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Music Ministry
Alex E. Hill, Director of Music and Liturgy
910-372-0720 ext. 232
music@stmarkcatholicchurch.com
The Music Ministry is one of the most important areas of service to the liturgical life of a parish. St. Paul advised the Colossians to “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” That is the calling of every member of the worshiping assembly. But it is the special calling of music ministers to teach, encourage, inspire, and lead them by example. Here are many ways the musically-inclined at St. Mark can do this:
- Cantors and Psalmists. Individual cantors (men and women) are important leaders of the singing assembly. They may direct the congregation’s participation in the Entrance or Recessional songs, lead the singing of Mass parts like the “Glory to God” or the “Holy, Holy,” especially at Masses when no choir is present. The Psalmist (who may or may not be the same person as the Cantor) serves in the Liturgy of the Word, proclaiming the Responsorial Psalm from the ambo and leading the Acclamation and Verse before the reading of the Gospel. Cantors and Psalmists should be strong singers with excellent projection, pitch, and diction, and a confident sense of leadership and ministry.
- Liturgical Accompanists (Piano, Keyboard). Supporting the singing congregation through keyboard-based accompaniment (organ and/or piano) is equally important to vocal leadership, and provides the melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic foundation for nearly the entire music liturgy. Occasionally, the accompanist must play quietly or improvise under the liturgical action, or have the discernment to allow for silent worship or unaccompanied singing by the congregation. Accompanists are needed for the various music groups (below), and for each weekend or Holy Day Mass. These musicians may be eligible for modest compensation, as well.
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- Chancel Choir. The principal adult choir at St. Mark consists of up to 60 men and women, grouped in sections by voice type (sopranos, altos, tenors, basses). The Chancel Choir sings at 3 Masses each month (rotating between Saturday and Sunday morning Mass times), as well as on special Holy Days and liturgies like Midnight Mass of Christmas, the Paschal Triduum, and Pentecost, with repertoire ranging from 16th-century polyphony to gospel to modern choral works. Music-reading ability is not required – we’ll teach you! Easy, stress-free auditions are held annually to help sort singers into the correct voice parts. Rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings from 7 to 8:30 pm in the church sanctuary.
- Contemporary Choir and Instrumentalists: For those who love “Contemporary Christian” music from a Catholic perspective, the Contemporary Choir consists of 10-20 singers who sing at 2-3 Masses per month. Repertoire is usually accompanied by piano and/or guitar, and occasionally percussion and other instruments. Rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings from 7 to 8:30 pm in the church sanctuary. The Contemporary Choir may also serve in periodic “praise and worship nights,” non-liturgical gatherings for prayer, contemporary music, and fellowship with other parishioners, especially youth and young adults.
- Coro Hispano de San Marco is St. Mark parish’s own Spanish-language music ensemble, with vocalists and instrumentalists dedicated to providing music for Spanish liturgies 2-3 times per month. Like all the other choirs at St. Mark, music-reading ability is not required, but a dedication to ministry and service is! Women, men, and teens are welcome, as well as pianists, guitarists, and other instrumentalists. Rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings at 7 pm in the Parish Hall. The group may also sing at special functions organized by the Hispanic ministry at St. Mark.
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- Youth Choir. Teen musicians are an important foundation of liturgical music in a parish, as the youth are the adult music leaders of the future! For this reason, they need not only an outlet for their talent but also proper training in liturgy and an environment of fun, service, and spiritual depth. The St. Mark Youth Choir is a partnership with the Youth Ministry area and is directed toward preparing young singers and instrumentalists for youth-sponsored Masses two or three times per semester.
- Kids Rejoice Choir. For young singers in grades 1 through 5 (boys and girls), this is a fun group for kids who love to sing! “Kids Rejoice Choir” rehearses on Sunday mornings at 10:45 am, and sings at one Mass each month. It’s a great way to learn about liturgy, develop music reading and listening skills, and get to know other kids who love to sing.
- Resurrection Choir. A new group for 2010, this choir is devoted to providing uplifting music and vocal support for funeral liturgies. Primarily unison or 2-part singing makes this an easy group to join, and the choir will rehearse Tuesdays from 10 – 11 am in the Sanctuary, and serve during weekday (or sometimes Saturday morning) funerals. Perfect for seniors who like to sing, or other adults who prefer daytime weekday service to the evening rehearsals and Sunday services of the above choirs.
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- St. Mark “Schola Cantorum.” Another new group for 2010, the “Schola Cantorum” (literally “School of Singing”) is for men and women interested in learning and singing music from the sublime “treasury” of Gregorian chant. Latin pronunciation and learning how to read chant notation is emphasized, as well as the heritage and function of this highly-valued repertoire. Most singing is in unison, or in simple polyphony of two parts. The St. Mark Schola Cantorum will provide chants for 1-2 Masses per month and for special Holy Days.
If you are able to serve in any of the above musical capacities, or if you desire more information, please contact Alex Hill, St. Mark Director of Music and Liturgy, at music@stmarkcatholicchurch.com, or by phone at (910) 392-0720, ext. 232. |