Music Ministry

As the Minister of Music at the Shrine, I would like to thank you visiting our parish’s website and invite you to participate in the music ministry here. The Music Ministry at the Shrine is very active and growing. There are many opportunities to participate, in ways that enrich both the liturgy and the lives of the participants. We are blessed to have a church with wonderful acoustics, making the gallery a very rewarding place to make music.

Here is a short description of music activities:

Choir: Membership in our choir is open to anyone, beginning with teens. The choir sings primarily at the 11:00 Mass, as well as providing music for all of the Holy Days of the church. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Visitors are always welcome to sit in on Sunday mornings to give the choir a trial run. Our Choir is a very warm and welcoming, and the diversity of the parish is reflected in the membership of the Choir..

Cantors: The cantors provide musical leadership at both the 8:30 and 11:00 Masses on Sunday, as well as Holy Days of the church. Cantors are also participants in the Choir and rehearse according to its schedule. Those interested in becoming a Cantor will get individual attention and preparation. The Cantors proclaim the word at the Responsorial Psalm and provide the vocal foundation for the assembly’s participation in the liturgy.

Children’s Choir: The Children’s Choir is for children from grades 2 - 6. The children rehearse anthems to present as special music during the Mass, as well as learning the music for the liturgies. Rehearsals are on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. during the school year. Adults may assist with Children’s Choir as accompanists or as "traffic coordinators" to get the children safely to and from the gallery for rehearsal.

Bell Choir: The Shrine has three octaves of Schulmerich handbells and four octaves of Schulmerich melody chimes. Participation in the Bell Choir is open to anyone, beginning with teens. The Bell Choir rehearses in the bell choir rehearsal room in the North Tower on Monday at 7:15 p.m. This enthusiastic and dedicated group provides special music from time to time, as well as accompanying the assembly in the liturgy.

Instrumental Worship: Since the acoustics in the church are so warm and rewarding to instrumental music, anyone with the talent of playing a solo instrument such as flute, violin, horn, trumpet or others, is encouraged to share those talents. There are many Choir anthems that have obligato parts, as well as parts for the assembly’s music in Mass. I especially enjoy playing in ensemble, so a solo instrument along with the organ or piano would be a welcome addition. Please let me know if you play a solo instrument. Also, the Music Ministry can utilize those skilled in keyboards, organ or piano. Those opportunities include accompanying one of the choirs, providing prelude and/or postlude music, or serving as a substitute organist when I’m away on vacation.

Music in the assembly: At some level, everyone in the church participates in the Music Ministry, even if it’s from the pews! One of the rewards for me here is that our assembly participates with great enthusiasm and many times their singing is powerfully moving. If none of the music opportunities described above appeals to you, I hope that we can count on your full and enthusiastic participation in the assembly.

Again, thanks for visiting the Shrine’s website. Please visit us for Sunday Mass at 8:30 or 11:00.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey McIntyre
Minister of Music