Folk group has sung many choruses

BY PAT PASTERNAK
STAFF WRITER

More than 40 years ago, some musicians and singers at St. John the Baptist parish in Schenectady started a folk music group for weekend Masses.

There was nothing unusual about that in the 1960s and '70s. What makes St. John's group unique is that they remain one of the few ensembles still playing together, not only at their parish but also as guest performers around the Albany Diocese.

Recently, for example, they played at the parishes of St. Francis in Northville and St. Joseph's in Broadalbin, singing at vigil Mass for the youth ministries.

"It was awesome," said the group's director, Debby Schaeffer. "We loved being there, and we all had a wonderful time."

Energy level

Ms. Schaeffer thinks the group is popular because of the energy and vitality that they exude when they perform.

"We are a high-energy group, and generate lots of participation and interaction with congregations," she said.

She has been involved with the music ministry at St. John's since 1967, when she was 13.

"In the early days, we had as many as 60 members in the group," she recalled. Today, there are about 18.

Diversity

She said that "we range in age from the very young to seniors. Right now, our youngest member is three years old and our oldest is 70. We have people from all walks of life.

"There hasn't been much turnover. People come and go, of course, when they move into or out of the parish; but our members are mostly seasoned musicians and singers that have been members for many years."

She makes it easy to join, noting: "I don't have auditions, and it isn't necessary to be able to read music. All a person needs is the desire to be part of the group. There are no soloists or cantors, and I don't strive for perfection. I have only two rules: (1) If you can't be at a certain Mass, mark yourself out on our attendance calendar; and (2) be on time for practice."

Family

Ms. Schaeffer said, "Everyone has fun; we're like a family. We play and sing the music the way we feel comfortable playing and singing it. When we get together to practice, we are serious about our singing; but often we laugh together and sometimes even cry together. We all get along fine because everyone leaves their egos at the door."

The group plays liturgical music in the upbeat, rock/gospel style that is their signature. Since they serve St. John's as the main choir, everyone who attends liturgy there is familiar with the songs.

"We sing the traditional folk songs that everyone remembers, but we also sing more traditional music," she noted. "Because of the instruments we use, we are limited to the style in which we sing. But everyone seems to enjoy it, and they all sing along."

Traveling

Ms. Schaeffer believes that the music group is also an outreach ministry because "we extend ourselves outside our own parish doors, and that isn't limited to Catholic organizations. We perform at Protestant churches and ecumenical organizations. We rarely turn down any invitation -- except when it conflicts with our ministry at St. John's.

"It is important to serve in the particular way you are called, where your joy and your skills are. Music is such a beautiful way to pray at the liturgy of the Mass. Good music is good liturgy, and good liturgy is good music. It's that simple."

(Debby Schaeffer has served her parish as a lector, usher and extraordinary minister of the Eucharist. She is a former parish council member and served as director of St. John's Prayer and Worship Team for eight years. The folk group has played for years at Martin Luther King Jr. memorials in Albany and at Hale Creek Correctional Facility in Johnstown.)

(01/17/08) [[In-content Ad]]