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Music Ministries of Holy Family
"As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s grace." ~ I Peter 4:10
Director of Music Ministries: Sylvia Chapa
Email: music@holyfamilyvb.org
Phone: 757-481-5702 ext.116 -
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MUSIC MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES
Make a difference – share your musical gifts with the parish!
Come try us out for one rehearsal and see how you like it!
MUSIC MINISTRY D ESCRIPTIONSChildren’s Choir provides young parishioners a fun atmosphere where they learn to sing and communicate their faith through music. Children’s Choir sings one liturgy a month. Weekly rehearsals are on Thursdays 6:15-7:00 p.m. Sign up and join in the fun!
TEEN SINGERS sing at mass once a month. Rehearsals are twice a month on Sundays at 12:30 p.m. and for an hour before a scheduled mass. Schools may give service hours for your participation, but the real reward is in the difference your voices and music selections will make in our parish worship. If you sing in a school choir, you’ll enjoy singing a variety of music for liturgy. If you cannot get choir into your school schedule this year, join Teen Singers instead!
INSTRUMENTALISTS enhance the worship experience by adding other colors, sounds, and musical lines to assembly singing by playing flute, harp, violin, viola, cello, clarinet, trumpet, guitar, or percussion in ensembles or as soloists. Music for most of these instruments are available to practice at home. You will need to play at least a Grade 3 music level. Schedule a meeting with our Director of Music Ministries, Sylvia Chapa, to see how you can share your gifts!
LITURGICAL ENSEMBLE – Holy Acoustics! Always fun to play in a larger ensemble, so consider playing once a month at mass with this ensemble of strings, woodwinds, brass, guitars, and percussion at the 11 a.m. liturgy.Contact the Director of Music Ministries for more information on this year’s schedule.
PARISH CHOIR loves to sing in harmony! If you enjoy singing Soprano, Alto, Tenor, or Bass parts, this is the place for you. You do not have to read music, (although we are happy if you can!) This Choir strives to support and encourage the active participation of the assembly by raising our hearts and voices to God, celebrating our faith through sung prayer with the assembly. We also enjoy one another’s company in a summer picnic, occasional wine & cheese evenings, and “field trips” to concerts and workshops to enjoy one another’s company and to improve our skills. Rehearsals are at 7 pm Wednesdays during the school year.
CHRISTMAS AND HOLY WEEK CHOIRS prepare and sing for our holiest days of the year. This is a short-term commitment in which you attend rehearsals for about 8 weeks prior to the holy day, learn a slightly more advanced repertoire, and sing some of our most favorite carols, hymns, and other sacred music that only appears once a year. Rehearsals are Wednesdays from 8-9 pm with specific dates and music assigned about 8 weeks prior to the liturgies.
PIANIST/ORGANIST accompanies the assembly, cantor, and/or choirs. If you have advanced keyboard skills, are comfortable playing in front of people, enjoy playing for and with singers and other instruments, you’ll enjoy making music. You will also receive further training in the art of accompaniment from our Director of Music Ministries.
HOLY FAMILY RINGERS ring our 3-octave set of Schulmerich handbells. Try us out and see if you enjoy ringing 2-4 bells as part of the melody cascading from one bell to the next. It’s like a musical puzzle to count and play your note at exactly the right time, and it’s very satisfying when you do! Middle & High School students enjoyed this with a friend or as a parent or grandparent/child activity. Attendance at weekly rehearsals by all members is required to ring once a month at a liturgy. It takes a village to ring all those bells, and consistent attendance is as important as excellent reading skills. We’ll teach you how to read & ring! Contact the Director of Music Ministries for more info! Rehearsals on Thursdays at 12:30 pm or 7:15 pm.
CANTORS are the leaders of sung prayer at our liturgies. Cantors must have a strong singing voice, preferably read music, and be confident singing in front of the assembly. Cantors assume the responsibility to learn music thoroughly, prepare the psalm spiritually and musically, and provide prayerful leadership to the assembly to encourage their full, conscious, and active participation in the liturgy. Cantors participate in quarterly training sessions for ongoing formation and continuing education in the art of liturgy. Cantors are encouraged to sing in Parish Choir, Summer Schola, Teen Singers, Holy Week or Christmas Choirs in order to learn parish repertoire. Most of our Cantors have completed the National Pastoral Musicians Cantor Certification. Training is provided to do so. Contact the Director of Music Ministries if you are interested in sharing your gifts as a cantor.
SUMMER SCHOLA If you are interested in singing in a group of singers who enjoy singing in harmony and can come one hour before mass to review and prepare music for liturgies between June and August, contact the Director of Music Ministries. You’ll sing a wide variety of musical styles. Cantors, Teen Singers , Parish Choir, and anyone who cannot sing during the school year are welcome to join! Just contact the Director of Music Ministries to find out the schedule.
