Music Ministry

Do you like to sing?  Do you play an instrument?

So you’ve considered joining a choir, either as a singer or instrumentalist.  With all the advantages of choir membership, it’s not surprising you feel a calling to this ministry.  Some of these advantages include:

• Great seating at all the liturgies!
• Ease in staying engaged with both the flow of the liturgy and the flow of the liturgical year of the church. You’ll be more deeply aware of the celebrations of the holy feasts each year. Choir membership increases the depth of knowledge and participation in your faith and prayer life.
• Scripture sung is scripture remembered.St. Augustine famously said, “Singing is twice praying!”The holy texts become a part of one’s thoughts and very being, informing persons in their life’s journey.
• The deep breathing necessary for singing improves well-being, calming the mind and lowering stress hormones.The discipline of practicing an instrument provides a sense of accomplishment and competence.
• Singing or playing an instrument in harmony with others enlivens the spirit, increases a sense of joy, and can lead to a feeling of great contentment.
• No ability to read music is necessary. Each part is demonstrated and repeated for all levels of music enjoyment and training.If you like to sing (and pray), the choirs would love to have you!

                  St. Catherine of Siena’s music ministry includes 6 choirs.  Following find information for each choir and a link to their joining information and a video of their performance at the recent Christmas Faire event:

• The 9:30 AM Mass Contemporary Ensemble:This choir meets for rehearsals on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 – 9:30 PM.
• The 7:30 AM Traditional Choir: Director Alan Ringwood holds Thursday rehearsal from 7:00 – 8:30 PM.
• The 11:30 PM Choir: Director Brother Gerald rehearses this choir on Tuesday evenings from 7 – 8 PM.
• The 5:00 Saturday Community Choir holds responsibility for two Saturdays per month.This choir and ensemble, directed by Eric Carreiro, rehearses from 3:30 to 4:30 PM on the afternoons of their scheduled Saturday evening liturgies.
• The 5:00 PM Sunday Contemporary Ensemble directed by Michael Hahn, rehearses from 3:30 to 4:30 PM each Sunday afternoon before the Mass.
• The Children’s Choir’s calendar includes periodic Saturday morning rehearsals and Saturday Vigil Mass responsibilities.Ms. Heidi Langan directs this choir for children in second to sixth grade.

Although you can join a St. Catherine’s choir anytime you feel the call to the ministry, January and August are the best months to join.  In January, besides the normal preparation for the weekend liturgy, the directors begin preparing the choirs for the holy season of Lent, Holy Week, Easter, and Pentecost.   Readiness for the sacred music necessary for those feasts requires time and attention.  However, if you’ve been considering beginning a commitment to one of the choirs, please don’t put it off. The directors can welcome and orient you at any time, providing the music you will need, and introduce you to the other members.  You might feel more comfortable for the Christmas or Easter liturgies if you enter in January or August.