Celtic Cross at Clocmacnoise, Ireland. Photo by James Gaddis

St. Peter’s Catholic Church on Capitol Hill is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day a few days early, on Saturday the 13th, with a special Mass and Irish music. The music is “St. Patrick’s Mass,” by Philip Green, at least part of it, and Four Hymns by Vaughan Williams, with guest soloist the acclaimed tenor John Aler. And by “acclaimed,” I mean, “He’s won four Grammys.” Aler is a friend of Music Director Kevin O’Brien, and both are Catholic University alumni.

This is the same choir I wrote about in December, which performed stunning selections of Handel’s Messiah on Dec. Additionally, I’m singing with them, in the mighty alto section. My contributions will be very minor, but it is a lot of fun. Kevin gets some really amazing sound out of a small group, and his high quality of musicianship attracts some very talented singers to this all-volunteer choir. We’re talking a high number of voice major students and semi-professionals.

The music begins at 4 p.m., followed by Mass at 4:30. After Mass, I am told there is quite a party in the Parish Hall, featuring “salmon, salad, soda bread and suds,” with performances by two Irish dance schools and a raffle. So, come take care of your Sunday obligation Saturday night, and hear some lovely music in the bargain.