music ministry

God has called us to be in a loving relationship with Him. Because of His enduring love, we worship Him through the Holy Spirit given to us at Baptism, completed through Confirmation, and expanding through further experiences in the Holy Spirit.  According to the Scriptures and Catholic Tradition, music is the paramount art form for worship in the Mass.

It is our desire that all gifted and skilled musicians, regardless of style, find a place to serve and share their gifts with rest of the parish. Please contact the director of music to begin the process of integrating into our department. We look forward to serving our Lord through music with you!

WEEKEND MASSES, WORSHIP, AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

  • The Saturday 5:00 Teams lead the congregation in both contemporary and traditional liturgical worship with contemporary instrumentation. Instrumentation includes guitar, bass, keyboards, organ, woodwinds, and percussion. Singers read notation and sing in two, three or four-part harmony as arranged by Praise Chart. Improvisation is also encouraged. Rehearsals are Wednesday, 6:30 - 8:00 PM, and Saturdays, 3:30 - 4:40 pm. Currently, there are 2 auditioned rotating teams, and for each team the Wednesday rehearsal prior to the Mass required. Contact: Jenni Curtin (jcurtin@stpatchurch.org), or Director Stephen Royal (sroyal@stpatchurch.org). Assistant Director: Drea Peterson.

  • The Traditional Choir (30+ people) leads the congregation in traditional hymnody and some chant at the Sunday 9:30 Mass. The choir sings two or three choral anthems along with liturgical responses for each Sunday, September to Pentecost Sunday, with an emphasis on traditional and classical music. Emphasis is placed on 3 or 4-part harmony with good tonal blending, articulation, and dynamic phrasing. A background in reading notation is helpful. Midweek rehearsals are in the church on Thursdays, 7:00 PM, with possible sectionals at 8:00 – 8:30 PM. Sunday rehearsals are in the chapel at 9:00 AM for warm-ups and run through. This is not an auditioned group. Contact Stephen Royal (sroyal@stpatchurch.org); Assistant Conductor: Debbie Byrne. Accompanist: Peng Hampton.

  • Rehearsals are Wednesdays at 5:45 PM. The ensemble plays “hymn descants” with the organ at the 9:30 AM Sunday Masses twice a month, along with beginning-intermediate level solo pieces. The parish owns a 4 octave Malmark Bell set and two octaves of Choir Chimes, so more are welcome to join. Handbells play throughout the school year. Auditions consist of being able to play on the beat and read simple color-coded notation. The goal of hand bell choirs is to add solemnity and festivity to the traditional Masses. Conductor: Stephen Royal (sroyal@stpatchurch.org), Assistant Director: Mary Mohlner.

  • The Sunday 11:30 Contemporary Ensemble leads the parish in liturgical worship with contemporary praise and worship music. Instrumentalists play guitars, bass, keyboards, and drums. Instrumentalists are required to read or improvise with chord charts in coordination with the rest of the group. Singers often sing 2 and 3-part harmony by ear as the Worship Leader leads the congregation. Rehearsals are currently on Tuesdays, at 7:30 PM, and Sundays at 10:40 AM. Interested musicians may email Music Director, Stephen Royal (sroyal@stpatchurch.org)

  • At every Sunday 5:00 PM Mass, skilled cantors and soloists sing Latin Gregorian chant, traditional hymns, and chanted English Propers. Singers interested in singing with the cantor or in octet withLatin and English Gregorian Chant should contact the Music Director, Stephen Royal (sroyal@stpatchurch.org).

  • Cantors, Psalmists, and Worship Leaders lead the congregation in sung prayer, both meditatively and with the intention of engaging the Presence of God in our midst.

    Cantors and Psalmists lead the congregation with hymns, psalms, and the ordinaries for the Sunday 7:45 & 9:30 AM Masses. Psalmists and Cantors rehearse midweek and 30 minutes before Mass time or with scheduled choir/ensemble. Midweek rehearsals are provided.

    Worship Leaders lead the congregation as cantors do. They are also responsible for recruiting, rehearsing musicians, planning music, prayer, and working effectively with the sound crew and clean up.

    Cantors, Psalmists, Chanters, and Worship Leaders are auditioned. Contact Stephen Royal (sroyal@stpatchurch.org) or Jenni Curtin, Music Program Coordinator (jcurtin@stpatchurch.org).

  • Instrumentalists and Vocal Soloists are encouraged to offer their talents for Sundays and Holy Days. Musicians will be accepted by audition. Contact Stephen Royal if interested (sroyal@stpatchurch.org) or Jenni Curtin, Music Program Coordinator (jcurtin@stpatchurch.org).

  • The Restored Team leads praise and worship for Adoration with the Eucharist on the second Saturday of every month. Musicians lead with planned songs and spontaneous, Spirit-led worship outside the Mass. Interested musicians should contact the Director of Discipleship, Kevin Bailey (kbailey@stpatchurch.org) or Music Director, Stephen Royal (sroyal@stpatchurch.org). Rehearsals are communicated within the team.

  • The St. Patrick Sound Crew is trained to set up sound equipment and engage with the new Simoni sound system and digital Allen and Heath SQ mixer, and eventually be responsible to balance the sounds of priests, deacons, readers, and musicians during all Masses. Currently, sound crew members run the sound for every Saturday 5 PM Contemporary Mass, 9:30 Choral Mass, and 11:30 Contemporary Mass, as well as special events. New crew members will receive training by John Cristiano, and will be scheduled on a rotating basis. Contact the sound tech leader, John Cristiano (soundtech@stpatchurch.org), or the Director of Music, Stephen Royal (sroyal@stpatchurch.org).

  • We gladly accept volunteer office assistants or music helpers to help with a variety of musical jobs, concert recruitment, musician scheduling, and organization of music. Contact Jenni Curtin, Music Program Coordinator (jcurtin@stpatchurch.org) or Stephen Royal if interested (sroyal@stpatchurch.org).