Travels

Orbost - December 2008

I travelled to Orbost with Anne Taylor (CEO Warragul) at the beginning of the Advent Season to work with the musicians of St. Brendan's parish at Fr Brendan Hogan's invitation.  The Downey family joined me to celebrate the Advent Mass which was followed by a lovely community lunch and a workshop during which we shared musical favourites.

The following day I joined the staff from St Brendan's Catholic Primary School for a day of reflection and spirituality led by Fr. Hogan. I brought music to the proceedings which I hoped added to the prayerfulness of the day. 

St. Vincent de Paul School Morwell - December 2008

A current project is the writing of a school song for St. Vincent's Catholic Primary School. I met with children in December and talked about the school.  What their hopes and dreams are for the school - what they would like see and feel, what their strengths were, their motto, their heroes. I hope to have an offering for them soon!

Bruthen Family Day - September 2008

At the invitation of Bairnsdale Parish Priest Denis O'Bryan, Anne Taylor and I travelled to Bruthen to share an evening with folks from the surrounding area.  We met at lovely St. Matthew's Anglican Church - now shared by Bruthen's Catholic parish of St. Anne's - and sang some of my favourite music.  I am always inspired by the enthusiastic singing by small parish communities - I experience this at St. Rose of Lima in Rosedale too.  There was not a silent voice in the room!  Our sing a long included Anne Doherty's fun Father's Day melody "A Kid's Song for Dad" in honour of the day.

Our singing session was followed by a lovely Father's Day Mass celebrated by Fr O'Bryan and Fr Brendan Hogan (Parish Priest Lakes Entrance).  Again the singing was fantastic.

A shared dinner followed in the adjoining hall before Anne and I made our way home. Great evening.  Love to do it again!

Trinity Primary School - Narre Warren
May 2008

Anne Doherty and I spent a day at Trinity in the growing Narre Warren/Pakenham/Berwick area of the Diocese in May.   I had been asked to go down to share my new "Hosanna Mass" with the school community. They wished to more fully celebrate the school Masses by including sung responses to the Eucharistic Prayer.  The children learned quickly and Anne recorded their efforts (their beautiful voices heard here on the "Latest Work" page). 

I worked with another teacher and a musical parent who will play for the school in the future.  This was a great idea as it will give them the option of live music.

I also played some of my favourite music for the children and they responded enthusiastically and in fantastic voice!

Lumen Christi School - Churchill
November 2007

REC Joanne Leviston asked me to write a school song for Lumen Christi Primary School and I wrote "We Shine". I really like this song!  It is bright and fun and the children readily embraced it.  Again Anne Doherty worked her magic and provided the school with a CD of both vocals and backing.

I spent time with the P - 2 and 3 - 6 group, recording the senior children.