What would you like to know about St. Joan of Arc? Do you have a story about our parish or of general interest that you think others would like to hear? For story ideas, contact Jeff Rholl, jeff@stjoan.com.
Anna Mae Vagle has an enviable problem when it comes to planning music for
each week's liturgies. Too much talent and too little time for each of St.
Joan of Arc's gifted musicians to play every week. (See the music page of the
SJA website for the full roster of St. Joan of Arc's musical talent.)
So how does the wealth get spread around? The mainstays for the Sunday gym
Masses are pianist Dan Chouinard and bassist Dick Hedlund. Other Sunday Mass
regulars Anna and Fred Vagle, Steve Kremer and Lee Vague divide their time
between gym and family Masses. This year, Anna plans to have family Mass
musicians Nancy Stockhaus and Bob Hanson make more frequent appearances at
the gym Masses. Rounding out the rhythm section are drummer/percussionists
Shane Speltz and Cyril Paul, 
who also rotate gym and family Mass appearances.
Cyril has many young (and older) admirers at the family Masses, so Anna makes
sure he gets enough time in there to satisfy all his fans!
As you might guess, Sundays are usually pretty hectic in preparation for the Masses. Band members pour in and out in the room behind the stage...but if you come early enough to the gym on a given week, you might be lucky enough to catch a sneak preview of what you'll hear during the liturgy as the band runs through a tune or two.
How does the music get chosen? It largely depends on what time of year the
church is in. Dan and Anna, also with input from Steve, take a look at the
liturgical calendar (Lent, Ordinary Time, Advent, Christmas, Easter) and try
to make appropriate song choices according to the seasons. Music is also
chosen with an ear toward the week's gospel message or social justice issues, which may be a focus in any given week. 
Communion songs are decided based on
the same criteria, but are also designed for the flow with a mix of
meditative and spirited material. Musical choices also fit into the criteria
of welcome, gathering or closing themes. SJA parishioners make their musical
preferences known as well, and they are heard loud and clear, according to
Anna!
Newcomers to SJA are quick to notice familiar songs in the course of a gym or
family Mass--songs which you'll probably never hear at a more traditional
Catholic Mass. Many of those songs were popular hits in the 60s or 70s. Anna
feels there is little separation of what is sacred and secular. "Many
different themes are applied in music. For example, 'I Shall Be Released' is
one song that speaks to the human condition."
Along with its many talented regular musicians, SJA also attracts the cream
of the crop of the local music scene as guest musicians on Sundays. Renowned
players such as Peter Ostroushko, Dennis Spears, Peter Mayer, members of the
Peterson family, Robert Robinson, and many others love performing at SJA
because of its atmosphere: a good sound system and a captive audience which
really listens to the music and the message. Anna and Dan draw from their
many contacts in the local music community and are always looking for new
people to add to the circle.
It's an extra special gift for Dan Chouinard to be a regular part of the
music at St. Joan of Arc, since it is the church where he grew up. "I'm glad
to have a gig as rewarding as St. Joan's, and grateful for the opportunity to
indulge in some musical dilettantism on the accordion and French horn." (Dan
warns us, look out: the banjo is next!)
One piece of advice Anna received while attending a music conference was "know your audience." Indeed, for many of St. Joan of Arc's members, the music is what gathers us in, sets the tone of its special brand of ministry, and keeps us coming back.
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