The Singers rehearse in St Leo’s, Dumbreck, on Sunday evenings from 7.00 to 9.00. They sing for Archdiocesan and parish liturgies, for Glasgow Churches Together celebrations and for some civic events.

Their repertoire balances the richness of music of the past while developing resources for the needs of people at prayer today. They are directed by Mgr Gerry Fitzpatrick, Dr Noel S Donnelly, and Dr Elaine Moohan with Jane McKenna as organist.

New members are always welcome. Prospective members are welcome to the choir should speak to one of the directors or telephone St Leo’s at 0141 427 0293.

St Mungo Singers Welcome and Information August

BACKGROUND The St Mungo Singers was founded to provide an opportunity for singers to enjoy music, while promoting the development of good liturgical music and practice in the parishes of the Archdiocese of Glasgow

Mgr Gerry Fitzpatrick, Dr Noel Donnelly and Dr Elaine Moohan are the Musical Directors. Jane McKenna is the organist.

The St Mungo Singers has a history of supporting and leading a wide variety of events in three main areas, Archdiocese of Glasgow, Ecumenism through Glasgow Churches Together (GCT), and civic religious events with Glasgow City Council.

This has included Masses for the installation of Archbishop Winning, his 40th anniversary and also his funeral, the ordinations of Bishops Devine and Renfrew, the Installation Mass for Archbishop Conti and his Golden Jubilee. Special archdiocesan events have included several ‘Masses for Musicians’, celebrations for the centenaries of St Margaret, St Columba, St Mungo, Blessed John Duns Scotus, St Paul, the 5th centenary of the Archdiocese of Glasgow and many more. Yearly events include The Mass of Our Celtic Roots, RCIA, Pentecost and Holy Thursday.

Ecumenical services have included St Andrew’s Day, Christian Unity and the feast of St Mungo. Support for the City Council has involved the choir in Glasgow the Welcoming City and Carols for Peace in the City Chambers and the Blessing of the Crib at George Square.

This is just an example of the breadth of involvement the choir has in Church and City life in Glasgow. However the choir travels much farther afield both in Britain and foreign countries including Whithorn, Lochgilphead, Alloa, York, the Holy Land, Rome and Salamanca. Last year, the year of St Paul, saw members of the choir in Malta.

INFORMATION and GUIDELINES Welcome to the St Mungo Singers. We do hope you enjoy being a member of the choir.

MEMBERSHIP Rehearsals take place weekly on Sundays 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm in St Leo the Great, with a short break for tea. Music is distributed prior to rehearsals beginning therefore you should arrive by 6.45 in order that we can start promptly. If you are unable to attend rehearsals please notify your music distributor, who will record this information, but please remember that time spent in rehearsals enhances the quality of the choir. People with particular difficulties regarding attendance should speak to Fr Gerry.

NEW MEMBERS and REGISTRATION: You should introduce yourself to Fr Gerry who will direct you to Noel or Elaine who will carry out a voice test. You will then be introduced to Elspeth, who will allocate you a seat and introduce you to your music distributor then Bridget or Catrine for registration.

FEES: The Membership Fee is £20 payable by December. Fees are collected by the following people: BRIDGET – ALTOS ; CATRINE – SOPRANOS; NICK – TENORS; DOUGIE – BASSES.

STANDARD MUSIC: The choir Golden Book, The New Church Anthem Book, and the Bob Chilcott Anthem Book. Additional music will be distributed as and when required.

UNIFORM
WOMEN: Black blouses, black skirt or trousers, black tights and shoes and City of Glasgow tartan scarves. On occasion white blouses may be requested, you will be informed in advance of any changes. Remember that some churches and venues can be cold therefore you should take a jacket or cardigan the same colour as the blouse i.e. black or white. MEN: White shirts, black trousers and shoes and City of Glasgow tartan ties, jackets if worn should be black. Scarves and ties can be purchased from Glasgow Museum Gift Shops, or see Elspeth.

SEATING AT EVENTS When singing at other venues it will not always be possible to sit in the row or position you have been allocated for rehearsals. Very often we do not know the seating plan prior to the event therefore it may take several moves before the choir is seated appropriately. Your co-operation is required, if you are unable to attend an event PLEASE LET YOUR MUSIC DISTRIBUTOR KNOW. Any gaps in seating will be filled 15 minutes before the event starts, if you arrive after this you will have to sit where a position is available. Please remember that your voice is still important no matter where you sit, and you may also enjoy the opportunity to get to know someone else!!

TIME AND VENUE FOR EVENTS Date, time and venue for events will be advertised in advance. Choir members should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to start time to allow rehearsal and seating allocation, remember gaps in seating will be filled approximately15 minutes before the event starts.

FUND RAISING Membership fees help to offset the cost of music but do not cover all of the choir costs. To assist with additional costs it is necessary to raise additional funds. St Mungo Music is the publishing arm of the Archdiocesan Music in the Liturgy Committee. Books and CD’s are on sale to subsidise music and travel costs to venues out-with Glasgow. So remember that rehearsals are recorded and these are used for the CD’s!!!

We hope you find this information helpful and that you feel you are part of something that is worthwhile, enjoyable and supportive to others.

Social Committee Elspeth Glasgow (Chair person), Mary Bradley, Bridget Devlin, Gerry Healy, Catrine Kerr, Maureen McGarry, Nick McGarry, Ellen MacLeod, Anne Marie Martin, Marie McNeill, Ann Millar, Dougie Millar, Suzanne Rae, Nancy Scott.

Summary Registration: Bridget – altos, Catrine – sopranos Nick – tenors Dougie – basses Voice check Noel Donnelly or Elaine Moohan

Seating Elspeth Glasgow 332 4824

Secretary of St Mungo Music Mary Bradley 427 6740

Treasurer Grace Buckley 427 7646