Music Ministry

The sacred stories of Scripture recount that God’s people are singers!
Christ himself sang with his apostles.
And so we, as Christ’s disciples, follow in his way and sing.
We sing with gratitude in our hearts. 
 

Saint Joseph Parish is blessed with a vibrant ministry of choirs, cantors, and instrumentalists made up of parishioners with musical gifts who give of their time and talent to praise God through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit; support the assembly in its worship; and to enhance the musical prayer of the liturgy.

Those in our parish music ministry will be more than happy to tell you that this joyful work not only enriches their spiritual life but also rewards them with the great gift of friendship with other music makers along life’s journey. Together, as we minister serving God and this assembly, our faith life is enriched communally! Consider joining one of the many ways to praise the Lord with music and help lead our community’s song.

Saint Joseph Choir rehearses on Tuesday evenings at 7:15 p.m. beginning September 12th. The Choir sings many styles of music to praise the Lord and serves as the music ministers for the Sunday 9:00 or 11:00 a.m. Masses.

Cantors serve as animators of the assembly leading the sung prayer. Cantors need to already be proficient in the craft of “solo” singing since their main responsibility is to proclaim the Psalm each Sunday as well as lead the central ritual music (when needed) that is the sung prayer of the Mass. Cantors also sing the verses to the Communion Song and other processional music. Extensive training is provided to prepare the potential cantor.

Saint Joseph Handbell Choir plays on its own as well as with the vocal choir of the parish at selected liturgies throughout the year, averaging once a month. Anyone high school age or older with some music reading ability is welcome. Training is offered to learn handbell technique before joining the choir. Rehearsals are Wednesdays from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. beginning September 13th.

Instrumentalists at Saint Joseph Church bless our parish tremendously! We currently enjoy the wonderful talents of people who share their gifts playing clarinet, flute, piano, recorder, sax, and violin! A person who serves as an instrumentalist needs to be rather proficient since “training” is not provided at the parish level. It would be a great blessing to this ministry if a bass player, percussionist, and guitarist could join the ranks to enhance our contemporary music.

New! Sunday Night Ensemble serves as the music ministers for the first and third Sundays of the month beginning in October. Rehearsals start at 4:00pm on the day of each liturgy.
 
Funeral Ministry Team and Choir is comprised of parishioners willing to accompany the grieving by attending the Funeral Mass, and supporting the families’ and friends’ participation in the prayers, responses, postures and singing of the Mass. You don’t have to consider yourself a “singer” in order join this group, just be a generous heart with some time! You are an assembly member who supports by praying with the grieving. The parish schedules most funerals around 10:00 a.m., and we contact the team members through email, text, or phone tree - whichever is most convenient for the individual. Members arrive about a half hour before each funeral and attend when it fits their schedule.

Children's Christman Choir registration is open. We need at least 15 children in order to sing for the 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass in the Church.

To serve in any of these music ministries, contact Bob Valle at the parish center (630-964-0216, ext. 1209) or by email (bvalle@sjpdg.org). For the Handbell Choir, contact Bob or our Handbell Choir director, Darlene Crilly (dcrilly@sjpdg.org).