OLM CHOIR
OLM Choir
A multinational group of parishioners have united to form a unique blend of talent and spirit to praise God in the liturgy of the Mass. The choir performs hymns from all over the world combining a diverse range of vocal capabilities and instruments. Practices are held an hour before Mass and by prior arrangement.
MORE ABOUT US
Our OLM Choir has over 40 more or less regular members ranging in age from 11 to 70+, and in true OLM fashion, about 8 nationalities are currently represented! Of course, new members are always welcome - just come to the Parish rooms at 10.15 on Sunday morning to sing with us.
WHO ARE WE?
Let us introduce some of the many faces that make up our unique choir.
Click on the photo to learn a little more about that choir member
Choir Director: Elke Wilson
Elke Wilson
Elke's main role involves selecting the hymns and the music for the Mass parts for each Sunday, directing the choir in song during Mass and organising choir rehearsals and music for special occasions (e.g. fund raisers).
Pianist: Daniel Rueda
Daniel Rueda
Our pianist Dani does not just simply accompany us. It is through his extraordinary musical talent that we interpret our music or give "old" hymns a new touch - the heart of our style. Without him and his talent we would not be able to do our job well, his musical judgement and advice being indispensable.
Cantors: Delories Dunn de Ayuso and Judy MacInnes
The cantors' role is to lead the congregation in song, and to sing the solo parts of the liturgy, such as the verses of the Psalms. We are lucky to have so much talent within our choir that we can enjoy many different people and their voices on the Psalms.
Delories Dunn de Ayuso
Delories, or DD as she likes to be known, is a truly gifted lady, with a wonderful voice and a big heart to go with it. She is as much at home singing the Kyrie as she is with Wade in the Water, my personal favourite among DD's OLM repertoire. An all-American girl in the true Doris Day style, she is an inspirational cantor at OLM.
Judy MacInnes
Guitarists: Carlos Fernandez Tapia, Alex Esclamado, José Ramón García
Carlos Fernandez
Alex Esclamado
José Ramón García
Percussion: Marcel Adolphus
Marcel Adolphus
Marcel is an outstanding percussionist. He not only adds the perfect beat to any of our uplifting hymn, he also enhances gentle songs through the soft touch of his congas. Hearing is believing!
WHAT DO WE DO?
We sing! We sing with the aim to encourage and guide as many of the assembly as possible in the singing, which forms such as fundamental part of our Mass. We do not intend to perform. Yes, at times we will sing a hymn that does not ask for the assembly's participation but most of the time we ask you to sing with us. We select each Sunday's music carefully to reflect the readings and the Gospel as well as trying to cover as many styles and tastes as possible. We try to make our music as diverse as our Parish! This is all done in an effort to improve our community's worship experience and therefore bring us closer to the Lord through music. Over the last years, we also organized 2 successful fundraiser concerts held at our church: "Rain Down" and "St. Cecilia Celebration". CDs of the live recordings are available. For a first "taste" from our last concert click on the link : here
CHILDREN'S MASS
Every first Sunday of the month one of the children's CCD classes prepare the Mass. The children become our readers, they welcome the community and recently we have encouraged them to participate in the preparation of the music, as well. Our choir director practices a song with them and they also cantor the response to the Psalm.
WHERE DO WE REHEARSE?
We rehearse with the whole choir each Sunday at 10.15 in the Parish rooms. Recently, we have added a midweek rehearsal every 2 weeks on a Monday evening at 20.15. The Choir Director often gives CDs or sends MP3 files to choir members to help them learn their songs.