On December 7, 2011, Jesuit’s vocally-inclined took time out of their day to brighten the Christmas season for the elderly. The young men of Jesuit Choir, led by music teachers Zane Crownover and Ann Morton, ventured to the St. Joseph’s assisted living home and the Sunrise senior community to spread Christmas cheer through song. And while the two residences have very different economic statuses, residents of both homes were receptive to the holiday cheer and happy to have people come sing for them.
With the help of Richard Perry, head of the community service department, the Jesuit Choir has been able to go to these homes several times the past two years. Mrs. Morton remembers the enthusiasm and anticipation expressed by residents of the two communities. “I was getting calls in November, a full month before the performances, wondering if [Jesuit] would be [at these homes],” said Morton. She went on to call the overall experience “very nice…and enjoyable for the students.”
The choir members, who hail from all four grade levels, were excused from their Wednesday classes for the performances. Also, they each received community service credit for their involvement in the program.
The young men who participated in the caroling follow: Gino Piamonte ’15, Denis Alexander ’14, Mario Gamez ’13, Bill Snyder ’13, Alex Venegas ’13, Anthony Catalano ’12, Ben Cordell ’12, Mark Diaz-Arrastia ’12, William Ellis ’12, Will Fonseca ’12, Chris Hurle y’12, Jacob Khory ’12, and Aaron Walter ’12.
The set list for the group included such classics as“Angels We Have Heard on High,” “Away In a Manger,” and “Deck the Halls.” Mrs. Morton remembers one song in particular bringing the house down. “Jingles Bells was a riot,” she said. “Everybody loved that one!”
The caroling was a complete success and this seems to be the beginning of a tradition of the Jesuit Choir during this Christmas season for years to come. Contact Mrs. Morton or Mr. Crownover for more information on the Jesuit Choir.
