Dear Parishioners:
My assistant director and I will be at a sign up table in the parish hall THIS Sunday after both the 9am and 11:30am masses, to take signups for ALL choirs in the parish music program. (also on June 25th and July 2nd)
ADULT CHOIRS
- Mater Dei Choir (sings for 9am mass regularly, and 10-12 major feast days)
- Schola Marianum (sings more challenging polyphony, and only sings for 10-12 major feast days during the year)
- St. Hildegard Schola – women’s chant schola
- Schola Gregoriana – men’s chant schola
I would like to make a special plea for any adults within out parish with any singing experience, to consider joining one of the adult choirs.
We are especially in need of 3 or more women in the choir, and at least a couple more men.
We so far have successfully maintained an all-volunteer choir program, and have built children/youth choirs to train future singers for the Church, but this coming choir year, we are in definite need of some new singers for any and all of the adult choirs, due to changing circumstances for some current choir members who cannot continue singing with us.
What if I have children to look after at mass?
I want to address this possible question some adults/parents might have. We have a policy to allow some children in the choir loft with singing parents, to be as accommodating as possible. So please come to the table to talk to us about it!
Also, please help us in encouraging other adults you hear with talent, to come talk to us and consider joining the choir(s)!
CHILDREN/YOUTH CHOIRS
Exciting new developments here! My assistant director, Mr. Chase Fowler, will have direction of all men/boys choirs, and there will be a separate choir for older boys.
St. Gregory Choir – boys about ages 7-12 (til voice starts changing)
Schola Augustini – young men about ages 13-18
These two choirs will sing together when singing for high mass, with a few of the adult choir men, to form the Mater Dei “men and boys choir”, and will wear red cassocks/surplices when they sing.
Come to the table to talk to Mr. Fowler, and grab information flyers or sign up!
The girls/young ladies will now be divided into two choirs:
St. Cecilia Choir – girls ages 6-10/11
St. Maria Goretti Choir – young ladies 11/12 – 18
The older girls choir will have the opportunities now to learn music theory and sightsinging in more depth, and be challenged with more works of choral music, to give glory to God on special feast days.
The younger girls will continue to sing for Marian processions, have a basic dress code of blue/white w/ blue sashes whenever they sing, and join the older girls to sing for high mass occasionally, but have less pressure to learn all parts of the music for high mass, at such a young age.
Come to the table to get information flyers or sign up! Girls choirs will have a maximum cap of 20-25 singers per choir. Spots are already filling up quickly.
If you are not yourself a singer, we still appreciate your prayers for the parish music program! Please pray for the new singers we need in the adult choirs, and for the continuing education of the children and youth, to grow in their love of sacred music, that we might teach them well, and share our passion with them in a fun and engaging way.
God Bless you all,
Kimberly Walters – Mater Dei Music Director
M. Chase Fowler – Asst. Choir Director/Men & Boys Director