On This Date in Nativity History
March 1974 – October 1976
(Our thanks to Debbie Doyle for this text, and to Don Lemieux and Mary Castellano for the photos.)
During the parish’s early years, music was provided entirely by volunteers and only on a sporadic basis. A choir could usually be assembled to sing during special Masses such as those at Christmas or New Years, but there was no permanent choir until much later. For example, the Bulletin for March 10, 1974, announced: “Easter Choir Now Forming. People who enjoy good music are asked to help form a choir to sing at the 9 a.m. Easter Mass. First meeting [March 14] at 7:30 at [Joe and Mary] Pettit’s.” By April a folk choir had been established but the bulletin of April 28 reminded parishioners that the choir “…is still in need of singers and musicians.”
One of the earliest parish handbooks, not dated but from about 1975, stated firmly that “music is a vital part of the celebration of the liturgy. At present we have people who volunteer to accompany the parishioners by playing the piano at various Masses. [One of these pianists was a parishioner from the St. Mary’s period, Mary Pettit.] A folk group is continually being formed to meet the desires at one of the weekly Masses. Leaders of songs are most needed, as well as a continual need for musicians. At major feasts a choir is most desirable. We would like to see a permanent choir in the immediate future.”
In the fall of 1976, the parish took a major step forward in its music program by hiring a professional music director. The October 17 bulletin announced: “SING TO THE LORD! Choir program to begin! Nativity Parish is pleased to announce and welcome Susan Smith, a graduate of Westminster Choir College as our new Music Director. She is organizing our choir program and would like to talk with interested parishioners. First rehearsal will be Wednesday, November 3rd, 7:30 P.M. at the Parish House.”
From these simple beginnings, music for Nativity Masses has evolved to comprise permanent choirs and cantors at all Masses, professional choir directors and pianists, assisted by many volunteer musicians, as these contemporary photos attest.
