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Mark Donnelly sings

The Vancouver Sun recently ran a profile about Mark Donnelly (™89), who is famous in parts north for leading crowds in the singing of œO Canada� at Vancouver Canucks™ home games. But rousing the fan faithful is not his only talent:

With a degree in music from UBC and a liberal arts degree from 91¿ì»îÁÖ Aquinas College in Santa Paula, Calif., he worked for a parish in Scranton, conducting Gregorian chant and 16th-century polyphony (counterpoint), his specialty. He also taught logic, ethics and introduction to philosophy at a seminary, as well as coaching hockey, which he has played since he was 12. ¦

He also teaches voice, sings professionally and conducts the chant and polyphony at Holy Family Church in Vancouver. œIt™s crazy,� he says. œThe practical thing for me has always been music, and that™s how I™ve supported my family through the years.�

Mr. Donnelly and his wife, Catherine (Becher ™87) are the proud parents of nine children in a family that shares his love for music:

The family that plays together also sings together. Most of the children sing in the church choir, and Donnelly has recorded a CD with the three eldest, Sean, Colleen and Theresa. He kept getting requests to record a CD of the anthem, but since two songs are not enough for an album, they recorded 16 Christmas carols, plus the American and Canadian anthems.

The CD can be heard/purchased at Mr. Donnelly™s , but to experience his spirited rendition of œO Canada� at its best, see the video below of his performance before game 5 of this year™s Stanley Cup finals. As Mr. Donnelly explained to the Sun, œAn anthem™s not a solo. It™s for a group of people, and a national anthem™s for a nation full of people.