by 6:45pm, because singing starts at 7:15pm, followed by Hospitality at 8:45pm.

Music Committee Meeting # 2 - February 4

The deadline for music submissions to MusicFest 2011 is this coming Friday, February 4, as the Music selection committee will be meeting to select the final set of songs and start the permission phase.  Please send the selection and a PDF to myself, either Bruce Wood or Marcy Barr, before this Friday for consideration.  The committee is made up of Marcy, Bruce, Siobhan McGuire, Norma Garcia, Francine Gomes, Rita Byrd, and Mary Pietro, with several St. Thomas of VIllanova and other parish volunteers assisting.

The meeting will be held in room MC at St. Thomas of Villanova parish in Palatine, at 1:00pm.  Please let us know if you cannot attend.

Hospitality Committee formed - Jan 20th

Jane Liquin of the St. Thomas choir has graciously agreed to lead the effort for the Hospitality Committee!  She will have a food sign-up sheet at our next choir practice!  Duties of the committee will involve planning for food and drink, serving, greeting and passing out packages at the event. There are currently 4 people so far on the committee!  Thanks to everyone!

Bruce Wood

Music Committee meeting - Jan 14

Our first music meeting was held at St. THomas of Villanova on Jan 14.  Marcy Barr and Bruce Wood (St. Thomas of Villanova), Norma Garcia (St. Edna), Siobhan Maguire (St. Hubert) and Francine Gomes (St. Peter) met and discussed the musical issues for MusicFest.  About 10 songs were suggested, as well as one already submitted from Holy Family.  Marcy will be contacting the music directors of the vicariate for a personal invitation and to see if they would like to submit a song for consideration.  The deadline will be Friday, Feb 4, where the committee will meet to finalize the list of songs.  The format of the evening will be focused on singing!

We will be posting the schedule on the site soon!  Only 48 days left to MusicFest!

Bruce Wood
St. Thomas of Villanova