BELOIT — It’s a spirited group when three generations of the Gracyalny family gather to share their significant musical talents.
In appreciation for their faith and sharing their musical gifts, they will present “The Gracyalny Family Concert” featuring top hits of the 1950s and 1960s on Saturday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. in Assumption Hall at Our Lady of the Assumption (OLA) Church.
They promise an evening of vocal and instrumental music, goodwill, and a variety of homemade desserts.
Gracyalny family offers parish concertOur Lady of the Assumption Parish in Beloit is proud to present the Gracyalny family in concert.
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The public is welcome to attend the popular concert. Tickets can be purchased at the door. They cost $10 each and include homemade desserts.
Sharing gifts in benefit
Fifteen members of the family will be sharing their vocal and instrumental gifts and skills in the benefit event, which is a continued part of the annual OLA Parish fall festival. All proceeds from the musical will benefit the festival’s Silent Auction income.
Randy Gracyalny, liturgy and musical director at OLA, heads planning and organization for the family concert.
“Our family has been blessed with musical talent, so this is our way to give back to the parish,” he said.
Several family members participate in choir and other activities at OLA. Randy’s wife, Linda, is accompanist for the choir. “Linda is always willing to do whatever is needed,” he said. She has also accompanied music at OLA School.
“The concert will feature primarily vocal and a few instrumental presentations of songs popular more than 50 years ago, yet are still on everyone’s musical hits list. This is fun for us, and we can present songs other than the religious music that we sing during Mass,” said Randy Gracyalny.
Family members involved
During the program, desserts made by Elise Bergman, Gracyalny’s sister, and refreshments will be served. Bergman plays the flute and often accompanies the choir during Masses.
The family are the sons and daughter of Noreen and Tony Gracyalny, who have been OLA members since 1969.
Performing in the concert are Randy’s three brothers: Clark, Drew, and Aaron Gracyalny, who sing in the OLA choir. Drew’s son, Tony, 21, also sings in the choir.
Children and grandchildren of Linda and Randy who will be performing are: son John and his two children Caleb and Landon, choir; son, Joseph, choir and percussion, his wife Jean, choir, and their children J-Dynn and Joseph; daughter Teresa, vocal; son Adam, choir (he is music instructor at OLA School); and daughter Sarah, choir and flute.
Thanks for sharing
OLA pastor Fr. Paul Ugo Arinze expressed his appreciation for the family’s contributions by stating, “Thanksgiving to God for their musical talents, and that they are willing to share them.
“Over the years, the family has given so much of their musical talents to the parish. To see a family share their talents to help the mission of the Church and promote worship is for me, as pastor, happy and pleasing,” he said.
Gracyalny, who has been fulltime music director at OLA for the past 23 years, invites everyone, especially people in the Diocese of Madison, to come for the musical and social event. “We have a good time,” he said.