Each choir season at St. Charles Borromeo Church in North Hollywood, Paul Salamunovich selects "Emitte Spiritum" (by Franz Joseph Schuetky) to begin and close the season. It was no different June 21, as the renowned director led the parish choir in the final Mass of the "choir season" --- and his final Mass as parish music and choir director.

The words from "Emitte Spiritum," from Psalm 104, summarize Salamunovich's approach during his six decades at St. Charles Borromeo: "Send forth thy spirit and they shall be created … renew the face of the earth."

Many of those who have sung with the acclaimed conductor --- founding member and former conductor of the Los Angeles Master Chorale --- were present at the liturgy, beginning with the choir of close to 100 in the choir loft, and many, many more former members seated in the body of the church. They had come from all over California and out of state, to celebrate their director/conductor/friend, and thank him for his gift of music in their lives.

"A choir is a society of followers," noted Jim Drollinger, St. Charles' liturgy director, who has worked with Salamunovich since 1976, when he sang in his mentor's men's chorus at Loyola Marymount University. "Paul is our teacher. I've never known a conductor who loved rehearsing as much as he does - refining the gold. His passion will never go away."

Indeed, Salamunovich has received numerous accolades over his long career, and his choirs have sung at the Vatican, all over the U.S. and Europe, and in more than 100 film and television productions and numerous recordings. But probably no other title or honor means more than the title "maestro" in the true sense of the Italian term in music --- a teacher, an educator --- as exemplified by his 18 years teaching at Mount St. Mary's College and 27 years at LMU, plus directing the children's choirs at St. Charles School, in addition to the parish adult choir.

"Paul has been an absolute mentor, friend and colleague," said Dr. Mary Breden, chair of the Music Department at LMU, who started singing with Paul while in college at Mount St. Mary's and was his accompanist there and at LMU. She has known Paul since the age of ten and took his place as Director of the Loyola Choruses when Paul went to the Master Chorale.

"I learned to think and work as a conductor under him," said Breden who sings in the St. Charles Choir. "He has been one of the greatest gifts I could have ever have. I learned to teach from him, and without him I wouldn't be where I am today."

Total commitment

Salamunovich was born and raised in Redondo Beach, attending St. James Church where he developed his passion for music when he joined a choir in his parish as a boy soprano at the age of ten. A few years later, he was singing and learning under the direction of Roger Wagner, taking street cars and buses to rehearsals and Masses at St. Joseph Church in downtown Los Angeles.

In 1949, Salamunovich became director of music at St. Charles, married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Hilton, the following year, and thereafter weaving music and family into 60 years of service to his parish, while establishing his career as teacher and maestro. Rarely was there a parish wedding, funeral or special occasion where he did not either play the organ or conduct the choir.

As he developed children's choirs over the years, the youth often continued in his choirs as adults. Some present choir members have sung with Paul for most of their adult lives, and have come to know well their director's work ethic that stresses preparation through diligent rehearsal.

"Paul has always been a true teacher," said Drollinger, "working with students who want to sing and making them the best that he can, and that's why practice and preparation are so important to him. In Christian terms, it is not always the end result, it's the journey. It's in the 'getting there.' It's hard and it's challenging, but it's true. The 'aha' comes after the blood, sweat and tears."

Salamunovich loves "getting there." Prior to the June 21 Mass, his sons joined him for practice in the church auditorium, practice that belied the significance of the occasion --- until Paul said to the choir at the end of practice, "Well, I guess this is kind of a big day."

The selections for the occasion are pieces the choir has sung many times before, and which have particular personal meaning to Salamunovich: Grieg's "Ave Maris Stella"; "O Magnum Mysterium," by his good friend Morten Lauridsen (who composed and dedicated the piece to him while Salamunovich was conducting the Los Angeles Master Chorale); Roger Wagner's "Mass in Honor of St. Joseph"; the "Mass in Honor of Our Lady," by Owen de Silva, OFM; and the "Mass in Honor of St. Ignatius" by the renowned Richard Keys Biggs, who directed Paul in a men and boys' choir when he was a young boy.

The final piece was "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" by contemporary composer John Rutter, another good friend and conductor of the Cambridge Singers.

Blessed by his presence

"We have been blessed with the presence, and musical genius of Paul Salamunovich at St. Charles Borromeo for the last 60 years," said Msgr. Robert Gallagher, before the Mass, where Auxiliary Bishop Gerald Wilkerson presided. "Paul seldom missed a Sunday Mass, wedding or funeral. He has worked with each family to provide comfort and support during important moments in their lives."

Msgr. Gallagher added that Salamunovich and his wife, Dottie, raised their family at St. Charles, and have always been actively involved in the parish. "The Salamunovich family shared their lives with us and have been willing to share in our lives. "Without a doubt, that the succession of pastors from the beginning of the parish here on this property in North Hollywood, have had a consistent admiration and love for Paul and his family --- Msgr. Harry Meade, Msgr. Kevin Keane and my predecessor Msgr. Thomas Kiefer. At the same time, we are happy that he has the option to 'slow down' for a while from a very busy schedule."

A simple Google of Paul's name on the Internet will find references to Salamunovich as "an American Choral Treasure" and his countless achievements. His best references, though, are his own choir members and fellow parishioners.

Like Nancy McCook, for some 57 years a parishioner who has sung with Salamunovich, starting as a member of the children's choir in the parish school. "He allowed me to find my soul through music through the singing and the praying," said Nancy with tears in her eyes. "The singing has become my soul."

Her gratitude is mutual. "Thank you," wrote Paul in a letter to his choir, "for allowing me to pray through the music and for letting me into your lives."