Episode 11 August 26, 2017 A Tribute show to PAUL SALAMUNOVICH, with guests James Drollinger, Director of Music and Liturgy at St. Charles Borromeo in North Hollywood and Dominic MacAller, Director of Music at Padre Serra Church in Camarillo. Both Jim and Dom were lifelong friends and students of Paul.
1 – Paul Early Career: Born in 1927. St James Catholic Church & School, Redondo Beach – a young priest, Father Louis Buechner, began a boy’s choir. They sang nothing but chant – which, by his own admission, influenced his music making throughout his entire conducting career. Roger Wagner – gave a concert at St James. Paul was drawn to Roger – use to ride the streetcar to downtown LA at attend rehearsals. St Joseph Church, downtown LA Richard Keyes Biggs, Blessed Sacrament Church – Family moved to Hollywood, when Paul was a young teen. Began attending Blessed Sacrament. He was allowed to join the men and boys choir. Biggs was Wagner’s organ teacher. Los Angeles Concert Youth Chorus – conducted by Roger Wagner; joined in 1946. 2 years later it became the Roger Wagner Chorale. Paul became the Assistant Conductor. Roger Wagner Chorale became the Los Angeles master Chorale in 1964. Paul continued as Assistant Conductor until 1977.
MUSIC – Panis Angelicus (Franck) – Paul Salamunovich, soloist
2 – St. Charles Borromeo Church – hired as music director in 1949. Retired in 2009. (60 Years!) Adult Choir 100% Volunteer – avg. 50-75 voices Children’s/School Choir – the choir on the original Disney Small World LP 1949 – Roger needed to move on from St Charles. Told Paul to take the job – Paul didn’t want it, but Roger said he did. Gave Paul 1 conducting lesson and taught him one hymn on organ (Msgr Harry Meade’ favorite). Introduced Paul to Msgr Meade, told him Paul could play organ and conduct, and he was hired. Rough going in the early years – singers were loyal to Roger. He eventually “fired” the entire soprano section and replaced them with the School Choir.
MUSIC – THE LAMB (Ken Neufeld; text William Blake) St Charles Choir Christmas CD – PEACE ON EARTH Available at: [email protected]
3 – Loyola Marymont University – 27 Years as Director of Choral Activities & Professor of Music 1964-1991 Loyola University – Men’s Glee – quickly changed to Men’s Chorus; Loyola Marymount University – The Mount Singers was a combined effort of women from The Mount & men from Loyola. The sudden presence of women on campus led to the establishment of the LMU Women’s Chorus and the inevitable birth of the LMU Consort Singers.
Almost 900 clinics, festivals, and honor choirs in his career, all over the world.
MUSIC – Western Medley – LMU Men’s Chorus, ACDA CONV 1987 Roger Wagner “Folk Songs of the Frontier” – available on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/album/4a9dl2GwjxbLCCK1a2ZS63
4 – LA Master Chorale- Music Director 1991-2001. Had been assistant conductor for Roger Wagner.
MUSIC: Chant Puer Natus Est LA Master Chorale
MUSIC: Lux Aeterna, Lauridsen I. Introitus from Midwinter Songs from Lauridsen CD – 1998 – Lux Aeterna, O Magnum, Chansons de Rose, https://www.amazon.com/Lauridsen-Lux-Aeterna-Morten/dp/B000006OF1