This is a continuation of the previous three (!) Running Updates posts (here, here & here). With Advent & Christmas upon us, it was time for a new post. Be well, and have a happy, safe holiday season!
UPDATE: 10/03: Folks, an email just went out about virtual music possibilities for Christmas. I'm working on a 'virtual concert' idea using existing audio, photos & lyrics, but also wanted to see about the possibility of some kind of combined virtual choir. See email for details. Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks!
UPDATE: 10/19: Folks, just a quick update on the Christmas virtual choir idea: I was in touch with the other choirs about this and we're seeing if anyone else would be interested in participating. Once we have an idea of numbers, we can determine if this is something we want to do and if so, how to approach it. Thanks for the responses so far, and stay tuned!
UPDATE: 10/22: This year's Christmas Mass schedule just went out by email. Note there will only be two Masses, both in the Sanctuary using the same Zoom/In-Person format as Sunday liturgies.
Christmas Eve: 4 PM
Christmas Day: 10 AM
UPDATE: 11/05: All, a more detailed plan for the Christmas Virtual Choir went out by email last night. This will also be shared with the other choirs probably today. Let me know by 11/08 if you'd be interested in joining. Thanks!
UPDATE: 11/10: For those participating in the Christmas virtual choir, practice materials and more planning details went out by email. Stay tuned for more info.
UPDATE: 11/16: A Parish email went out today regarding (among other things) the revised Christmas Mass schedule and new Zoom invite for regular Masses.
Christmas Eve: 4 PM & 6:30 PM
Christmas Day: 10 AM
UPDATE: 11/19: Exciting news! Our virtual Christmas choir has been asked to participate in a Christmas show Tony DeGol/Proclaim! TV is producing in December.
UPDATE: 11/28: If you'd like to check it out, here's a small collection of recordings from past Advent seasons.
UPDATE: 11/30: Folks, I missed cross-posting this here yesterday. See email for details, but here's a final draft of the Christmas 'virtual concert' I've been working on. If you have time to take a look, I'd appreciate some more eyes on this to catch any errors/issues before it goes live on 12/12. Thanks!
UPDATE: 12/06: We'll be celebrating Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception this Tuesday, 12/08, at 7 PM (Zoom & In-Person as usual). Bev & I are covering. Instrumentalists are welcome to join.
UPDATE: 12/06: Here are posters for the upcoming releases of our two Christmas virtual music projects. Thanks to all who have been able to participate and/or support these!
UPDATE: 12/09: Our first virtual choir video for 'Finale' has been completed and sent to the Diocese. The second video for 'At Christmastide' is still in the works.
UPDATE: 12/10: The final version of our virtual Christmas concert is now posted as an unlisted YouTube video (see email for details). It's also available for download on Google Drive. This will go live on the Parish Facebook page Saturday, with the virtual choir videos posting the following weekend.
UPDATE: 12/10: Just wanted to share this article as well in case anyone would like to check this out. One of our virtual choir selections is being included in a Christmas program produced by the Diocese. Pretty cool!
UPDATE: 12/11: Folks, I'm told that today is Mr. Jim's birthday. If that's the case, Happy Birthday, Jim!
UPDATE: 12/11: In case you're looking for some more musical entertainment, Choral Society put together a virtual Christmas concert in place of our usual community event. Several of us from the Choirs sing (or have sung) with SCCS and are in these recordings, so just wanted to share :-).
UPDATE: 12/14: If you'd like to check it out, here's the audio from last weekend's Mass.
UPDATE: 12/18: A few of us have been working on some new virtual choir recordings for Christmas. The first of our selections is now available HERE (one more coming -- stay tuned). This will release to the Parish tomorrow. It'll also be included in a Diocesan Christmas special airing on WATM/ABC23 this Sunday, 11/20, at 1 PM. Hope you enjoy!
UPDATE: 12/20: For those who'd like to check it out, the TV special 'Joy to the World - Christmas in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown' is now available online HERE. Our virtual choir for 'Finale' is featured in the final segment. Thanks again to all for making this happen!
UPDATE: 12/22: Some info went out via email about the plan for Christmas Masses & signups. If you're attending in person, please do sign up. I'll be cantoring the 4 PM liturgy (instrumentalists are more than welcome to join) and Bev's playing for 10 AM Christmas Day.
UPDATE: 12/24: Folks, here's our final virtual choir/music video, again featuring 5:30 & 11 AM musicians. This is Fred Offutt's 'At Christmastide'.
UPDATE: 12/25: MERRY CHRISTMAS! Check out some photos in our FB group from last night's most unusual Christmas Eve Mass experience. Miss you guys!
UPDATE: 12/30: Folks, a quick note that Mass for New Year's Day / Solemnity of Mary will be celebrated on January 1st at 10 AM. Bev & I are covering. Instrumentalists are welcome to join as always. Happy New Year!
UPDATE: 12/30: I meant to share this sooner, but here's the audio from the 4 PM Christmas Eve Mass.
UPDATE: 01/03: If you'd like to check it out, here's the audio from Friday's New Year's Day/Solemnity of Mary Mass. Stay safe!
UPDATE: 01/11: Happy Birthday, Lisa!
UPDATE: 01/25: If you'd like to check it out, here's the audio from last Sunday, 01/24.
UPDATE: 01/25: One year ago today -- double-Baptism & planning dinner. Miss you guys!
Bell well, and Keep the Faith!
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