Music Ministry

The St. Joseph Music Ministry is a wonderfully active program, dedicated to inspiring and awakening the hearts and souls of our parish family through sung worship of many styles! Our goal is to offer music which recognizes and celebrates the diversity in age, culture and background of our parish. Music is selected and presented with great care, to enhance the message of the scriptures and engage the assembly in full and active participation. Are you curious to know what types of music you may hear at Mass? Below you will find a listing of our various groups. We are very proud of our diversity!

► Sign up to serve in our Music Ministry

THE ADULT CHOIR
The primary liturgical choir consisting of people from high school age and up, who rehearse most Wednesdays, October through April and sing various Sunday masses, special feasts and sacramental celebrations. Ability to read music is not required, but it is necessary to be able to carry a tune. The “backbone” of our Music Ministry, the Adult Choir is a friendly, enthusiastic, dedicated group of singers.
                                                                                               Come join our family!

THE RESURRECTION CHOIR
This group ministers through music at funeral liturgies. Members are notified of Funeral Masses through a call chain, and participate as able. There are no rehearsals for the Resurrection Choir, and hymns are mostly standard funeral repertoire. The Resurrection Choir is an important part of bereavement ministry and is open to all parish members who can sing and are available during daytime hours.  
 



CONTEMPORARY ENSEMBLE
A small group of experienced singers and instrumentalists who lead the sung worship at various Masses, with music that has a more contemporary flair. Rehearsals are scheduled as needed. By audition only.





CHILDREN'S CHOIR
Children up to and including 6th grade sing at Sunday Mass approximately once a month October through May. Rehearsals are roughly every other Tuesday from 5–5:30 p.m. during the choir season. Some formal music education is incorporated into the brief and lively rehearsals. An “End of the Year” party celebrates the joyous vitality they bring to our Music Ministry!


TEEN CHOIR
Open to students 7th grade and up who have singing ability. The Teen Choir sings approximately 4 times a year. Rehearsals are flexible and scheduled as needed for this busy age-group. While materials to learn the music are provided, some self-sufficiency is necessary to achieve this group’s lovely and pure sound!

CHRISTMAS CONCERT CHORALE
Most years, the entire St. Joseph Music Ministry combines to present a Christmas Concert or Cantata. With professional musicians to accompany us, we number 100, and it is a stellar performance! It is truly a magnificent way to enter the Advent and Christmas Seasons, whether you are our audience or our performers. The Christmas Concert Chorale welcomes the singers among us who cannot commit to a regular choir, but would like to be part of our Music Ministry. A call for singers will be advertised in the bulletin and this music web page. A schedule of rehearsals will be posted (usually about 4 - 6 rehearsals on Wednesday evenings) when the dates are finalized.

MEN'S CHOIR
Designed for men of all ages, this group sings mostly unison with some chant form included. The Men’s Choir sings roughly twice a year, with 2 rehearsals scheduled prior to each Mass.

SCHOLA CANTORUM
This is a specialized ensemble of professional musicians who gather only occasionally to present more complex Church repertoire. A Capella singing, Latin and Gregorian Chant are incorporated to draw the assembly into our rich heritage of ancient Catholic music.

PRAISE & WORSHIP BAND
The presenters of the popular “Praise & Worship” Masses, this group of professional musicians lead a lively selection of current contemporary praise music for all to join their hearts, hands and voices to. Praise & Worship Masses are on Sundays at 10:45 a.m. roughly 6 times a year and are advertised on the St. Joseph Website. 

GARDNER QUARTET
Four women blend their dulcet voices in four-part harmony, deepening the prayer of our assembly. This group leads the sung worship about 6 times a year.

CANTORS
A cantor is responsible for singing the Responsorial Psalm from the ambo and to lead the assembly in their sung worship during Mass. The Cantor Ministry is a serious commitment, but very rewarding! Cantors are spiritual leaders and should be capable and comfortable in that role. Cantors need to be proficient enough to rehearse on their own. Materials are available to assist in learning. By audition only.

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Do you have a gift of music you feel called to share? Please contact our Director of Music Ministry, Leszek Bartkiewicz, via the form on our staff page or by phone at 248-693-0440 ext. 204.