Choir time is family time

In the midst of pondering the impact the Saturday 4:30 Youth Choir has had on the parishioners at St. Elizabeth Seton, director Donna Campbell recalled a quote often attributed to St. Augustine. 

“To sing is to pray twice,” she said, which is the attitude St. Elizabeth Seton’s afternoon choir has adopted through its melodic performances during Mass each Saturday for nearly a decade now. 

The group, a mainstay of the Newmarket, Ont., parish’s Saturday afternoon liturgy, was conceived in 2014 at the request of Campell’s daughter, Andora. 

“Terry McCann was the choir director in 2014 and I remember at Mass it was poor Terry all by himself doing the music while playing the guitar. My family attended a 4:30 Mass and Andora, who was only eight at the time, was completely moved by Fr. Roy and absolutely spellbound by the music,” Campbell said. “It was at her insistence that we went over and introduced ourselves to Terry and the rest is history — we became a family of the 4:30 choir.” 

As Campbell found herself more involved following McCann’s retirement, she had the idea to increase the parish youth’s involvement through the choir which saw a regular lineup form consisting of 10-15 children with ages ranging from as young as six all the way up to young adults. 

While the lineup has changed over the years, cantors Andora Campbell and Jullia Lara, along with pianist Piol Lara, have remained the driving forces behind the choir. In recent years, bassist Noah Morrissey joined to round out the lineup.

“Some of these kids have been with us since they were eight years old and the parishioners have seen these kids not just grow up, but grow in their music. They have developed all kinds of appreciation for us which has helped us grow immensely,” Campbell said.

“It really warms my heart to see how absolutely in love they are with performing and being a part of the Mass,” Andora added. 

The energy the choir brings to each Mass and the involvement of the congregation has seen the 4:30 choir promoted to perform at Easter Vigil as well as Christmas Eve Masses at St. Elizabeth, a testament to its undeniable talent and popularity within the parish. 

Last month, the choir brought its talents from the church to the rink when it was invited to perform during the intermission of the Toronto Marlies hockey game against the Utica Comets on April 7.

“The Toronto Marlies marketing team had heard of us through our website before reaching out to Fr. Roy and asking if we would be interested in performing at a game,” Campbell said. “We performed ‘Any Dream Will Do’ from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with all of the childrens’ families there. The whole experience just solidified the whole aspect of all of us being part of a big family wherever we are.” 

On the back of an unforgettable experience performing for Marlies’ fans, the choir continues to allow the youth to express their faith before the congregation. 

“While music is such an integral part of our church at any age or experience level, our youth choir provides an avenue for the young people to actively participate in the church community. That engagement can lead to a stronger sense of commitment to the church among our young people,” Campbell said. 

“It’s also about bridging those generational gaps that we tend to have within the church community,” Andora said. “This choir provides opportunities for connections between our young members and our older adult congregation and it has been amazing to see how much that benefits the kids.”

What started on the whim of a child enthralled by her church’s opportunity for musical growth has now become a true hidden gem within the Archdiocese, one that continues to grow into a group that relationship-wise, far exceeds that of any local band.

“I want people to know that this choir is more than just a musical ensemble, it is a family. Each member brings their talents, passion and stories with them every week and yes, we sing, but we are also very united to the parish with love that inspires and uplifts one another as well,” Campbell said.

More information, including live musical performances, can be found at https://sites.google.com/view/430-choir-ses/home?authuser=0.