Music Ministry at St. Ann Catholic Church: Fostering Liturgical Celebrations
Music Ministry at St. Ann Catholic Church plays a vital role in enhancing liturgical celebrations, focusing on quality and care in presenting liturgical music. The ministry comprises various music groups such as the Traditional Choir, the 5:30 Group (Vigil Choir), and the Contemporary Choir, each contributing unique musical offerings to the parish. These groups come together to provide music for different masses and celebrations, showcasing a diverse repertoire and fostering active participation and engagement among parishioners.
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St Ann Catholic Church St Ann Catholic Church A Community of Faith. A Community of Faith. The Music Ministry The Music Ministry
Music Ministry at St Ann Catholic Church Presentation Music is a very important of our parish life. No liturgical celebration would be thinkable without appropriate liturgical music, presented with the highest level of quality and care. St Ann Parish always put an emphasis on quality liturgies. Music liturgy is one of the foundations of successful liturgical celebrations. As such, music is totally embedded in the fabric of our liturgy and of our pastoral life. Music enhances our celebrations in a way that is conducive to prayer, adoration and expression of joy and belief. Our church building is representative of Post Vatican II churches. It is a beautiful building built in 2006 to replace the original church which had become too small for the fast-growing congregation. Active participation liturgy was thought carefully when building the church. Music ministers are located on the front right side of the church facing the altar at an angle. The Music Ministry includes a traditional choir, a contemporary choir, a contemporary group, a Spanish language choir, a youth choir and a cantor and leader of songs ministry.
Music Ministry at St Ann Parish The Traditional Choir The Traditional Choir, as with all the other music groups at St Ann is fundamental to our liturgical celebrations. It is comprised of men and women in a SATB setting (Sopranos, Altos, Tenors and Basses), augmented from additional singers and musicians for our major celebrations throughout the year (Christmas, Easter, Pentecost and other celebrations). Reading music is not a requirement, and anyone can join. The Traditional Choir sings during our Sunday 9:00 am mass and at other liturgies throughout the year. The choir practices together on Thursday evening. It also rehearses on Sunday morning, forty-five minutes prior to mass. When feasible, his members attend workshops and concerts. Its repertoire is varied. It is versatile, singing with equal ease contemporary music as well as plainchant Gregorian or Baroque, in four-part harmonies.
Music Ministry at St Ann Parish The 5:30 Group-The Vigil Choir The 5:30 group, called the Vigil Choir provides music for our Saturday 5:30 pm mass. It is comprised of singers of all ages accompanied by guitars, mandolin and piano). Reading music is not required to join the group. Members of the 5:30 group join members from the other choirs for our bilingual celebrations and for other major liturgical celebrations during the yea. The group practices together on Saturday evening one hour before the mass. Its repertoire is hybrid in such that is is mixing traditional hymns with very contemporary repertoire. Its members are accomplished musicians and are liturgically knowledgeable.
Music Ministry at St Ann Parish The Contemporary Choir The Contemporary Choir, sings during our Sunday 11:00 am family mass. It is comprised of men and women of all ages accompanied by guitars, flute and other instruments). Members of the contemporary choir join members from the other choirs for our bilingual celebrations. The choir practices together on Tuesday evening. It also rehearses on Sunday morning. Its repertoire is primarily focused on catholic music from the 70s to a more contemporary repertoire, with an emphasis on music from the post Vatican II liturgical reform of the 70s and 80s.
Music Ministry at St Ann Parish The Invictus Choir St Ann is restarting a youth choir. It is a teenage youth group comprised of students 13 to 18 from within the parish and outside. The choir is part of the Invictus Program, St Ann s youth program led by our youth minister, Mike Panlilio. The Invictus Choir sings for the youth mass, the second Sunday of each month at 4:30 pm. Its repertoire has an emphasis on contemporary music especially catholic. The choir rehearses prior to the mass and will also add two Wednesday rehearsals in the future. Reading music is not a requirement. The choir is accompanied by guitars and piano and some percussion.
Music Ministry at St Ann Parish The Cantors The cantors are the Leaders of Songs who help the assembly participate in the singing of our hymns, songs and anthems. They proclaim the Word when leading the singing of the Responsorial Psalm. As such they are Cantors in the strict liturgical sense of the world. As psalmists, they sing the Psalm in an antiphonal fashion, leading the assembly in the Antiphonal Refrain and singing the verses in solo. They are Leaders of Songs when leading the assembly in hymns and songs. The Ministry of Cantoring is a specific ministry within the music ministry. Cantors also sing in one of the choirs. They study the repertoire with the Director of Music, prepare for the liturgies, rehearse with the choirs or in solo when appropriate. Cantors, receive training, in-house as well as externally. They have to have a true understanding of the Catholic liturgical tradition and have to have leadership qualities. They are trained in gestures and appropriate postures in order to help the congregation participate in the congregational singing.
Music Ministry at St Ann Parish Spanish Language Choir St Ann is home to a large Spanish speaking community. It is a very active and vibrant community where music is fundamental to the liturgical celebrations. The Spanish music ministry includes one Spanish language choir which incorporates singers from all ages. Its repertoire is drawn from the Spanish Catholic repertoire. It sings for the 1:30 pm Spanish mass on Sunday afternoon. The Spanish Language Choir makes an important use of guitars and percussion instruments. The choir participates in all our bilingual celebrations, especially for major holidays, Christmas, Easter, Pentecost, and other important celebrations throughout the year, Thanksgiving, Feast of St Joachim and St Ann for example.
Music Ministry at St Ann Parish The Instruments St Ann has a number of excellent musical instruments to enhance its liturgies: The two most important instruments are a beautiful Bosendorfer baby grand piano and also a recent electronic Rogers organ which also incorporates four ranks of pipes. The pipes came from the original organ that was taken down when the old building was demolished The organ stop distribution is typical of the American organs of the early 20th century with an overall color of a German tradition. The speakers are integrated to the pipes and are located behind the altar. The piano is a rebuilt 6 ft polished ebony Bosendorfer Grand. It is a well- maintained instrument, well balanced and with a very good voicing. It is used in most of our liturgies. It is also used in rehearsals and concerts. A baby-grand is located in the chapel. It is an Essex, made for Steinway in China. It is a newer piano, acquired only recently. Other instruments are used during our celebrations, especially guitars, bass, mandolin, flute and some percussion.
Singing is Praying Twice We all know the old saying, Singing is praying twice . St Ann s Music Ministry welcomes you. Join us in our musical Ministry. Yes, joining a choir can be intimidating for some. I don t think I have a good voice, I cannot sing! The reality is that everyone can sing. There are specific and easy techniques to make it happen, incorporating proper breathing, body posture, vocal warmups. Those are easy and fun, I don t read music! This is not a problem. Many of the choir members do not read music either, and yet can sing in parts. For this too, there are techniques that will help you figure out notes on a staff and recognize them as well as listening to music recordings. I don t have the time to commit! . Everyone recognizes that time, nowadays, is at a premium and that it is difficult to maintain a strict schedule for rehearsals. Many choir members cannot make all rehearsals or be present every Sunday. This is normal and understood. It is not an issue. I don t know people ! Choir members are welcoming and supportive. Singing in a choir is fun and rewarding. It is also participating in an important, even fundamental church ministry. You will also make wonderful friends. Do not hesitate. If interested, please, contact Patrick Botti, Director of Music either by phone, email or in person. You can also speak to any of our choir members or members of the parish staff.
