It is one of the most rewarding parts of my job to work with the nearly 100 singers who comprise our parish choirs each week of our choir season, which extends from September through the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. Parishioners often stop me after Mass and offer compliments on how our choirs enrich our liturgies. I would like to publicly acknowledge these singers' talent and significant commitment to our parish.
I also want to take this opportunity to give everyone a glimpse into our choral program.
Cherub Choir | Singers in grades 1 through 4 | Rehearses for 30 minutes on Wednesday afternoons | Sings once per month at the 5:00 Mass, and for Christmas Eve, Holy Thursday, Easter Sunday, and for various concerts throughout the year.
Treble Choir | Singers in grades 5 through 8 | Rehearses for 60 minutes on Wednesday afternoons | Sings twice per month at the 5:00 and 8:30 Masses, and for Christmas Eve, Holy Thursday, Easter Sunday, and for various concerts throughout the year.
Parish Choir | Singers from grade 9 through adulthood | Rehearses for 2 hours on Wednesday evenings | Sings weekly for the 10:30 Mass, and for all Solemnities throughout the year. A small group of women, men, or mixed voices sing for the 8:30 Mass once a month, in addition to the 10:30 Mass that day.
All together, our parish choirs met for 105 rehearsals and 80 Masses last season, singing nearly 400 pieces of music! Equally important are all the people behind the scenes who support these efforts. They include supportive family members who sit in the pews while spouses, mothers, fathers, and children are singing; parents and guardians who carefully craft their family schedule to get their young signers to rehearsals and Masses; choir librarians and volunteers who organize, distribute, and collect music throughout the year; and our wonderful volunteer instrumental musicians who further enhance our liturgies with their gift of music. The old adage “It takes a village…” can certainly be employed here. Vocal and instrumental musicians of all skill levels are welcome to stop by after Mass any time to inquire about joining our little “village.”