St. Emery's Parish Third Annual Guest Artist Day Planned for Sunday, May 31

Saint Emery’s Parish, Fairfield, will hold its Third Annual Guest Artist Day on Sunday, May 31, at the 9:00 AM mass, according to Andrew Warde High School Class of 1976 classmate and parish Music Director Anthony Procaccini.

"The day is set aside for all to thank the choir for their season, and to add an outstanding talent to the mix,” Procaccini notes. “This year the honors go to baritone Frank Mastrone."

Choral selections will include, among others, John Stainer’s “God So Loved the World,” while Mastrone will perform “Ave Maria” written by Michael Cooney, Music Director of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Fairfield.

Choir members (pictured above) include (L-R front row) Louise Miller, Barbara Fencil, Veronica Dicso, and Marie Warren; (L-R back row) Bob Rouse, Claudette Apple, and Sandy McCarthy.

The public is cordially invited. A free reception, provided by the parish council volunteers, will follow the Mass. 

The church address is 838 Kings Highway East. Street parking only is available, and arriving early is recommended.

Baritone Frank Mastrone (pictured at the left), a Stamford resident, graduated from Central Connecticut State College with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting and directing. He studied acting with William Esper and voice with Carmel Harris. Mastrone was part of the first national cast of “Cats,” and subsequently appeared as Jean Val Jean in “Les Miserables” and in the title role “Jackal and Hyde.” In the original company of “Phantom of the Opera,” he performed over 4,000 times in 25 years.

His concert performances have taken place in the USA and Europe, and he has toured in “Evita” and “Mamma Mia!” He has performed benefits for local Catholic organizations and currently teaches at the Greenwich Performing Arts Studio.

Anthony Procaccini graduated summa cum laude from the University of Bridgeport Music Department, and has been Organist or Music Director in Catholic churches in New York City and Fairfield County. He also plays piano, string bass and bass guitar, is a Frank Sinatra historian, a veteran of ten years with Benny Rae, and also performs Jazz, opera, and classical music.