The C-Notes Continue Tradition of Christmas Joy for the Sisters of Carondelet

By Tommy Smeltzer

On Wednesday, December 5, one hundred Chaminade middle school students donned formal attire, boarded buses in the pouring rain and delivered the joyful sounds of Christmas to an audience of retired nuns who live at the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet center on the campus of Mount Saint Mary’s University. The C-Notes performed this year’s Christmas concert entitled Tidings of Comfort and Joy for scores of sisters gathered in the chapel, singing a variety of sacred and secular pieces in Latin, Swahili, and English. Many of the nuns who were unable to be moved watched the concert on closed-circuit TV in their rooms. 

The concert is an annual tradition going back four years but has roots in a Chaminade relationship that dates back much further. Years ago, middle school music and choral director Kathy Rohrs led a string ensemble that would play various events. She tells us, “We had a special Sister of Carondelet that worked at Chaminade for many years named Sr. Noreen Arnold. The Chaminade “String Affair” would go and do concerts each Christmas for Sr. Noreen and all the elderly Sisters of Carondelet. It was our way of bringing joy to others and sharing our God-given talents.” She goes on to say that, “Sadly, Sr. Noreen Arnold passed away in 2011 from cancer. The String Affair group would continue to do concerts for the sisters until they went on to college to study music and film.”

The Chaminade Sting Affair pictured left to right: Noreen Kovelman, Ronnie Mansour ’16, Breanna Kovelman ’14, Alex Mansour ’15 and Kathy Rohrs with Sr. Noreen Arnold in the center. 2011

The C-Notes concerts are a continuation of this tradition, performing in the beautiful Carondelet Center Chapel. Among the attendees at this year’s event were 105-year-old Sister Anne Gertrude Fitzgerald and her “little sister”103-year-old Sister Constance. At the end of concert Sister Regina Clare Salazar took to the mic to thank the students, “When we look at these young people from Chaminade middle school, we are honored and overcome with all that has gone into this production – your staging, your presence, your attention, everything about you is classic, and we are very, very proud of you and very grateful to Sister Noreen Patrice…that you could be with us.”

“I am so proud of Mrs. Rohrs and the 100 C-Notes members who braved the rain and cold to bring some Christmas joy to the nuns,” said middle school principal, Mike Valentine” It is inspiring to me to know that we have so many educators and students who are willing to give of themselves for others.”

Sister Sharon Margaret Ninteman, CSJ Community Life Coordinator, thanked the C-Notes for sharing their talents and bringing comfort and joy to the sisters. “They look forward to it every year and continue to talk about it the rest of the week,” says Sr. Ninteman. “The students, under Kathy’s direction, provided an excellent performance …and are a real testimony to the values you teach at Chaminade…to God’s glory!”­­

Join the High School Band and Choir for a Concert on May 18

Chaminade College Preparatory’s high school band and choir will perform their final performances of the 2016-2017 school year on Thursday, May 18. The concert begins at 7:00 p.m. at the Tutor Family Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets may be purchased online and are $5 for adults and $3 for students.

High School Concerts in December

shutterstock_152792564Next week Chaminade College Preparatory’s high school students invite the Chaminade family to attend two concerts. Both events will be held at the Tutor Family Center for the Performing Arts (West Hills).

Instrumental Winter Concert
Thursday, December 15
7:00 p.m.

Choral Concert and Sing-along,
A Chaminade Christmas

Saturday, December 17
7:00 p.m.

Chaminade alumni are invited to enjoy the Instrumental Winter Concert music on December 15, and are also welcome to join the band onstage for the last piece of the evening, Sleigh Ride. Attendees who would like more information on music, or need to borrow an instrument for the song may contact High School Band Director, Ken Hoffman. Tickets are $5 per adult, and may be purchased at the door. Children and alumni are free.

The choral concert and sing-along will be performed by the Chaminade Concert Choir, Chorus Class, Lord’s Chords (high school liturgical choir), and the Chaminade Adult Choir. Tickets are $5 per student and $10 per adult, and may be purchased online.

 

Middle School Concerts This Weekend

shutterstock_152792564This weekend Chaminade College Preparatory’s middle school students invite the school family to attend two concerts:

C-Notes (middle school choir)
Saturday, December 3
7:30 p.m.
Tutor Family Center for the Performing Arts (West Hills)

Middle school band
Sunday, December 4
3:00 p.m.
Fr. Allen DeLong Center for Arts and Athletics (Chatsworth)

Tickets to the C-Notes concert, Christmas Bells are Ringing are available for purchase online, and are $10 per child and $15 per adult.

Tickets to the Winter Band concert are available for purchase online and are $5 per person. After 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 4, tickets may be purchased at the door for $7 per person.

Chaminade Players Present Drama Under the Stars

n15-s6-romeojuliet

Join the Chaminade Players on September 15, 16, or 17 for a Drama Under the Stars production of the Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. As a true outdoor Shakespeare experience, the performances will take place on the lawn of the Tutor Center (West Hills).

Each performance takes place at 7:30 p.m., and the Saturday production includes a Fine Arts Festival at 6:00 p.m., featuring choir, jazz, dance, an art exhibition, representation from film, and more.

Please purchase tickets online.