Music
Ministry
"There
are many gifts but they have the same Spirit. There are a
variety of ministries but they are of the same
Lord."
"The
musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure
of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other
art. The main reason for this preeminence is that, as
sacred song closely bound to the text, it forms a
necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy." ("Constitution
on the Sacred Liturgy"; Chapt. VI, #112a)
"Music should assist
the assembled believers to express and share the gift of
faith that is within them and to nourish and strengthen
their interior commitment of faith. It should heighten
the texts so that they speak more fully and more
effectively. The quality of joy and enthusiasm which
music adds to community worship cannot be gained in any
other way. It imparts a sense of unity to the
congregation and sets the appropriate tone for a
particular celebration.
In addition to expressing
the texts, music can also unveil a dimension of meaning
and feeling, a communication of ideas and intuitions
which words alone cannot yield. This dimension is
integral to the human personality and to growth in faith.
It cannot be ignored if the signs of worship are to speak
to the whole person." ("Music in Catholic
Worship"; 23, 24)
Christ the Redeemer’s Music
Ministries
The various components
of the Ministries of Music all work together to serve the
Liturgy and support the prayer of the Community of the
Faithful when gathered for worship and celebration
whether at Eucharist, at sacramental celebrations, in
prayer services, or significant gatherings of the
Community. Music creates a unique experience of bonding
within the Assembly. As the words and melodies of the
songs are sung, the Assembly breathes as one person
allowing God’s Spirit to breath new life into us.
Brain wave patterns, heart rhythms, respiratory rates,
and blood pressure fall into synchronized rhythm with the
music, unifying all those gathered in the room whether
they are singing or listening. Music has the ability
reach into our hearts and to move us emotionally, inspire
us toward conversion, and challenge us into actions of
social justice. Music used in worship has the ability to
form us into one Body, breathing, singing, thinking,
feeling, and acting, as one being.
Those who are a part of the
Ministries of Music of Christ the Redeemer Catholic
Community are formed in an awareness of the
responsibility they have toward our Community and toward
their ministry. First and foremost, all who are a part of
the Ministries of Music are servants of God’s Word
and servants to the Community of Christ the Redeemer.
Each member works diligently to improve their skills as
musicians, singers, and liturgical ministers.
Growth through Ministry and
Growing Ministries
The beauty of this
ministry is that while each choir or ensemble member
works together to achieve the goals of their ministry,
they are also engaged in the experience of belonging to a
small faith-sharing community within the greater
Community of Faith. This is a place where the Sunday
Scriptures are shared and broken open each week at the
beginning of rehearsal; where faith is nurtured and
witnessed; where members can grow in friendship and
receive spiritual support in times of difficulty. In the
process of weekly preparations for liturgical ministry to
the Community, the choir and ensemble members discover
that they are also ministering to one another and are
being ministered to at the same time.
The various choirs and most
instrumental ensembles minister throughout the school
year. We begin our season of ministry by collaborating at
the annual "Mass in the Grass" (outdoor
liturgy) at the end of August. The regular season of
rehearsals and ministering at weekend liturgies begins on
the Sunday after Labor Day and concludes at the beginning
of June. Details for The Adult Choir and The Band, and
for CC-II (Teen and Young Adult Vocal Ensemble) and the
new CC-II Instrumental Ensemble follow in the
descriptions of the individual ministries.
We are building up the
future of our Music Ministry by developing the Junior
Chorus. Our goal is to develop young voices while at the
same time providing basic formation in Liturgical Music
Ministry. Up until this time, the Junior Chorus has been
one of two seasonal children’s Christmas choirs. We
now have a number of very talented young people (9 –
12 yrs. old) who have been singing in our children’s
choirs for several years, some since they were three
years old. The Junior Chorus will meet for rehearsal and
ministry training on Wednesday afternoons from 5:30
– 7:00 p.m. Once the evolving choir has received
adequate training and rehearsal, they will minister about
once a month at the 11:00 a.m. Sunday liturgy in
collaboration with CC-II.
I would like to invite you
to consider becoming a part of this important and vibrant
Liturgical Ministry. Take time to pray and to discern if
the Spirit has been nudging you in this direction. I
commission the members of our Community to become the
"talent scouts of the Holy Spirit" and to
encourage those who have good, strong voices to become
members of the choirs. If you know someone who is a
gifted instrumentalist, invite them to share their gifts
with our Community.
And to those who have
faithfully ministered to our Community through music, I
want to thank you for your commitment to excellence, for
the generosity you have embodied through the sharing of
your gifts of time and talents. Thank you for modeling
for our Faith Community what it means to be part of a
small faith-sharing community that is growing together
spiritually through the weekly nourishment of God’s
Word. Your ministry has a direct impact on how the
Community of Christ the Redeemer experiences itself,
worships together, and is evolving as Christ’s Body.
