SING TO THE LORD, BLESS HIS NAME!
The Church of St. Peter is a parish that loves to sing, and we are blessed to have many talented and dedicated musicians. Our music ministry represents all ages and many styles of music. Of course, the primary choir of the Church is the the congregation in the pews lifting their voices as one in praise to our Creator! However, we also have many ensembles that enhance our music with their vocal and instrumental talents.
“God has bestowed upon his people the gift of song. God dwells within each human person, in the place where music takes its source. Indeed, God, the giver of song, is present whenever his people sing his praises.”
–Sing to the Lord, USCCB
–Sing to the Lord, USCCB
Music Ministries
Adult Choir
Our Adult Choir sings regularly at Sunday Mass and on other Holy Days. We sing music in a variety of styles, from traditional polyphony to contemporary anthems. The ability to read music is not necessary, but it is very helpful. The Adult Choir rehearses every Wednesday (September to Corpus Christi) at 7:00 p.m., and we always welcome new members!
Festival Choir
The Festival Choir is a great way to experience singing with the choir with a short-term commitment. The Festival Choir joins the Adult Choir on Wednesdays for about 5 rehearsals in preparation to sing at the two primary celebrations of the Church Year: The Easter Vigil and Christmas Day.
Junior Choir
Our Junior Choir is open to anyone from the parish from grades 7-12 and sings regularly at Mass. We sing in 1-3 voice parts, and sing everything from Gregorian chant to contemporary anthems. The Junior Choir rehearses on Thursdays from 5:00-6:00 p.m. Please see the Junior Choir page for more information and to download a registration form.
Children's Choir
The Children's Choir is open to all children of the parish, grades 1-6. We sing in unison to develop skills in matching pitch and producing a beautiful sound. The Children's Choir sings about once a month during the school year, with a special focus on important feasts in the Church Year. They rehearse every Wednesday from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Our first rehearsal will be on Wednesday, September 26; please see the Children's Choir page for more information and to download a registration form.
Contemporary Ensemble
The Contemporary Ensemble enriches the music at Mass with vocal harmonies, flute, and guitar. They sing regularly at Sunday Mass as well as Holy Days.
African Choir
The African Choir sings a few times a year for the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass at St. Peters. They usually have their most festive Mass at the end of August, in honor of St. Augustine of Hippo's feast day (August 28). While most of our African community come from Nigeria and Cameroon, they sing in an impressive number of languages. In the African tradition, they prioritize having extensive praise and worship music before Mass begins, so be sure to come early!
Cantors
Our cantors serve at the majority of our Masses. The cantor is entrusted with proclaiming the Word of God first in the Responsorial Psalm, and then in the Gospel Acclamation/Alleluia and Gospel verse. Beyond that, they support and foster congregational singing of the Ordinary of the Mass (Gloria, Holy Holy and others) and the proper hymns of the Mass. Cantors need to know how to read music. We always welcome new cantors! Please contact church@stpetersnsp.org if you are interested in becoming a cantor.
Instrumentalists
Instrumental music can beautifully enhance the singing at Mass, and I would love to encourage more of our parish instrumentalists to come forward. The ability to fluently read and sightread music is required, and non c-instruments may need to transpose by sight. The ability to improvise and read both bass and treble clefs is extremely valuable in liturgical and choral music. All instrumentalists must meet with Nicole before they begin playing at Mass. If you play an instrument and would like to play alongside a choral ensemble at Mass, please contact church@stpetersnsp.org
Our Adult Choir sings regularly at Sunday Mass and on other Holy Days. We sing music in a variety of styles, from traditional polyphony to contemporary anthems. The ability to read music is not necessary, but it is very helpful. The Adult Choir rehearses every Wednesday (September to Corpus Christi) at 7:00 p.m., and we always welcome new members!
Festival Choir
The Festival Choir is a great way to experience singing with the choir with a short-term commitment. The Festival Choir joins the Adult Choir on Wednesdays for about 5 rehearsals in preparation to sing at the two primary celebrations of the Church Year: The Easter Vigil and Christmas Day.
Junior Choir
Our Junior Choir is open to anyone from the parish from grades 7-12 and sings regularly at Mass. We sing in 1-3 voice parts, and sing everything from Gregorian chant to contemporary anthems. The Junior Choir rehearses on Thursdays from 5:00-6:00 p.m. Please see the Junior Choir page for more information and to download a registration form.
Children's Choir
The Children's Choir is open to all children of the parish, grades 1-6. We sing in unison to develop skills in matching pitch and producing a beautiful sound. The Children's Choir sings about once a month during the school year, with a special focus on important feasts in the Church Year. They rehearse every Wednesday from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Our first rehearsal will be on Wednesday, September 26; please see the Children's Choir page for more information and to download a registration form.
Contemporary Ensemble
The Contemporary Ensemble enriches the music at Mass with vocal harmonies, flute, and guitar. They sing regularly at Sunday Mass as well as Holy Days.
African Choir
The African Choir sings a few times a year for the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass at St. Peters. They usually have their most festive Mass at the end of August, in honor of St. Augustine of Hippo's feast day (August 28). While most of our African community come from Nigeria and Cameroon, they sing in an impressive number of languages. In the African tradition, they prioritize having extensive praise and worship music before Mass begins, so be sure to come early!
Cantors
Our cantors serve at the majority of our Masses. The cantor is entrusted with proclaiming the Word of God first in the Responsorial Psalm, and then in the Gospel Acclamation/Alleluia and Gospel verse. Beyond that, they support and foster congregational singing of the Ordinary of the Mass (Gloria, Holy Holy and others) and the proper hymns of the Mass. Cantors need to know how to read music. We always welcome new cantors! Please contact church@stpetersnsp.org if you are interested in becoming a cantor.
Instrumentalists
Instrumental music can beautifully enhance the singing at Mass, and I would love to encourage more of our parish instrumentalists to come forward. The ability to fluently read and sightread music is required, and non c-instruments may need to transpose by sight. The ability to improvise and read both bass and treble clefs is extremely valuable in liturgical and choral music. All instrumentalists must meet with Nicole before they begin playing at Mass. If you play an instrument and would like to play alongside a choral ensemble at Mass, please contact church@stpetersnsp.org
If you have questions about any of our music ministries, or would like to join,
please email church@stpetersnsp.org
please email church@stpetersnsp.org
