Park Avenue Youth Chorale

Hark! The Park Christmas Concert

2009-12-23T09:31:00.001-08:00

This first video is a "highlight reel" of the beautiful voices and magnificent music by the Park Avenue Christian Church choir and instrumental ensembles that inspired us on December 22.

The Park Avenue Youth Chorale.

The Gospel Choir.

The finale, with everyone joining in and singing.

Let All the World in Every Corner Sing

2009-11-18T09:21:00.000-08:00

Dear Singers,

What a great job on Sunday. Folks in the congregation said that they could hear you clearly from the choir loft, even from the front, and it was great to have so many of you singing.

This week we will sing "Let All the World in Every Corner Sing" which we've been working on for most of the fall. It's a challenging piece but I am confident that you are ready to present it in worship. To help you, here's a link to an mp3 file with the music so you can listen at home this week and prepare.

Also, this Sunday is Mr. Alvin's last day with us, so please join us after worship to thank him for all that he has done during his time with us.

Finally, we will not rehearse on Saturday, November 29 or sing in worship on November 29. Enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with your family and friends.

Keep up the good work, everyone!!

Mr. Paul

I'm Going on a Journey

2009-10-27T12:40:00.000-07:00

What a great Sunday! Great job helping the congregation learn a new hymn from Botswana. It was a joyous, uplifting service.

This Sunday we will sing, "I'm Going On a Journey" and I found an mp3 of the piece for you all to listen to: click here. I hope that it will help you to practice at home. I also want you to listen carefully to the choir that's singing. What do you think of their sound? Are they all singing together or do you hear some voices sticking out? Feel free to comment on whether you like it or not...and whether you think we can sing it better! (I think we can!)

Also a reminder that we are going to hear the American Boychoir in concert on Sunday, November 8 at 4 p.m. After worship that day, we'll have lunch and some time to hang out together. Then we'll have a short rehearsal of music for the upcoming Advent and Christmas seasons! And then at around 3:15 we'll head over to the church for the concert. You need to sign up by this Sunday so we can purchase tickets.

A final note: this Sunday is daylight savings so enjoy your extra hour as we "fall" back. However, it's also the running of the NYC Marathon which means public transportation will be a mess. I encourage you to take that into account so we all arrive in a timely way.

I look forward to seeing you all this week!!

Mr. Paul

We're back!!!

2009-10-02T13:38:00.000-07:00

After several months offline, the Park Avenue Youth Chorale blog is back! (applause!!) This is an important way for us to share important information, music, and to stay connected throughout the week. I encourage you to visit and check out updates from time to time.

I'll also use this space to post mp3s of music for the upcoming week. This week, I figured it might be fun to put a few different versions of Jubilate Deo online so you can hear them and compare. Which did you like? Which ones sounded like the choir was singing a good unison and open vowels? Which did not? And check out the great harmony that happens when it becomes a round sung in 4, 5, and even 6 parts. We'll get there soon, I'm sure.

Check these different versions and let me know what you think!

Look forward to seeing you at rehearsal on Saturday and in worship on Sunday morning!!

Mr. Paul

Hush!

2009-03-09T12:19:00.000-07:00

What a great Sunday! I hope you all enjoyed singing with the adult choir from the Choir Loft. And even though the pizza arrived a little late, it gave us a chance to get to know each other better.

This week we will be back at the front of the church to sing the Spiritual "Hush." We'll be joined by a talented saxophone player in the congregation as well as our fantastic accompanist, Mr. Alvin. I've included the music and an mp3 of the music for you.

You and your families are invited to a special Pancake Breakfast this Sunday from 9-11 p.m. So come and get some pancakes, fruit, and sausage before our warm-up and rehearsal at 10:15.

I look forward to seeing everyone on Wednesday at 4 p.m. or Saturday at 1 p.m. You can always come early to show me the work you're doing in your blue books (don't forget to keep looking ahead!!) and for some voice training.

Keep on singing,

Paul

Keep up the great work!

2009-03-05T13:20:00.000-08:00

Dear Youth Chorale,

I've been so pleased with these first few weeks of singing together and I hope that you feel great about them, too. As a way of celebrating we're going to have a pizza party in the Choir Room after right after church on Sunday. Be sure to let me know your favorite type of pizza in the comments section below.

This Sunday we will sing Forty Days and Forty Nights with the adult choir accompanied by the organ. So we will spend part of the service at the front of the church (called the chancel) and then we'll go to the Choir Loft about halfway through. I'll be curious to see what you think about how it sounds and feels to sing from up above!

Here is a copy of the music for Forty Days and Forty Nights. And you can also go click here to hear a sound file of the hymn. The arrangement that we will sing is different but this should help remind you of the melody!

I look forward to seeing you on Saturday at1 p.m. and again on Sunday morning at 10:15 a.m.

Keep on singing,

Mr. Vasile
pvasile@parkavenuechristian.com

Getting started!!

2009-02-17T11:37:00.000-08:00

Dear Youth Chorale,

This is my first post on our new blog!! (wild applause!!) Be sure to add this link to your bookmarks and check back often to find music, sound files and important info. You're welcome to leave your comments or questions for me, too. And if you find some cool music links or Youtube videos that relate to singing and choirs we can post them.

We will sing in our first worship service this Sunday, February 22! We will sing "Yo Soy la Luz del Mundo" and "Listen Now for the Gospel."

I have put links to the sheet music and a sound file below so you can download them and practice at home. Just click and sing along!

Yo Soy la Luz del Mundo - mp3 and sheet music
Listen Now for the Gospel - mp3 and sheet music

I look forward to seeing you in rehearsal this Wednesday at 4 p.m. or on Saturday at 1 p.m. Remember that you can always come early to practice music, ask questions and get some one-on-one help.

Keep on singing,

Mr. Vasile
pvasile@parkavenuechristian.com