Children’s Choir
The graded Children’s Choir program provides music for all Family Masses and at selected Sunday Masses. Membership is open to children in Kindergarten through 8th Grade.
Rehearsals: Thursday afternoons during the school year, according to the following schedule:
Director: Mrs. Barbara Lancaster
Rehearsal: Thursdays 4:00 – 4:40 PM
Children's Choir Grades 3-5
Director: Mrs. Barbara Lancaster
Rehearsal: Thursdays 4:45 – 6:00 PM
Jubilate Singers Grades 6-8
Director: Mrs. Mary Tamplin
Rehearsal: Thursdays 5:00 - 6:30 PM
Register Here
The Contemporary Choir
The Contemporary Choir regularly sings at the Sunday 9:15 AM Mass throughout the year except the months of July and August. The group of singers and instrumentalists also sing for Good Friday, Confirmation, and Christmas Eve. They also combine with the children’s choirs for the annual “Penitential Procession for Lent” held the First Sunday of Lent. The music is primarily contemporary, although they provide an eclectic array of vocal music. Rehearsals are held on Wednesday night from 7:30 – 9:00 PM in the Gathering Space Meeting Room.
The Traditional Choir
The Traditional Choir enhances the quality of worship with choral and instrumental music regularly at the Sunday 11 AM Mass from September through May or June along with some holy days and other concerts throughout the year. Rehearsals are held on Thursday night from 7:00 – 9:00 PM in the Gathering Space Meeting Room. The music encompasses a variety of styles ranging from Gregorian chants to contemporary choral works.
EXALT Praise Group
Exalt Praise Group provides the music for the 5:15 PM Mass each Sunday evening and is under the direction of Ms. Mary Remaniak. Membership is open to those who are in high school as well as adults and includes vocalists as well as instrumentalists. Rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 – 7:30 PM in the Gathering Space Meeting Room.
The Handbell Choir
The Handbell Choir rings for scheduled Sundays and solemnities of the liturgical year. In the fall they begin by ringing for the Feast of Christ the King, in winter for Christmas Day and the Sunday before Ash Wednesday, and in the spring for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, and Pentecost. The choir rings three octaves of Schulmerich Handbells donated to the parish by Don and Marge Hemmick. The handbell choir is open to all parishioners, ninth grade through adult. Rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings in the Gathering Space from 6:30 – 7:30 PM.
The Resurrection Choir
The Resurrection Choir or ambassadors of Christ attends Masses of Christian Burial (funeral Masses) to assist the congregation in singing the hymns, acclamations and responding to the spoken prayers. Funeral Masses are usually scheduled at 10:00 or 11:00 AM on weekday and Saturday mornings. The Resurrection Choir is open to all parishioners with flexible morning schedules.
Cantors
Cantors assist the assembly in their sung prayer. These men and women vocalists require formal musical training and are required to audition and to interview.
Why Sing?
- Singing is a special way to worship God
- When a choir sings beautifully, then it helps the congregation worship, too!
- The language of Music conveys special messages and thoughts about Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
- God created music! Our singing voice is a gift from God and this is a great way to share our time and talent with our church community.
- The hymns, anthems, meditations and Mass parts are all a form of prayer.
Reminders for good singing:
- Sit with feet flat and back straight, or stand with feet slightly apart and knees not locked.
- Always warm up your voice before you are going to sing or start a rehearsal.
- Always take time to study the words and the rhythm. Knowing your music will help you be a supportive choir member.
- Use deep breathing through the diaphragm.
- Don’t forget to listen carefully to directions.
A Special Note to Parents
It is a great honor for your child to participate in singing in the choir. Thank you for supporting this endeavor by bringing your child on time to the rehearsals and helping to keep the choir binders in order.
If your child has a special musical talent – playing an instrument or composing music, for example – please let me know.
