A NEW SOUND

Michela Riccio conducts practice for the children’s choir inside the church hall at St. Mary’s in Amsterdam, as Father Nate Resila, pastor, joins in for a song. The children include: Valentina (from far l., back row), Cardenas, Arianna, Allison, Zephaniah and Fiona (front row) and Harrison. (Provided photo)

The hills of Amsterdam are alive with music — and a new choir!

St. Mary’s Church proudly welcomed a children’s choir to the parish this year. Music director Michela Riccio started the choir in January, and after a summer break, the group is back in action, practicing for their first monthly performance on Sunday, Nov. 3.

“Starting and building up a Catholic church children’s choir has been a lifelong dream of mine since childhood,” Riccio told The Evangelist via email. “Children have a natural love for music.”

Ten children are currently in the choir, between grades 1 and 8. With varying ages and levels of experience, Riccio said “it is awe-inspiring to me to observe the way in which the families and children have come to realize the unique elements that come together to make a joyful noise.”

This year, the choir will sing one Sunday in Ordinary Time, Nov. 3, one Sunday in Advent, Dec. 1, and one Sunday at Christmas, Dec. 29. The kids will continue singing one liturgy per month in 2025. Riccio plans to branch out the choir into the community and has already been invited to sing at the Susan Jane Sanford Nursing Home in Amsterdam. 

Riccio is always looking for new members, and all children, regardless of music experience, are invited and encouraged to join. 

Choir practice continues with Michela Riccio at the piano.

The children hold practice once a week on Sundays following the 10 a.m. Mass, which their families often stay to observe. They practice hymns from various parts of the Mass, such as “Kyrie eleison,” “Gloria,” responsorial psalms and Gospel acclamations. They also receive vocal training basics from the Voice for Life curriculum, which Riccio teaches. 

“The families are very supportive as they watch their children build confidence and projection skills, develop techniques to improve their voices and learn the importance of working together as a team,” Riccio said. “The children get to experience how their faith can grow and express itself through sacred music.”

Riccio, along with her three sisters, was raised on music in the church space. Born in Amsterdam, the family grew up attending and performing at St. Michael’s Church.

“We four sang in the choir of St. Michael’s Church when we were very young,” she said. “We sang at Christmas and at liturgies. We practiced our faith as children, developing our voices as we sang to God’s glory.”

 A younger Riccio (far r., bottom photo) sings with her sisters at their piano at home: Maria (from l.), Sophie and Connie.

Riccio said that early exposure to worshiping through music “proved to be altering for us. Three of the four of us later became music directors of our respective Catholic churches as adults.” Riccio’s sister, Maria, is music director for St. Luke’s Church in Schenectady, her sister, Sophie, was music director for St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Birmingham, Ala. 

St. Mary’s pastor, Father Nate Resila, and Deacon Joe Cechnicki were supportive of the children’s choir mission from the start. 

“The children’s choir will undoubtedly bring a beautiful and youthful vigor to the parish,” said Father Resila. “This will not only enhance the sacred liturgy tremendously but will vitalize the parish community at large. … Not only will (children) learn how to sing beautifully to glorify God, but they will develop an appreciation and affection for sacred beauty which will only continue to grow throughout the course of their lives.”

Riccio noted the choir is helped greatly by the “generous and supportive parishioners” who have offered supportive feedback and financial support for the choir. Some parishioners offered donations that helped pay for binders and study materials and the St. Mary’s Holy Name Society purchased choir robes for the children.

“It’s such a beautiful parish,” Riccio said. “This has a unique something. These people, they love their church.”

Riccio is seeking to grow the choir and hopes that it will continue to offer children a space to sing, praise and connect with God through song for years to come.

“If people ever think of me or have a Mass said for me, I’d like to be remembered for this,” she said. “Because I don’t want to just do it; I want to start it so it’s sustainable.”

To join or learn more about the St. Mary’s children’s choir, contact Michela Riccio at (518) 705-9468 or email [email protected].