The Lee Vague Story!
... Boy Musician Grows Up at SJA
The Lee Vague Story!
... Boy Musician Grows Up at SJA
Lee Vague is an integral part of the musical arena at St. Joan’s. This 33 year old man still reminds me of the “kid” I knew 22 years ago.
My first time hearing Lee Vague at St. Joan’s was when he played along side of his Dad, LeRoy Vague, on the bass guitar. St. Joan of Arc has been a steadfast part of Lee’s life. He has been here as along as he can remember clinging to his Dad’s leg.
His parents brought him weekly to mass where he started as a tot playing the tambourine. Eventually, he worked his way into the ensemble. His sister, Lisa, played the drums while he played the bass guitar at 13. He remembers how his Dad incorporated songs he loved into the liturgy and carved it into the beliefs of the parishioners over his 27 years of dedication. It’s not hard to see that Lee idolizes his father and mother and what they instilled in him. He believes that they wanted to expose he and his sister to beliefs that were open minded and relative to what was occurring in the world. He now appreciates more than ever the exposure they got by attending St.Joan’s, including musical growth, while growing up in a small rural area of Cottage Grove.
Lee now is grown, married and the father of two children. He works as a police officer for the St. Paul/Woodbury area. He loves his music and finds it puts balance in his life from the challenges of his occupation in police work. This is an outlet that brings very gratifying rewards in “giving” as well as “receiving” to the congregation. He takes special care to acknowledge the fact that it’s a privilege to be a part of this church especially with the group of “professionals” he works with. He’s very proud of all of his colleagues and gives credit to each and every one of them.
I asked him where and how his music resources enter the picture in the St. Joan’s ensemble. He replied that all of the players provide their contributing elements. He on occasion will add his genre of music when called upon. And a lot of that is music we universally have heard ...much of it popular and relating to everyday life. It doesn’t have to carry a religious tone to it. Most of Lee’s music rings of a “human” element we all identify with. And in doing so, it often will stir those emotions we feel deep in our souls. Some popular composers I’ve heard Lee sing/play are greats like Sting and James Taylor. You could say he tends to draw from a younger generation, but we joked about him not coming totally from the “young set”. We see some younger influences now on deck at St. Joan’s and we’ll catch up to them later. But, on the whole, Lee is influenced not only from his father’s era but also from the eclectic variety amongst the group of musicians he plays with every Sunday.
About finding newer and relative music for church, Lee said “ I look upon it as my responsibility to bring it to them”. He enjoys the interchange with the rest of the group in learning new songs and yet playing some of the oldies his father first introduced. There is a sense that ALL music finds it’s way into the repertoire. And the variety is what keeps it exciting to all of them. Consequently, what thrills him is that the guests require a change in the type of music played with a wide variety of styles. Where else could you get the opportunity to play such diverse music? It takes a talented group to adapt to changes of this sort. By doing so, this group continues to stay fresh and alive.
Lee believes he’s got the best of two worlds. He has the opportunity to give in this way, but more important to him is what he is given back. The fun of playing is accentuated by the response of the congregation. He sees it as a routine part of his life that he can’t be without. He hopes to bring that influence to his children much as his father did to him. Most likely we’ll be seeing more of them in the future as they join him in his music. Until then, we are so grateful for his magnanimous contributions over the years. Thank You Lee!
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