Our music ministries are open to all: Those who read music and those who don’t; those with lovely voices and those who love to sing; those that play a musical instrument and wish to share this gift with our parish and those who wish to lead prayer in song or with movement. We are the Adult Choir, the Ensemble Musicians/Choir, Youth Ministry, the Children’s Choir, the Resurrection Choir, Guest Musicians, the Liturgical Movement Ensemble and the Cantor Ministry. Our goal is to enhance our worship at Saint Paul’s with the spiritual use of music, movement and song as praise. We rehearse and lead music Labor Day through Corpus the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ (unless otherwise noted).

The Adult Choir practices two-three times a month on Thursday evenings at 7:00 (generally for about 90 minutes) and the first Sunday of the month at 10:15. The Adult Choir sings the first Sunday of the month at 11:00 mass and at feast days (e.g., Christmas and Easter), and holy days of obligation (e.g., All Saints), at special occasions (such as Reconciliation services and Confirmation) and during Holy Week. This is a fun and amiable group and a great way to praise in song.

The Ensemble Musicians/Choir currently rehearse two Wednesday evenings a month (from 7:30-9:00). This ensemble leads the congregation in song the fourth Sunday of the month at 11:00 mass and at feast days (e.g., Christmas and Easter). They combine with the other choirs at holy days of obligation and during Holy Week. Please don’t feel daunted if you don’t play an instrument! Singers are an important part of this ensemble.

The Youth Ministry rehearse in conjunction with their Youth Ministry schedule. This group is specifically for our many talented singers and musicians in grades 7-12. They lead the congregation in hymns and parts of the mass, have an opportunity to showcase their instrumental abilities and have a voice in the music presented. They lead the congregation on a rotating basis the third Sunday of the month at 11:00 mass.

The Children’s Choir is for our young people in grades 1-6 and meets during the Parish School of Religion (PSR) class year. The Children’s Choir practice twice a month and lead singing the second Sunday of the month at 11:00. Singing with this choir is a requirement for our PSR students in grades 1-6. This is an introduction to our worship music for our young people and hopefully encourages some of them to continue in our ensemble music or our Cantor ministries.

We have many talented and competent instrumentalists in our community and congregation and we encourage them to share their gifts by playing preludes, reflection pieces and instrumental descants at Sunday worship. Guest Musicians (which includes our Parish Orchestra) share their talents on a rotating basis with the Youth Ministry the third Sunday of the month at 11:00 mass during “choir season” and as they are available throughout the summer months. Rehearsals, which depend on accompaniment requirements and selection of music, are arranged.

The Resurrection Choir consists of singers available for the typically weekday funeral masses this ministry serves. The rehearsal schedule consists of an occasional weekday afternoon to review and learn hymns appropriate for the Mass of Christian Burial and we provide music as required throughout the year.

The Liturgical Movement Ensemble encompasses all age groups within our parish. This ensemble enhances special liturgical occasions (Christmas, Palm Sunday and Holy Week) by leading processions and doing simple movement to sacred music. Rehearsals are scheduled according to need.

The Cantor/Song Leader ministry is open to anyone wishing to lead the congregation in song and sing the responsorial psalm and Gospel acclamation during mass. Cantors are scheduled monthly for the two masses (you can request your preferred mass) and the parish provides Diocesan training and occasional technique rehearsal as well as on-going encouragement to those who wish to share the gift of their voice with Saint Paul’s. This ministry is ongoing.