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| Conquering the "King of the Instruments," the organ! Especially our amazing 3 manual Rogers Trillium organ! Being featured on our parish CD's Playing the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah with a 150 voice chorus for many years during our Ecumenical Advent Prayer Services Playing approximately 2,000 masses at SJC Playing the evening mass on our Blessed Mother's Feast Day during a county wide power outage (on piano with 2 parishioners kindly shedding flashlight on her music) Enduring years of the Holy Week musical marathons. Growing into a beautifully expressive MUSICIAN! |
I met Bobbie in 1985. I was a college student. The choir was up in the choir loft. Bobbie had just become the organist. She had good
piano skills but really didn't have a CLUE about the organ! When I took over as Director of the 10:00 mass in 1992, I encouraged Bobbie
to take organ lessons. She took my challenge and has blossomed into the wonderful organist she is today! It has truly been my
pleasure and honor to to have been such an integral part of Bobbie's musical and spiritual journey here at SJC. It is so hard to say
good-bye, but we all know that when God closes one door, He opens another.
I fondly think of all we have gone through together: the music, the rehearsals, the prayers, the laughter, the tears, the headaches, the
stresses, the joys, the funerals, the weddings, and at least 1,500 masses, for starters! As Bobbie leaves St.John of the Cross, she
takes a part of my heart with her, for she has truly been my "right hand lady." Bobbie, you are such a gentle, kind, humble, spiritual,
intelligent, talented, and nice person. You are one of a kind and will be missed more than you could ever imagine. We all wish you the
best in your retirement and hope you continue using all of your gifts - especially your gift of music - in the next chapter of your life. Peace
and joy to you! With all of my love and gratitude, Suzanne
piano skills but really didn't have a CLUE about the organ! When I took over as Director of the 10:00 mass in 1992, I encouraged Bobbie
to take organ lessons. She took my challenge and has blossomed into the wonderful organist she is today! It has truly been my
pleasure and honor to to have been such an integral part of Bobbie's musical and spiritual journey here at SJC. It is so hard to say
good-bye, but we all know that when God closes one door, He opens another.
I fondly think of all we have gone through together: the music, the rehearsals, the prayers, the laughter, the tears, the headaches, the
stresses, the joys, the funerals, the weddings, and at least 1,500 masses, for starters! As Bobbie leaves St.John of the Cross, she
takes a part of my heart with her, for she has truly been my "right hand lady." Bobbie, you are such a gentle, kind, humble, spiritual,
intelligent, talented, and nice person. You are one of a kind and will be missed more than you could ever imagine. We all wish you the
best in your retirement and hope you continue using all of your gifts - especially your gift of music - in the next chapter of your life. Peace
and joy to you! With all of my love and gratitude, Suzanne
| Career Highlights |
| St. John of the Cross Musician Bobbie Rose |
I joined the choir as an alto in 1986, to get involved and back with good people, after the painful death of my husband in 1983.
When our choir's young organist spent Christmas 1986 with her family in the east, I offered to use my classical training on piano to help out on the organ on Christmas Eve and Day.
When our young organist had to take a college class that was only offered during our choir practice, I started as the regular organist in 1987.
My parents were about to celebrate their 50th anniversary in November 1987, and I wanted to accompany the Mass at which they would renew their vows. Accompanying the choir
was also preparing me to do that. (My parents had a beautiful celebration, Dad having recovered from a recent operation and Mom having recovered from a foot injury in an accident
on the way to bring him home after the operation.)
Therese (Terry) Bulat was choir director in 1986. She also introduced me to National Pastoral Musicians (NPM) and we went to one of their conventions in Oregon. Another year I
went to one in Phoenix. These conventions had all kinds of classes in music ministry--introducing the newest music, broadening accompanying abilities, choosing songs, how to
better include ALL the ethnic heritages of your congregation, etc. In addition, they had several different liturgies, which were profound, heart-touching, and amazing as all in
attendance participated in the singing.
By 1990 I was interested in finding a better way of accompanying on the organ. (Even though I had the right notes, it just didn't sound as good as it could.) For one wedding
anniversary Mass I tried to learn to play the pedals for one song, allowing two months to do so. I was amazed that it was NOT enough time.
At that time Suzanne Kennedy was our choir director, and she knew someone I could take organ lessons with. It was just what was needed. My teacher let me know it usually takes
at least two YEARS to learn the pedals, plus good organ keyboard "touch", plus learn something about registration (knowing and combining the organ "stops" to achieve different
sounds or "voices"). I studied organ with her for three years, most of that time spending 1 to 1-1/2 hours 6 days a week at the organ.
At an early point in my tenure, the parish presented a fun musical play/revue of the history of the parish. Many parishioners were involved, and Gladys Alexander was lead writer and
director. I was pleased to be able to do most of the accompaniment for that production.
