FEBRUARY 2018 ISSUE
This month's music feature



The LASchola sings 'Kyrie' from William Byrd's  Mass for Four Voices , recorded live at the Latin Vigil Mass on 18 February 2017.
February Music Calendar


SATURDAY, 3 FEBRUARY, 5:00p
Latin Vigil Mass with the LASchola
Music: An array of mostly-Mozart gems


SUNDAY, 4 FEBRUARY, 10:30a
High Mass
Anthem: 'Nunc dimmitis' from 3 Choral Responses by Amy Beach


SUNDAY, 11 FEBRUARY, 10:30a
High Mass
Anthem: Prayer of St. Theresa by David Conte


WEDNESDAY, 14 FEBRUARY, 7:30p
Ash Wednesday High Mass
Anthem: Nolo mortem peccatoris by Thomas Morley


SUNDAY, 18 FEBRUARY, 10:30a
High Mass
Anthem: Scapulis suis (Gregorian Chant)


SUNDAY, 25 FEBRUARY, 10:30a
High Mass
Anthem: Jesu dulcis memoria by Tomás Luis de Victoria
Looking ahead . . .


Thursday, 29 March, 7:30p
Maundy Thursday High Mass
Anthem: Ubi caritas by Ola Gjeilo


Friday, 30 March, 7:30p
Good Friday Mass of the Pre-Sanctified
Anthem: Vinea mea electa by Michael Haydn


Saturday, 31 March, 7:30p
The Great Vigil of Easter
Music: Joseph Haydn's Mass No. 1 in G Major, John Rutter's Gloria, festive Easter hymns, and more!


Sunday, 1 April, 10:30a
Easter Day High Mass
Music:  Joseph Haydn's  Mass No. 1 in G Major , John Rutter's  Gloria , festive Easter hymns, and more!

Parish Clergy & Staff

Canon Ian Elliott Davies, Rector

Fr. Mark D. Stuart, Asst. Priest

Canon John Crean, Asst. Priest

Dea. Walter Johnson, Deacon

Dr. Jeffrey Parola, Master of the Music

Mr. Weston Harris, Organ Builder

Mr. Joseph Warren, Secretary

Mrs. Anahi Van Zandweghe, Bookkeeper

Mr. Eddie Garcia, Sexton

Mrs. Debby Driscoll, Parish Nurse
Parish Website

 
Join Our Mailing List
The Season of Lent



Lent is upon us, officially beginning on Ash Wednesday, which falls on 14 February this year. A penitential season, the faithful are called to sacrifice and reflection, as we prepare for Christ's passion, death, and glorious resurrection. Music prepared for Lenten liturgies at St. Thomas aspires to match the tone of the season. The Chant Mass will return for the duration of the season, organ accompaniments of hymns will be scaled back, and incidental organ improvisations and postludes will fall silent until Easter Vigil. This is a beautiful tradition that "clears the air" and opens space for deep prayer and contemplation.
Latin Vigil Mass with the LASchola



8 voices of the LASchola return to the Latin Vigil Mass at St. Thomas on 3 February at 5:00 PM . The music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart accompanies the Mass, including his rarely-heard Missa Brevis in D Minor , 'Laudate pueri' from Vesperae solennes de confessore , and a beautiful motet,  God is our refuge . The Missa  was written by Mozart two weeks before his 13th birthday, and God is our refuge  was written when he was only 9! These are stunning works by a precocious Mozart, perfectly suited for the ethereal and deeply prayerful Latin Vigil Mass at St. Thomas. Dr. Christopher Gravis guest conducts, and Dr. Jeffrey Parola accompanies on the organ. A reception follows in the Large Parish Hall. Please join us, and bring lots of friends and family!
Organ Project Update



The "Positiv Organ" has recently been taken offline for its completion. This is the section of pipes visible on the north wall in the west transept. This tonal division is based on classic Germanic organ tone, featuring clear transparent tones, some with "articulation" (a beginning chiff sound as the pipe plays). The main Flute set-pipes that look like wood-is from the historic organ once at St. Athanasius Episcopal Church (location of the current Cathedral Center at Echo Park lake). The shiny tower pipe set is from the Cecil B. DeMille organ originally at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Hollywood. The "Prinzipal" set is from the pre-1988 St. Thomas organ. The set with a red ring around its top is from the historic 1904 Los Angeles Art organ which is at the core of the St. Thomas AIDS Memorial instrument.

This section is now being completed with the addition of 4 additional voices which completes the core tonal ensemble of the section. One set named "Scharff" (a brilliant sharp tone) was given to organ builder Weston Harris for the St. Thomas organ by a Canadian organist attending a concert at the church when the instrument was first completed in 1990.
Concert Canceled

Please take note: The Brooklyn, NY-based choir, Choral Chameleon , has canceled the LA leg of their West Coast tour; consequently their performance at St. Thomas, originally scheduled for 4 May, has been canceled.
Calling All Singers



The St. Thomas Choir continues to look for volunteer singers: sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses! Singing in the Parish Choir is a fun and meaningful way to give to the community, all-the-while learning how to effectively and skillfully sing the musical treasury of the Church. To inquire and/or schedule an audition, please click here to contact the Master of the Music, Dr. Jeffrey Parola.