St. Olaf at Mary Queen of Peace

A beautiful night for CLE--as the heavenly choir of St. Olaf performed for a capacity crowd of 700+ at Mary Queen of Peace [1](formerly Our Lady of Good Counsel) in Old Brooklyn.  For Old Brooklyn and Brooklyn Centre residents--getting there was as easy as a brisk winter's walk.

But, given the unfamiliar musical venue, I was apprehensive to see how many folks would show up.  We got there an hour early, at 6:30, to find the front parking lot completely filled (fortunately--there are side lots for this formerly huge Catholic congregation).   The event was given promotion locally through WCLV and in the Plain Dealer Sunday paper:
http://www.clevelandclassical.com/013112stolafchoirprev [2]

We grabbed a quick bite at the Pearl Road. Tavern [3], served up by the delightful Ashley.  The bar is definitely a local watering hole, featuring pool, darts and a jukebox.  The volume was too loud for my companion's taste--but the juke box allowed me to change the music selection and then the companion was less grumpy.  And, after two $5.00 margaritas pitchers, he was just fine...

We grabbed good seats and settled in for a transcendent concert.  Shenandoah and My Soul's been Anchored in the Lord, especially touched me.  I am not a musician, but the concert was obviously very important to most of the folk in attendance for the technique of choirmaster Anton Armstrong.  I hazard a guess that 75% of the audience had some church affiliation and were especially interested in taking the devotional experience to a higher level.  A Mennonite couple behind us raptured about the performance and volunteered that they arrived with their congregation from Pennsylvania, making the two hour trip to attend.

A special mention goes out to the pastor and choirmaster at Mary Queen of Peace--both went to great lengths to attract and accommodate this musical experience (including an intermission in the lower chapel with pastries and coffee served). 

As a local resident, I am so grateful for their effort.  I recognized a few of my neighbors in the audience, but for the most part--the concert was attended by far-flung visitors.  The pastor graciously (and mercifully!) allowed women and men to visit the school restrooms during the intermission--and based on conversations overheard (visitors from Medina, Brecksville, Bedford)--they immensely enjoyed the concert and the experience. 

The Old Brooklyn [4] and Brooklyn Centre [5] neighborhoods benefit from this exposure. 

Thank you to all who made this world class CLE event possible!