San Antonio choir is invited to sing at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome
It’s a Wednesday afternoon and members of the Saint Anthony Choristers pay rapt attention as Sandra Lau, their director, runs through a practice.
They sing portions of several hymns as they prepare for a special Mass, celebrating the sacrament of confirmation, at Saint Anthony of Padua Church in San Antonio.
Lau is exacting, but kind.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
She coaxes the singers to think about the meaning of the text and to convey that through their dynamics.
“This basically is a song of rejoicing,” she reminds them during one hymn. “It doesn’t always have to be loud, but it needs to have that sense of energy. That excitement.
“Let’s try again,” she said.
During other songs, she urges them to articulate the words they’re singing and to be mindful of not only the notes, but of their timing and duration.
Although this rehearsal is to prepare for confirmation, the choral group also is preparing to present a public concert of sacred music planned for 3 p.m., at the church, on June 28.
The choir sings in other venues, too, such as Orlando and Washington D.C.
In December, some of them will make a pilgrimage to Vatican City.
They’ll join choirs from all over the world to offer their voices in song at the New Year’s Day Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Basilica.
The Mass will conclude the 40th International Congress of Pueri Cantores.
Pueri Cantores, which means “little singers” in Latin, founded in France in 1907.
The organization is dedicated to the conviction that singing can be an instrument in worshipping God.
Saint Anthony Choristers is part of the largest delegation of American singers ever to participate in a Pueri Cantores Congress, with almost 2,000 pilgrims expected to travel from the United States to Rome.
Other activities during the week include the “Mass of the Nations,” where the American choirs will celebrate a Mass in English in the Basilica of St. John Lateran, various “Concerts of Hope” at major churches in Rome, featuring an international mix of children’s choirs from among Pueri Cantores’ 37 federations around the world, and a private audience with the Holy Father, at which the “little singers” will sing Christmas carols from their home countries.
While the upcoming trip to Rome is exciting, many choir members said they enjoy the weekly rehearsals, as well as singing at the 10:30 a.m. Mass the first Sunday of the month during the school year and for special occasions such as confirmation, first Communion, Christmas Eve and Easter.
Lau has been the organist and choir director at St. Anthony of Padua since 1987, and has had children’s choirs almost the entire time.
The Saint Anthony Choristers became affiliated with Pueri Cantores in 2007, expanding the choir’s opportunities to participate in regional festivals and international choral gatherings.
Many of the singers in the choir have belonged for several years.
“I really like the experience,” said 13-year-old Holly Phelps. “We have a great director, and it helps train your voice, and you get to sing for lots of events.”
Sixteen-year-old Rose Phelps has been with the choir for nine years. “I love singing for church,” she said.
Eighteen-year-old Shanon Teicher said the experience has helped her become more outgoing.
“I joined the choir being super shy,” she said. It was her way of getting more involved with the church, but she said, “It’s so much more than that.”
Emily Balling, 15, has been in the group for more than five years.
“I really love it,” Balling said.
She’s enjoyed singing at music festivals and is excited about the upcoming trip to Rome.
“It just sounds so amazing when you have all of those voices together,” she said.
Tierra Carson, 16, who is thinking about majoring in organ or piano, said the choral singing is all about working together to create a unified effect.
Fifteen-year-old Alexis Rosario said she’s had a passion for music for as long as she can remember.
She’s been playing piano since age 6, and also plays harp and violin.
“I’ve had a great passion for music ever since I was born.
She loves being in the choir because of “all of these harmonies and praising God at the same time.”
She’s excited about the pilgrimage.
“To be able to go to Rome, that’s huge,” Rosario said.
This is the second time the church has sent members of its youth choir to Rome; the other time was five years ago, Lau said.
And, two years ago, members of the group took part in the International Congress in Washington D.C.
Lau, who herself fell in love with music when she was attending Saint Anthony Catholic School, is confident that the upcoming experience will leave a lasting impression.
“It is life-changing. It is fantastic,” Lau said.
There will be thousands of children singing together.
“They may be sitting next to somebody from France on this side, Portugal on this side, Germany — it’s just an amazing experience for them.”
Lau hopes the experience will be transformative, too.
“What we’re hoping is that this will help them to fall more deeply in love with the Catholic Church and realize they are a small part of something huge and beautiful,” Lau said.
What: Saint Anthony Choristers will present a public concert of sacred music
When: 3 p.m., June 28
Admission: Free, donations accepted
Where: Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 12144 Joe Hermann Drive, San Antonio
Pilgrimage to Vatican City
Who: Saint Anthony Choristers
When: Dec. 26 through Jan. 2
How much: Each pilgrim must raise $3,000 to $4,000 required for flights, lodging, meals, and activities in Italy. If you would like to help, call the church office at (352) 588-3081.
Published June 17, 2015
