From the Choirmaster

From the Founder

Why do we do this? If we are to answer this then we must ask ourselves 'what is it that we are doing?'

I can't answer this question for each of you with certainty, I can only say for certain why I do this and speculate on the possible reasons that each of us may participate.

I have been a musician almost my entire life. I have sung in some very fine chorales and for over 25 years, I was a member of a marvelous Brass Choir where I was the French Horn player. Most of my musical endeavors have taken place as a church musician and it has brought me much joy. It is very satisfying to realize that as a church musician you have assisted the congregations in their efforts to meditate and praise God. As a musician, you bring comfort to many worshipers. This is an activity that should never be taken lightly. Music is such an integral part of the human condition that it must be a special torture not to be able to listen to it or participate in its making.

The only thing that would be better for me then to provide a musical experience for others to listen to would be to teach others to bring an unforgettable musical experience to a congregation or audience.

For you as choristers, you are lucky enough to be on both the receiving and giving end of this equation. You are being given a gift and you are giving a gift. A very powerful gift it is too. Have you realized yet that you as 8 to 12 year old boys have brought adults to tears with the beauty of your musical efforts. It isn't our goal to make people cry but, under the right circumstances, you as choristers carry the power within you to move adult people to tears. You have given a very precious gift, the gift of yourself. In the process of learning to do this, you may have in turn come to realize that YOU have been given a gift. God has blessed you with a beautiful voice and the determination to use it for his glory. Many boys have beautiful voices but they are not as fortunate as you to actually have a place and a reason to give it to others. What you participate in, a boys choir, is rare indeed and this will be treasured in your memories long after you have grown. Take a moment now and look into your imagination at your future. You will speak of your experiences as a chorister with your daughters and sons even to your grand daughters and grand sons of the gifts you gave and the people. You may tell with pride how you touched and inspired with your gift. You may in the future be as fortunate as I have been and teach others how to give a gift of music that moves and inspires people and worships God. At this point, you can consider yourself the most fortunate of all. Keeping this in mind, take advantage of this opportunity. Go about your mission with love and reverence. Bend your boyish energy to making yourself the best chorister you can possibly be. Nothing sounds as wonderful as a boy lifting his voice in praise.

Appreciate all your parents do for you that makes your participation possible. You may never know the sacrifices that they have made for you. Even so, thank them and tell them again how grateful you are that they have made the giving of your musical gifts possible. Remember their love for you and also remember God's love for you.

"The boy who sings prays twice!"

Michael T. Bradley

Choirmaster

Pueri Cantores of Holy Family

(reprinted from "The 'Note'worthy News", Vol. I, Issue 2)