Music Ministry

IMG_0789Music Ministry at Our Lady of Mount Carmel

 

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About Our Ministry
The Music Ministry at Our Lady of Mount Carmel plays a very important role in parish liturgies. Music is an integral part of prayer and aids in the spiritual life of the faithful. St. Augustine once said “Singing is praying twice.” (God has bestowed upon his people the gift of song. God dwells within each human person, in the place where music takes its source. Indeed, God, the giver of song, is present whenever His people sing His praises. A cry from deep within our being, music is a way for God to Lead us to the realm of higher things. As St. Augustine says, “singing is for the one who loves.” Music is therefore a sign of God’s love for us and of our love for Him. In this sense, it is very personal. But unless music sounds, it is not music, and whenever it sounds, it is accessible to others. By its very nature song has both an individual and a communal dimension. Thus, it is no wonder that singing together in church expresses so well the sacramental presence of God to His people–From Sing to the Lord. Used with permission). Because music is such an essential aspect of prayer, the Music Ministry of Our Lady of Mount Carmel invites everyone to join in worshipping God through music. Below is a list of our music ministry groups. If you are interested in joining or wish to learn more about each, we encourage you to contact the rectory. There is a place for everyone in this ministry.

Adult Choir
Our Adult Choir sings at the 12:15 p.m. Mass on Sundays all year long. The choir also takes part in other significant Masses throughout the liturgical year. These include, Ash Wednesday, Holy Thursday, Easter Vigil, and the Mass of the Nativity of the Lord. Our Adult Choir also sings at our newly established Parish Christmas Carol Sing, which is held every January. Weekly rehearsals are held on Tuesday at 8 p.m. The only requirements to join are that you are able commit to the rehearsals, sing at the 12:15 p.m. Mass, and that you are able to modestly carry a tune.

Youth Choir
Our Youth Choir sings at the 10:45 a.m. Mass on Sundays all year long. In addition, the choir joins forces with our Adult Choir for our annual Thanksgiving Day liturgy and also sings at the Christmas Eve Mass every year. Along with the Adult Choir, our Youth Choir sings at our annual Christmas Carol Sing. Weekly rehearsals during these months are held on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m.

Schola Cantorum
This group is made up of a combination of our cantors together with a few intermediate level singers who usually sing more solemn sacred music. The Schola sings for the Solemn Liturgy of the Word and Veneration of the Holy Cross Service each Good Friday. The current plan is to gradually incorporate them into other services throughout the year. Membership to this group is by audition only.

Cantor Ministry
The Cantor Ministry is open to men and women with strong voices and some prior experience with music. The Cantor leads the congregation in the singing of hymns, songs and psalms, in order to encourage full, and active participation of the laity in the liturgy.

Instrumentalists
Musicians are invited to volunteer their time and talent to play at various liturgies and services throughout the year. Presently we are looking for a guitarist who is willing to volunteer his or her talents in joining our organist in accompanying our Youth Choir during the 10:45 a.m. Sunday Masses. Prospective candidates must be willing to commit to this mass during the months of September through June. In addition, we are looking for a volunteer flutist to play at sporadic masses throughout the liturgical year as well as major Masses during the Easter and Christmas seasons. All candidates must be music literate and have sight reading ability.