The Annual Christmas Carol Festival of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Austin, TX was held on Dec 15, 2017. Father Pat Coakley, pastor of the parish, was the emcee of this treasured event, introducing the choirs as they performed. The Children's choir is directed by Heidi Langan. They perform the song, "Shepherd Boy," accompanied by Ela Varela on piano and Amanda Nichols on recorder.
7:30 AM Sunday Choir at the Dec 15, 2017 Christmas Carol Festival
This choir is directed by Alan Ringwood. They performed "On Christmas Day, (Sussex Carol). Pianist, Ela Varela, expertly accompanies them.
7:30 AM Sunday Choir at the Dec 15, 2017 Christmas Carol Festival from St. Catherine of Siena Church on Vimeo.
Directed by Alan Ringwood, the choir presents the choral piece, "No Golden Carriage, No bright Toy." Ela Varela is the pianist, with Josh Saldivar on cello.
11:30 AM Sunday Choir , St. Catherine of Siena Church, Dec. 15, 2017 from St. Catherine of Siena Church on Vimeo.
Directed by Mike Hahn: The Carol of the Drum takes on a modern form in this arrangement. It features Rick Bartell on Violin, Rhea Dharwadker on Cello, Alyssa Eckerman on Flute, Dean Vallecillo on Bass and Sean McGee on Drums.
5:00 PM Sunday Choir Directed by Mike Hahn, Dec 15, 2017 from St. Catherine of Siena Church on Vimeo.
A surprise entry to the Festival of Carols was Father Lou, portraying Father Guido!
Directed by Eric Carreiro, they perform "Still, Still, Still," a traditional Austrian carol. The choir is accompanied by Ela Varela, piano; Ginger Jasinski, descant voice, Heidi Langan, flute; Gabriela Camacho, Violin; Julia Vance, viola; and Josh Saldivar, cello.
St. Catherine's Saturday Community Choir from St. Catherine of Siena Church on Vimeo.
This traditional African-American Spiritual was arranged by Eric Paul Carreiro especially for this choir. Eric directed guest vocalist, Jason Euresti, Layla Murray-Schroeder on the flute, Mike Herbert, Sue Gartner and Doug Beckett on guitars, Gerald Garcia on bass, Sean McGee on drums and Jane Gordon on percussion.
The 9:30 Sunday Choir presents: Children, Go Where I Send Thee! from St. Catherine of Siena Church on Vimeo.
With Eric Carreiro directing and accompanying with guitar and voice, this joyous combination of two favorite carols is sure to please. Julie Yiotas and Jason Euresti provide lead vocals, with Dean Vallecillo on bass and Sean McGee on drums.
After each choir performs, the annual tradition of the entire congregation singing Christmas Carols takes place. Families seldom have the opportunity to sing the carols about Christ's birth.
Father Pat called the St. Catherine of Siena Parish staff to join him in order for him to introduce them to the audience. He then began a medley of songs, interspersed with a narrative about the wonderful ministries and outreach of this parish.
Father Pat and Parish Staff Medley, December 15, 2017 from St. Catherine of Siena Church on Vimeo.