Probably my most memorable accomplishment was at an ecumenical Advent Festival of Carols held at St. John of the Cross. Those annual events were originally spearheaded by
Bob Damberger, and included several denominations within Lemon Grove presenting Bible readings, choir offerings, and community-sung carols. The SECOND time I
accompanied the combined choirs in the annual finale, the Halleluia Chorus, was creditable. The combined choirs always did that selection very well.
The making of CDs of the choirs and musicians of St. John of the Cross Church began with the idea of sharing our beautiful songs and sounds, and raising money to afford more
printed choir music. My personal best on any of these was "Joy to the World" on piano in a Christmas CD.
I have been blessed to be a part of our liturgical music. It made me step out in faith every single time, allow the Lord to lead, and share the skills I was able to muster with the talent
He gave. Hopefully, these facets have enhanced all our prayer lives. I have been able to share time and prayer with many talented and God-fearing people here along our pathways
in life. I want to thank everyone at St. John of the Cross for your patience with me, your moral support, and for sharing your talents, your time, your treasures, your hearts. I will miss
you! Please bless and welcome our new organist, Barry Dubis, and allow yourselves to be blessed by him, too.
When our choir's young organist spent Christmas 1986 with her family in the east, I offered to use my classical training on piano to help out on the organ on Christmas Eve and Day.
When our young organist had to take a college class that was only offered during our choir practice, I started as the regular organist in 1987.
My parents were about to celebrate their 50th anniversary in November 1987, and I wanted to accompany the Mass at which they would renew their vows. Accompanying the choir
was also preparing me to do that. (My parents had a beautiful celebration, Dad having recovered from a recent operation and Mom having recovered from a foot injury in an accident
on the way to bring him home after the operation.)
Therese (Terry) Bulat was choir director in 1986. She also introduced me to National Pastoral Musicians (NPM) and we went to one of their conventions in Oregon. Another year I
went to one in Phoenix. These conventions had all kinds of classes in music ministry--introducing the newest music, broadening accompanying abilities, choosing songs, how to
better include ALL the ethnic heritages of your congregation, etc. In addition, they had several different liturgies, which were profound, heart-touching, and amazing as all in
attendance participated in the singing.
By 1990 I was interested in finding a better way of accompanying on the organ. (Even though I had the right notes, it just didn't sound as good as it could.) For one wedding
anniversary Mass I tried to learn to play the pedals for one song, allowing two months to do so. I was amazed that it was NOT enough time.
At that time Suzanne Kennedy was our choir director, and she knew someone I could take organ lessons with. It was just what was needed. My teacher let me know it usually takes
at least two YEARS to learn the pedals, plus good organ keyboard "touch", plus learn something about registration (knowing and combining the organ "stops" to achieve different
sounds or "voices"). I studied organ with her for three years, most of that time spending 1 to 1-1/2 hours 6 days a week at the organ.
At an early point in my tenure, the parish presented a fun musical play/revue of the history of the parish. Many parishioners were involved, and Gladys Alexander was lead writer and
director. I was pleased to be able to do most of the accompaniment for that production.
Probably my most memorable accomplishment was at an ecumenical Advent Festival of Carols held at St. John of the Cross. Those annual events were originally spearheaded by
Bob Damberger, and included several denominations within Lemon Grove presenting Bible readings, choir offerings, and community-sung carols. The SECOND time I
accompanied the combined choirs in the annual finale, the Halleluia Chorus, was creditable. The combined choirs always did that selection very well.
The making of CDs of the choirs and musicians of St. John of the Cross Church began with the idea of sharing our beautiful songs and sounds, and raising money to afford more
printed choir music. My personal best on any of these was "Joy to the World" on piano in a Christmas CD.
I have been blessed to be a part of our liturgical music. It made me step out in faith every single time, allow the Lord to lead, and share the skills I was able to muster with the talent
He gave. Hopefully, these facets have enhanced all our prayer lives. I have been able to share time and prayer with many talented and God-fearing people here along our pathways
in life. I want to thank everyone at St. John of the Cross for your patience with me, your moral support, and for sharing your talents, your time, your treasures, your hearts. I will miss
you! Please bless and welcome our new organist, Barry Dubis, and allow yourselves to be blessed by him, too.
| From Bobbie |
| We Need 9v Batteries We really burn through them during all of our masses. |
| I was going to pick some up at CVS yesterday until I saw the $5.28 price tag (for one battery)! I usually buy them at Costco, but even in bulk they cost over $3.00 a piece. Donations are tax deductable, so save your receipts! Duracell batteries (gold and black) fit the microphones the best and seem to last the longest, but no brand will be refused! Please spread the word. Many thanks |
| 619-466-3209 x303 |
| MUSIC MINISTRY |
| GSOCONCERT May 18 Grossmont Symphony Orchestra concert |