Choirs launch music CD

The music ministry at Our Lady of Grace parish in Ballston Lake is right on key. In fact, the members are so good that they have produced a CD of Church music, "Seasons of Love and Grace," with spirit-filled songs.

Patty Dolezal-Neumann, director of the music ministry, told The Evangelist that the arrangement and performance of all the songs was a labor of love for everyone involved.

With the help of a musician friend, she arranged the songs; and the parish's high school youth choir, adult choir and volunteer musicians combined their talents to produce the disc, which includes 16 well-known songs.

Downbeat

Mrs. Dolezal-Neumann has been directing parish choirs and music ministries since 1977. She noted that arranging a collection of Christian music has been a life-long dream of hers.

"Occasionally, our choirs would perform one or more of the songs that are included on the CD," she said. For the past several years, "people have suggested that [we] 'record this or that song'" after hearing it in church.

In January, after she recorded her own CD of wedding music suggestions for brides and grooms to plan their ceremonies, "I got to thinking that we might just go ahead and record some of our performances. I looked at it as a way to say thanks to parishioners for all the support [they] have given our music ministry over the years."

Fund-raiser

One of the parish musicians suggested they sell the CDs as a way to raise money for expenses. Mrs. Dolezal-Neumann agreed on the condition that any money raised be put towards a cause that would directly help the needy in the larger community, not just the parish.

"We decided to donate any money to the St. Vincent de Paul Society," she noted. "That way, the money will go back into the community, helping our neighbors that need it. That was very important to me."

(Parishes selling "Seasons of Love and Grace" include Immaculate Conception in Glenville, 399-9168, and St. Clement's in Saratoga Springs, 584-6122. The CD will also be sold at locations throughout Saratoga and Schenectady counties. For information or to purchase a CD, call 399-5713. The cost is $10.)

(5/27/04)