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Music Director, Organist Ron's ministry includes planning and accompanying all liturgies, coordination and training with the cantors, Parish Chorus, sub organist and musicians. Cantors Sally, Jean, Kristen, Joan and Geri are dedicated people who love music in the liturgy. Every weekend and at funerals and weddings, our cantors help raise our voices in song to worship the Lord. View the Cantor Photo Gallery here . Chorus The Parish Chorus is open to kids, seniors and everyone in-between. We sing the communion meditation hymn once a month at the Assumption 10:30am Sunday Mass (except for the summer months). Our next song will be presented on January 31. We received a special blessing for our ministry on November 15, 2009. Our inter-generational chorale entertains the folks of our local assisted living homes twice a year. The residences are Anna Erika, Staten Island Care Center and Lakeside Manor in Silver Lake. This is a wonderful and fun ministry for both the residents and our choristers alike! We just finished making our Christmas visits bringing a lot of joy to many folks. A big thank you to Nick, Lynne, Paula and Eddy, Alan, Peter, Gilbert and our newest member, Ray. Thanks, too, to William for joining us at Lakeside Manor. Additionally, music appreciation lectures and piano lessons are part of our reherarsals. Consider joining our ranks. Weekly rehearsals are on Sundays at Noon at the Assumption Catechetical Center. 
A big thank you to Lynne for all the years she has assisted the Chorus and the St. Paul Songbirds and Songbells. She has moved to New Jersey and will be missed. We welcome Ray who has made the transition to become the new assistant. Ray is also a singer and happens to be Ron's brother. Sub Organist On the rare occasion that you don't see Ron at the console, there is a gifted young man from Silver Lake at the keyboard. His name is Christian Kinsella. The Regis High School senior, who has achieved high honors and who performs violin, aspires to attend Harvard. In January of 2009 he was invited to the Presidential Inauguration and Inaugural Ball to perform. We are very proud to have him accompany our liturgies here at Assumption-St. Paul. Funerals Your family will be offered the opportunity to choose music for the Mass of Christian Burial. You may select four hymns and a psalm from an extensive list. Weddings Please call in advance so we can sit down and plan the liturgical music for your special day.  Instrument Update  Assumption Church In the autumn of 2007, the organ underwent significant restoration and repairs. It received some much needed TLC and a tuning of its electronic components. Also, your music director ascended the bell tower for a general inspection. The organ chamber was thoroughly inspected and cleaned. In December of 2008, most of the pipes were tuned by your music director. They have not been tuned in twenty years. On September 3 and October 15, 2009 the organ was serviced again to correct some minor glitches and bring it in tip-top shape. A Suzuki keyboard was purchased summer of 2008 for use with the Parish Chorus and other events.  Chapel of Saint Paul The big Allen organ in Cohalan Hall is in good shape and ready for special occasions and feasts, Christmas and Easter. The Conn Minuet organ in the Chapel underwent a complete overhaul summer of 2008.  Assumption Organ The magnificent organ at the Assumption Church is a hybrid instrument containing both pipes and digital electronics installed in 1986. On August 15, 1987, the 65th anniversary of the Assumption Church and the Feast of Our Lady's Assumption into heaven, the organ was dedicated. The pipes in the 'new' organ were acquired from the original organ which is an M.P. Möller, Opus (serial number) 4369 installed in 1925. Currently, the pipe portion of the hybrid contains 146 pipes in two ranks called flutes and principals. The electronics portion and console is a Rodgers Essex Series 640. The twenty-three visible pipes that you see in the loft are just for show and are called "dummy" pipes. However, when the original organ was in use, these pipes were actually two octaves of working pipes producing the low bass tones. Behind them are the current working pipes, electronics and a blower motor to supply air to the instrument. The American Guild of Organists NYC Organ Project is an ongoing attempt to document the organs present and past that have been installed in the five boroughs of New York City. They have provided us a web page to view the details of the Assumption organ. This page, which includes photos of the organ and church as well as a short history can be viewed by clicking here . Unfortunately, pipe organs are of a dying breed of musical instrument, however, the church fully encourages the installation and restoration of such instruments. That is because they are unmatched in their power and beauty to inspire singing and to uplift the soul: 'In the Latin Church the pipe organ is to be held in high esteem, for it is the traditional musical instrument which adds a wonderful splendor to the Church's ceremonies and powerfully lifts up man's mind to God and to higher things.' - Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, article 120  |
