Souvenir Dedication Program

The Senior Choir

As far as history can accurately determine, the Senior Choir was organized in St. Paul’s Parish in 1908, under the direction of Mr. Zwilling, the first organist.  Through the efforts of Father Marino at this time, the Carnegie Foundation Fund contributed the major cost of the organ then installed and now renovated by the Tellers Organ Company for service in the new church building.

Following Mr. Zwilling’s direction of the choir for several years, Miss Alice Sloan took up the work of director and organist and she was succeeded by Miss McLaughlin and Miss Jewel Dudenhoeffer.   Later, Miss Mary Calabrese came to direct the choir, but left after a short period, to continue her musical education in New York City.  She was followed by Miss Frieda Kaiser, who worked as organist and choir director the three years until her marriage and subsequent departure for Buffalo N.Y.  At this time the choir numbered twenty members.

Miss Kaiser was succeeded by Mr. Sam Janiere, who acted as organist and director for a period of nine years, until the reorganization in August, 1934, at which time Miss Kaiser returned as Mrs. Frieda Kaiser Miller, in the capacity of organist and choir director.  The latter’s experience and musical training in Buffalo have fitted her admirably for her present position which is reflected in the revived interest and enthusiasm of the enlarged membership enrollment.  Organ rendition and choral technique under the present directorate have brought unstinted praise from a discriminating congregation and innumerable visitors to St. Paul’s.  The parish is fortunate to have its present amiable, cultured and highly trained director and organist.  It is likewise grateful and is proud of the refined, self-sacrificing and talented singers, whose ability would grace any program wherein public worship permits vocal music.

The present members are as follows:

Sopranos:                                                         Tenors:

Celia Yanitello                                       Dominiic Di Francisco

Katherine Angellotti                                          Michael Issue

Margaret De Santis                                           Paul De Santis

Ida Bevilacqua                                      Louis Benacci

Angeline De Laura                                            George Di Fazio

Helen Di Francisco                                           Michael Tino

Julia Bevilacqua                                                                       

Naomi Quadri

Josephine Di Francisco                         Basses:

Elizabeth Di Bacco                                           Thomas Augustine

Mary Di Francisco                                            Joseph Belotti

Clara Ferritta                                                    Ted Chimenti

Margaret McLaughlin                                       Phillip Selvage

                                                                        Tony Sevillo

Altos:                                                               Frank Marra

Mary Di Tullio                                      Jesse Jiuliante

Antoinette Vendetti                                           William Juiliante

Anna Massello

Mary Massello