Alpha Mass

Tonight, Papa Rooster, B16 and I are singing with the Choral Arts Society of Southeastern Wisconsin, at a church in Racine.  You actually would have to pay to come hear us!  We've been practicing with them for the past six Tuesday nights.

The director of this group is a new friend of ours; he and his wife have been coming to our church for the past six months or so.  He was so excited about this piece--Glenn Burleigh's Alpha Mass--that I expressed interest, and he invited not just me, but Papa Rooster and any of our teens, to join his choir for this special performance.

Alpha Mass is a traditional choral mass following the Latin form, with a Kyrie, a Sanctus, a Gloria, an Alleluia and other elements like a Credo and a setting of the Lord's Prayer.  But the music is in a non-traditional gospel style, often easing into something more like a spiritual or a gospel hymn, accompanied by a jazz ensemble of piano, organ, bass and percussion.

Oh, here is an article all about it.

I've never sung gospel before, and I'm really enjoying it!  I'm singing second soprano, and mostly it's melody with the firsts, so I've had it pretty easy.  Papa Rooster is pushing himself to reach the first tenor notes and find those difficult harmonies, since that section needs the most help, and B16 is sitting with the second tenors and singing what he can.  He wasn't particularly eager to join us at first, but we knew it would be such a good experience for him that we provided an incentive, and he's warmed up to the group and to the task as we've gone along.  We've all been so impressed with the director and how inspirational and helpful he is!  Wow, does he ever know how to draw out the best in a group, and lead you safely through a complicated score.

I woke up this morning with one of the sections stuck in my head--words of joyful praise and affirmation.  I'm so excited for tonight!

If it had been Mother,
Who opened doors when doors were closed for me,
I'd give her the praise.
I'd give her the praise.
If it had been Father, Sister, Brother,
Who set my spirit free,
I'd give 'em the praise.
I'd give 'em the praise.


But it was Jesus,
Who opened doors when doors were closed for me,
I'll give Him the praise.
I'll give Him the praise.
But it was Jesus, 
Who opened doors and set my spirit free,
I'll give Him the praise.
I'll give Him the praise.


Let's give Him the glory...
Glory...
Due His name!


Let's give Him the glory...
Glory...
Due His name!