Music Ministry

Mission Statement:
“To beautify the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and thus reveal the power and the mystery contained therein; to support the fully conscious and active participation of all the faithful, firstly internal and then external.”

The Music Ministry has many opportunities for musicians to share their gifts and talents, from a parishioner orchestra and choir, to schola and cantor ministry. Please see information below about these ensembles.

Suggested Reading on Sacred Music and Liturgy

Sacramentum Caritatis, Part II
http://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_ben-xvi_exh_20070222_sacramentum-caritatis.html#PART_TWO

Musicam Sacram
http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_instr_19670305_musicam-sacram_en.html

General Instruction of the Roman Missal, art. 39-41, 45-90
http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/general-instruction-of-the-roman-missal/girm-chapter-2.cfm

Cecilia’s Choir

·         Sings Sunday 9:00AM Liturgy
·         Rehearses Tuesday evenings from 7:30-9:00PM
·         Sings for Midnight Mass and Holy Week Liturgies
·         Performs Major Orchestral Works with our parish orchestra, most recently Messiah (2019)
·         Patron: St. Cecilia

11:30 Choir

·         Sings Sunday 11:30AM Liturgy
·         Rehearses 10:15-11:15AM Sunday
·         Schola-sized choir focuses on Chant, Polyphony, and smaller works
·         Family-friendly—children welcome!
·         Patron: St. Gregory the Great

Lyric (Children's Choir)

·         Provides music for School Masses
·         Open to singers 2^nd-8^th Grade
·         Sings for Christmas and other Solemnities as scheduled
·         Contact Director of Liturgy and Music, Brenda Accurso, for current opportunities:
          baccurso@ourladyoflourdescc.org

Cantor Ministry

·         Leads congregational singing at Masses when a choir is not present
·         Serves as Psalmist for the Liturgy of the Word
·         Must have a pleasant and clear singing voice and excellent diction
·         Schedule determined by availability
 

Parish Orchestra

·         Open to strings, woodwinds, and brass of high school playing level or higher
·         Performs with the Adult choir for our annual major work, most recently Messiah (2019)
·         Plays for liturgies at Christ the King, Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost
·         Rehearsals based on availability

Handbell Choir

·         Plays during the Christmas and Easter Season and other solemnities as scheduled
·         Rehearses Tuesday evenings 6:30-7:30PM