March 29, 2024

There’s another four-part choir

The recent article about the Congregational choir in the Daily News was quite interesting, and should have brought up the topic in other churches in our area. I am sure there are several more, which might be the subject for further historical stories.

We of the Sacred Heart Choir can tell the world, “We are very much alive with a four-part choir, doing well, with about two dozen dedicated members ... men and women of all ages.”

A little brief history about our choir, when Martha Polson was our choir director and Loretta Little was organist. The reason I remember is this was my first experience in the Bass section, along with about six or eight other men of all ages. Why Me ... l’ll keep it brief.

When I was in eighth grade in country school, I was an altar boy in our Church, which meant reciting a number of Latin phrases. My teacher knew this and asked if I would present a solo of “O Come All Ye Faithful” ... in Latin ... for our Christmas Program. So, I did which was to my mother’s great satisfaction. Mom thought it might be time for me to join our church choir and it came about in January 1948.

So, for the past 71 years I have remained as a member of bass section, through thick and thin. Most of the choir members of those days are gone, but at 85 I am still kicking. I sang in the U.S. Army Choir in 1956-1957 in Colorado and Germany. Traveling the world in succeeding years (76 Countries so far) I generally join existing choirs and find it soul satisfying.

Another unusual performance in famous churches and cathedrals from Rome to Moscow is to go to the front altar during a quiet time, and sing the Our Father (Pater Noster) in Latin, which I also know by heart. This somewhat shocks my family, but that’s OK.

I started singing the Pater Noster in honor of Msgr. Thomas J. McCann (1881-1973) who was pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Newton for 63 years starting in 1910. He was loved and admired in our community all these years and beautifully sang the Pater Noster from the altar in his melodious deep voice during the Christmas and Easter Season.

Old Timers in Newton still fondly remember this history. I will continue this somewhat unusual practice as long as I am able. End of my story for the day.

John McNeer

Newton