Community Corner
Holy Savior Academy's Handbell Choir to perform Sunday at cathedral in Metuchen
SOUTH PLAINFIELD: Fourteen eighth-graders in Holy Savior Academy’s Advanced Handbell Choir have been chosen to perform at St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Metuchen on Sunday, Nov. 24.
The choir is part of Solemn Vespers for the Closing of the Year of Faith, beginning at 5 p.m. The Most Rev. Paul G. Bootkoski, Bishop of Diocese of Metuchen, will be presiding.
About 100 adult singers, 30 youth and 80 middle choirs from throughout the diocese also will be performing.
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The students in Holy Savior Academy Advanced Handbell Choir have been practicing once a week since September, said Daniel C. Mahoney, music teacher at the school. The eighth-graders, all 13 or 14 years old, have been giving up their recess to practice for the Nov. 24 performance, he said.
“They’re proud of their accomplishments, proud to represent the Academy,” said Mahoney, who is also the Director of Sacred Music at Church of the Sacred Heart, South Plainfield and Chapter Director of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians for the Diocese of Metuchen. “They love to share their talent with others.”
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He said the students have rung before in front of a large audience but they will be ringing their most difficult piece yet. One of the pieces they will be ringing, Mahoney said, has a difficulty rating of 3 out of a possible 5 because it is very intricate. The students will be performing “Joyful Hallelujah” and Haydn’s “The Heavens Are Telling.”
All are welcome to see Holy Savior Academy’s Handbell Choir perform at the cathedral.
Next month, bringing the sounds of Christmas, the Advanced Handbell Choir along with the school’s newly formed Vocal Choir will be performing at McAuley Hall for the retired Sisters of Mercy in Watchung.
