Today’s blog
Lynn Murphy Mark
A weekend interlude
As if a jazz orchestra concert on Friday wasn’t enough, there was another wonderful offering at church yesterday afternoon. We have had plans to host the Saint Alphonsus “Rock” Gospel Choir for some months now and the day finally came. The performers arrived, around 20 people, and their Director, Danny DuMaine led them in a warm up. I was in the office counting money, as a dutiful treasurer does. I could hear the ma-me-mi-mo-mu exercise that is a staple for singers to stretch their vocal cords, gently, of course, saving the best for later.
Mr. DuMaine was our featured musician during church service. That man has a command of the ivories that has to be heard to be believed. When he plays, his focus is intense as he navigates and maneuvers the keyboard and produces beautiful sound. One of his vocalists, Connie Pierce, sang two songs resulting in standing ovations and some “hooting” sounds from the congregation. I think she channels angels when she sings, putting her whole body and soul into the song.
They took their places on the stage at 1:30. The audience settled in quietly, while one of the singers took the microphone and urged us all to get into the music – clap, stand up, speak it out loud, move our bodies, and anything else we were moved to do. She started the audience talking back to her, “Yes!”, “Amen”, we said. We got a proper invitation into the spirit of the afternoon. Little did we know we would spend a fair amount of time on our feet, clapping to the rhythm and swaying. It couldn’t be helped – this kind of musicianship invites the whole body to join the experience.
I thought about church services where people sit quietly in their pews. That has been my main experience as a Protestant congregant since around 1982 when I finally joined a church. We listen politely. Most churches that I am familiar with don’t tolerate clapping or any vocal expressions of gratitude. The concert yesterday was not a church service – except for the wholly spiritual and physical energy that filled the sanctuary. I would say that it was one of the best “services” I’ve attended.
Saint Alphonsus Ligouri “Rock” Catholic Church is in the city of Saint Louis. It has been there since 1867, serving a large African American congregation – not limited by any color barriers. It is a mission-driven church, recognizing the needs of the community and responding in kind with a variety of ministries. Music is one of them. With two gospel choirs, the church literally rocks on Sundays. Yesterday afternoon at First Unity Church of Saint Louis, the choir blew the roof off the place.
Four women each sang solo pieces. I don’t know their names, but I will remember their faces and their voices for a long time to come. During one piece I was in tears at the beauty of their harmony. The two women sang “The Prayer”, which was about the only quiet piece that was offered. Most of the concert evoked shouts of praise, clapping, standing, arm raising, and general enthusiasm for over an hour. Danny DuMaine led them from an electronic keyboard in front of the stage. He actually didn’t have to do a lot of conducting. His singers know the material, obviously love to sing it, and gave us in the audience a performance that we’ll be talking about for a long time.
At First Unity, Steve Schenkel is our Music Director. He has been in the music scene in Saint Louis for years playing in places like the Symphony, the Rep, the Fox, and the Muni. He plays guitar like nobody’s business for one thing. But the best thing about Steve is that he knows so many talented performers in the Saint Louis area. And, we are the beneficiaries of his contacts. We get the best of Saint Louis people every Sunday in church. That is a blessing that you can’t put a price to. Thank you, Steve!