Past Events

No empty chairs, no empty hearts at the Carondelet

See the photos!

"And we are singing through the hard times. Waiting for the good times to come."

Fine form. Who needs a dance band when you've got 175 voices singing Mockingbird Hill? The rounds, the harmonies, the deep yearnings for peace, the old familiars: the song shopping cart was full and ready for checkout on Saturday night, January 22nd, 2011, at the Carondelet Center in St. Paul. It was a big community sing and fundraiser, and despite the zero degrees outside, the singers surged into the room. Past the signup clipboard, past the table of pop and wine, past the display of MN sings buttons, past the table with historic vintag songbooks, into the big semicircle of chairs. And the singing surged as well. In addition to our usual songleaders Mary and Bret, we were joined by St. Paul's own Larry Dittberner, who led, among others, "When I'm 64" as only he can do from the high hill of his old age. We were also led in a great, original song by the Desnoyer Park singers, a nearby neighborhood group that used to gather monthly to sing in each other's living rooms, but now needs larger spaces because of their popularity. Long live neighborhood sings.

Proceeds: And the group contributed more than $2000 to the amazing, important work of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Thank you all.

History Glimpse: One hundred years ago, the national conference of musical supervisors chose 19 songs for print in a book to be used nationwide for community sings, songs everyone should know. We trotted out these tunes and played "Name that 1914 Tune," where teams of 21st centuryites vie with each other to see who still knows these tunes once thought so important. Result: a tie, with both teams scoring 100%. Guess those 19 songs were keepers. Oh, and we continue to gather your thoughts on what are the central songs we should be singing today.

Thanks: Thanks to everyone who came and sang. We also want to give a big shout out to the volunteers who helped us get set-up and minded the tables. You helped make a great evening possible. And thanks to the Sisters of St. Joseph Ministry Foundation for all their logistical support for the sing.