THE BEST WAY TO spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.
With the Advent season officially here, music ministries at various Orange County Catholic Churches are arranging special concerts and songs for parishioners ready to mark the most wonderful time of the year.
“I love hearing everyone sing ‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel’ for the first time during Advent,” Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church Director of Music Ministries Dr. Patricia Lamb shared. “Another favorite moment is our choir concert on Christmas Eve before Mass during the night. We have a small orchestra along with the choir, and it adds so much beauty to the celebration.”
In celebration of the Advent season, we’re spotlighting church singers who are ready to share their love of holiday music with the Masses.
MADISON MITCHELL, SANTA CLARA DE ASIS CATHOLIC CHURCH CANTOR
For nearly two years, Mitchell has been a member of the SCDA music ministry. As she prepares to sing with parishioners this holiday season, the Broadway actress is grateful to use her voice to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
“My favorite aspect of being part of the music ministry during the Advent and Christmas season is focusing on songs that have Marian devotion and songs that dwell on the theme of waiting and longing for the birth of Christ,” said Mitchell. “I love the penitential season of Advent and then the beautiful
celebratory season of Christmas in our Catholic faith.”
While she loves to sing traditional songs like “O Holy Night, “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World,” Mitchell praises one special song she learned at SCDA.
“For the final week of Advent last year, I learned a song called ‘Be Born in Me,’ originally sung by Francesca Battistelli and written by Bernie Herms and Nichole Nordeman,” she recalled. “It was a beautiful and humbling song to sing, written from the perspective of Mary carrying Jesus in her womb.”
MADELINE MERCHANT, HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC CHURCH CANTOR
The Santa Margarita Catholic High School student is ready to celebrate the Christmas season at Holy Trinity’s youth Masses as well as the church’s annual Christmas concert and celebration this December.
“My favorite part about being in the music ministry during Christmas time is being able to perform at the Joy to the World concert,” she shared. “It is always great to see the community that Holy Trinity has built. It is also amazing to get to watch the young performers share their talents with our community.”
The high school senior hopes to perform her favorite Christmas songs including “O Holy Night” and “Light of the World” by Lauren Daigle.
“Christmas music, especially at church,” Merchant explained, “is truly unmatched.”
AMANDA ORTIZ, SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA CATHOLIC CHURCH MUSIC DIRECTOR
The countdown is on for Santiago de Compostela’s annual Christmas concert. Scheduled for Dec. 6, the special event is Ortiz’s favorite part about being a member of the church’s music ministry.
MADISON MITCHELL AND OTHER SANTA CLARA DE ASIS CATHOLIC CHURCH SINGERS PERFORM DURING MASS. PHOTO BY KIERNAN COLIFLORES
“Noel Night is a huge collaboration between the volunteer singers and musicians from our English, Spanish and Filipino choirs, our staff, clergy, religious education program and other ministries,” she explained. “The concert’s vibes are fun, and it’s cool to see our diverse church community come together to support each other and get excited to kick off the Advent and Christmas season.”
If Ortiz had to pick her absolute favorite song to sing during the Christmas season, she would choose “We Adore” by Sarah Hart.
“I first sang it back when I was a kid in the children’s choir at Santiago, and the lyrics reflecting on how baby Jesus would grow up and sacrifice Himself to save us really touched me,” she reflected. “I also love how it’s such a versatile song that can be dressed up with harmonies and adapted to different ensembles. Now, I look forward to doing it every Christmas Mass with our kids and adult choirs.”
Other special songs Ortiz loves include Albert Taulé’s “Un Niño Nos Ha Nacido,” Justin Bieber’s version of “Drummer Boy” and the classic song “Angels We Have Heard on High.”
SAMANTHA DOMINGUEZ, ST. KILIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
No matter which of the seven weekend Masses St. Kilian parishioners choose to attend, Dominguez hopes the music ministry makes the Advent Season extra special for all attendees.
“I look forward to collaborating with so many gifted musicians, and to share the beautiful story of the birth of Jesus with the community through music,” Dominguez shared. “Each year, St. Killian Music Ministry comes together to perform a lovely, spirited concert and it is easily one of the highlights of the year for me.”
On Dec. 20, all are welcome to attend St. Kilian’s annual Christmas concert. The event will feature St. Kilian choirs, ensembles, cantors, chamber orchestra and Catherine Forbush on the piano. While Dominguez is keeping the concert playlist top secret for now, she couldn’t help but share some of her favorite songs of the season.
“One of my favorite songs during this time is ‘O Come, O Come Emmanuel,’” she said. “I think it is such a beautiful song, and the advent season feels incomplete without hearing it. Another song I enjoy is ‘Joy to the World.’ It encompasses the joy and spirit of Christmas perfectly.”