 | About the Heritage Project | |
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This project was spearheaded by my father, Carl S. Brozeski who was choir director and organist. His love for his Polish heritage and its traditions was the driving force behind this project. Since so much is written off today as progress, he saw the need to preserve this part of the Polish culture for future generations. So, with the help of the Assumption B.V.M. Choir, this endeavor began. Because of his foresight, many of the beautiful Polish hymns that we were brought up with are now saved. In 1992, before his dream was completed, Mr. Brozeski died. Therefore, we would like to dedicate this hymnal to his memory.
In addition, we would also like to dedicate this hymnal to the memories of all the parishioners of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish. It is through their instilling in us the love of God, family and the Polish Heritage that we were able to bring this project to fruition.
Special appreciation is given to Richard A. Gartner who was commissioned to arrange the hymns in this hymnal. It is because of his work and dedication that we were able to complete these manuscripts.
Over the years, there have been numerous people involved with our Polish Heritage Project. Their help is appreciated. However, a few must be recognized for their dedication over the years: Mildred Brozeski, my mother; Sally Krasowski, choir assistant; Barbara Oleszek, Editorial Assistance; Douglas Suhr, recording engineer; Heid Productions, recording producer; Robert Nurss, Jr.-The Art Continuum, graphics and printing; and Larry Waitz Photography, cover photography.
As to this hymnal, we saw a real need to transcribe the Polish Hymns that we recorded into a format that would be simple enough to allow anyone to sit down and play them. The old Polskie Spiewniczek is no longer available nor are other Polish hymnals. Most of the hymnals that can yet be found in choir lofts and church libraries were written in a single line format. Since many people today are not able to improvise the accompaniment, this hymnal was formatted in an easy-to-play fashion. The hymns are written in a standard sheet music format: a single, melody line with accompanying chord notations and a standard two hand format. The chord progression in the melody line will allow anyone with the musical background to improvise his/her own accompaniment
In closing, since this ( the latest and final ) hymnal is The A.B.V.M. Centennial Polish Hymnal (Stulecie Parafii W.N.M.P Pieśni Polskie), I thought that it would be fitting to share with you, the opening remarks made at the Centennial Banquette on August 15th,1999:
May the name of Jesus Christ be with us now and forever. Amen.
We want to welcome you to the centennial celebration of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish. May the founding spirit of our parents, grand-parents, families and friends be with us today as we celebrate this momentous occasion. It is because of their faith in God, their belief in family and their love of their Polish heritage that we are here today and able to celebrate this event. May their spirits continue to be with us as we begin the next hundred years of our parish. As the words of the Polish National Anthem say: "Poland is not lost", so too do we say: "Our parish is not lost". So, as we begin the second hundred years of our parish, let us now say: May you now live for another hundred years".
Joseph C. Brozeski
Throughout this project there has been an immense amount of support from many diverse individuals, some of whom are neither Polish nor Catholic. These people have seen the value of trying to preserve a heritage for the future. In a time and age when so many of the old traditions are being written off for the new, it is nice to find a cultural oasis where people still practice and hold on to their Polish Heritage. Past pastors, and Assumption's present patrons, have been very supportive of this project and feel that it is something that needed to be done. There is no other collection of Polish hymns anywhere in the world to the extent of the Assumption Choir's Polish Heritage Project. Recognition has been received from The Vatican.
Additional information, promotional possibilities, and orders for the tapes, CDs, Polish Song Books, and the Spiral Bound Music Book can be obtained by writing to 'Polish Heritage Project,' 15 Spring Street, Oil City, PA 16301 or by calling (814)-677-4090. Information can be obtained from the project's web site: www.polishheritageproject.com or by e-mailing php@polishheritageproject.com. All proceeds benefit the Polish Heritage Project.