Liturgical Ensembles

Liturgical ensembles provide musical leadership for worship in the Sunday assembly. Each liturgy has its own ensemble which may range in size from five or six to twenty or twenty-five members, singers and assorted instrumentalists. All ages and skill levels are welcome and emphasis is placed on both dedicated service and improvement of musical skills. Those involved often range from middle and high school through college age, as well as University faculty and staff and other interested community representatives.

Members are expected to attend weekly rehearsal, Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 PM, plus an hour before the Mass at which they serve. On Wednesday the musicians from all Masses work together on upcoming music, so participants have a chance to meet not only the members of their own groups but musicians in all liturgical ensembles. A wide variety of music is used from chant to contemporary, including hymnody and polyphony, always with the primary goal being the leadership of the assembly in sung prayer.

The parish owns a number of instruments including a wide variety of percussion options (tympani, marimba, orchestral chimes, drum sets, bongos, congas, hand percussion) that are available to be played. Cantors, those who lead the psalm and litanies of the Mass, are chosen from among liturgical ensemble members who demonstrate musical skill and confidence, dedication, and a pastoral spirit. The liturgical ensembles are under the direction of parish Director of Music Ministry, Mary Weber Bane, and Music Ministry Assistant Marlene Wilson, with the assistance of Music Ministry Intern Colleen Kochensparger.