We bear a great responsibility as Ministers of Music. I
pray that the Spirit of God may fill each of us with the
grace, inspiration, and energy we need to fulfill our
mission to proclaim God’s Word in song and to lead
our Assemblies in prayer and praise as we strive to make
tangible the living presence of God’s healing,
loving embrace.
Mari Reyes
Director of Music Ministries (248-674-4493)
ADULT CHOIR
Sunday 9:00 a.m.
Liturgy; Rehearsals: Wednesdays at 7:15 p.m.
We are looking for a few good voices - especially
first tenors and first sopranos – these are people
who are able to sing easily and naturally in the upper
range of the voice without straining for the notes.
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Requirements: |
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Brief
vocal interview recommended for optimal placement
in vocal section;Must be able to sing in tune;
Sight reading skills not mandatory; |
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Expectations: |
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Attendance
of Ministry Preparation and Rehearsal; Ministry
at Sunday Liturgy and seasonal Holy Days (ex. -
Christmas and Holy Week Liturgies);
Participation in special liturgical celebrations
and concerts;
Attendance of Ministry Formation presentations as
offered;
Openness to nurturing your faith through growth
with others in Music Ministry
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THE BAND
Sunday 9:00 a.m.
Liturgy; Rehearsals: Wednesdays at 7:15 p.m.
We are seeking
musicians who play the following instruments: Electric
Guitar, Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, etc.
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Requirements: |
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Experienced
Instrumentalist; Audition; Must have strong sight
reading skills;
Good improvisational skills; Ability to transpose
your own music if needed; |
 |
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Expectations: |
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Attendance of
Ministry Preparation and Rehearsal; Ministry at
Sunday Liturgy and seasonal Holy Days (ex. -
Christmas and Holy Week Liturgies);
Participation in special liturgical celebrations
and concerts;
Attendance of Ministry Formation presentations as
offered;
Openness to nurturing your faith through growth
with others in Music Ministry
|
CC-II (CONTEMPORARY
CHOIR II) (Youth and
Young Adults, 7th grade thru College age)
Sunday 11:00 a.m. Liturgy; Rehearsals: Tuesdays from
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
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Requirements: |
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Vocal audition
recommended for optimal placement in vocal
section; Must be able to sing in tune;
Sight reading skills not mandatory, although the
ability to follow music is important; |
| |
Expectations:
 |
|
Attendance of
Ministry Preparation and Rehearsal; Ministry at
Sunday Liturgy and seasonal Holy Days (Christmas,
Holy Week, etc.); Participation in special
liturgical celebrations and concerts;
Attendance of Ministry Formation presentations as
offered;
Work cooperatively with Music Director &
members of Vocal & Instrumental Ensemble;
Behave respectfully toward self and others in
group;
Dress appropriately for Liturgical Ministry
following the Director’s guidelines;
Openness to nurturing your faith through growth
with others in Music Ministry
|
CC-II INSTRUMENTAL
ENSEMBLE (High School
or College age students)
Sunday 11:00 a.m. Liturgy; Rehearsals: Tuesdays
from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
We are seeking musicians who play the following
instruments: Guitar (acoustic & electric), Bass
(electric or acoustic string bass), Flute, Trombone,
Violin, Cello, Percussion, etc.
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Experience: |
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Studies in your
instrument for at least three years; |
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Proficiency level: |
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A ranking level
of One or Two in High School Solo/Ensemble
Festival, or equivalency; |
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Requirements: |
|
Audition; Strong
sight reading skills; Some ability to transpose
your music if needed; |
| |
Expectations: |
|
Attendance of
Ministry Preparation and Rehearsal; Ministry at
Sunday Liturgy and Holy Days (Christmas, Holy
Week, etc.); Participation in special liturgical
celebrations and concerts;
Attendance of Ministry Formation presentations as
offered;
Work cooperatively with Music Director &
members of Vocal & Instrumental Ensemble;
Behave respectfully toward self and others in
group;
Dress appropriately for Liturgical Ministry
following the Director’s guidelines;
Openness to nurturing your faith through growth
with others in Music Ministry
|
JUNIOR CHORUS (Ages: 9 – 12 years old)
Sunday 11:00 a.m. Liturgy, one Sunday per month;
Rehearsals: Wednesdays from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
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Junior Chorus
Requirements: |
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The Director of
Music will listen to your voice for the purpose
of placing you in the appropriate vocal section;
You should be able to sing in tune. |
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Expectations
for Junior Chorus Members: |
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Attendance of
weekly Rehearsal and Ministry
Preparation/Formation;
Ministry at monthly Sunday Liturgy and/or
seasonal Holy Days (Christmas, etc.);
Participation in special liturgical celebrations
and concerts;
Work cooperatively with Director of Music
Ministries & other members of Jr. Chorus;
Behave respectfully toward self and others in the
Junior Chorus and other members of the Music
Ministries; Dress appropriately for Liturgical
Ministry following the Director’s
guidelines;
Always do your best to serve God and our Parish
Family with the gifts that God gave you! |
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