Because music sets the liturgical mood, and good song touches the very heart of one’s being, our parish music ministry is wide and varied. It consists of two choirs – adult church and adult chapel – as well as cantors and a variety of instrumentalists. If God gifted you with a singing voice, opportunities for choir membership are ongoing.
Adult Choir
“Because of the liturgical ministry it performs, the choir—or the Capella musica, or schola cantorum—deserves particular mention. Its role has become something of yet greater importance and weight by reason of the norms of the Council concerning the liturgical renewal. Its duty is, in effect, to ensure the proper performance of the parts which belong to it, according to the different kinds of music sung, and to encourage the active participation of the faithful in the singing.”
The parish choir is the backbone of the parish’s Sacred Music program. The choir is charged with providing music for weekend mass as well as certain Holy Days, and Holy Week. While no experience is necessary, dedication and commitment are vital to the success of the group. The church choir rehearses on Saturday afternoon. Rehearsals begin promptly at 3:30pm and signs at the 4:30pm Mass twice a month. The chapel choir signs at the 10am Mass Sunday mornings and practice after the Mass for the forth coming week liturgy. The choir sings from the middle of September through Pentecost.
New choir members are always welcome, and encouraged!
Cantors
The Cantor serves a vital role in the service. This person is called to lead and encourage congregational singing of the hymns, and to proclaim the Word of God during the psalm.
Music in Catholic Worship (#35) also supports this: “…an individual singer can effectively lead the assembly attractively proclaiming the Word of God in the psalm sung between the readings, and take his or her part in other responsorial singing.”
Our cantors sing at all Masses where there is no choir and are a vital aspect of the Sacred Music program at St. Francis of Assisi.