Music Ministry
The Music Ministry creates the setting and brings the active participation of the entire community into the liturgy. There are several opportunities to serve within this ministry. Unless otherwise noted, the contact for all Music Ministry is:
Contact:
Brian Fife, Music Director
847-253-8600 x136 / B.Fife@st-raymond.org
Parish Choir
The Parish Choir supports the worshipping assembly weekly at the Sunday 11 am liturgy, beginning in September, and ending at Pentecost in May or June. It also sings at Christmas, Holy Week, and Easter celebrations. Aside from the regularly planned songs and responses, this choir presents a wide range of musical repertoire of varied styles. Rehearsals of the Parish Choir take place in the church on Wednesday nights at 7 pm. Membership is open to all adults and high school teens who feel the call to serve God and this faith community through sung praise and prayer. The Parish Choir begins rehearsing again on Wednesday, September 3rd, and new members can join at any time.
Part-time Choir
The Part-time choir is open to all adults interested in praising God through singing and/or playing an instrument once a month on Saturday at the 5 pm mass. Rehearsals for this choir take place at 7 pm on the Thursday night before the Saturday in which it sings. September’s rehearsal and mass will be on Thursday, September 25th, and Saturday, September 27th.
Instrumentalists
Many devoted instrumentalists volunteer their time and talent in service of the liturgy at St. Raymond. The instrumentalists are responsible for much of the unique “sound” of our liturgies. Instrumentalists can include rhythm section instruments such as guitar, bass guitar, drums, as well as melody instruments such as flute, clarinet, saxophone, violin, cello, etc. A moderate to high level of proficiency on one’s instrument is needed. An audition is required.
Children’s Choir
The Children’s Choir is open to all students in grades two through six. It provides the opportunity for developing musical skills and understanding of the liturgy through upbeat, spiritual music and frequent participation in Masses. It will usually sing on the first Sunday of the month, from fall through spring, at the 11 am liturgy. The Children’s Choir will also sing on Christmas Eve at the 3 pm Mass and on Easter Sunday. For those in grades 4-6, there will be opportunities to begin learning the fundamentals of cantoring through a mentoring process, which will lead to real-life experience at the cantor podium! Rehearsals of the Children’s Choir take place on designated Monday afternoons from 4-5 pm in the church. The first rehearsal will be on Monday, September 15th, and the choir’s first mass is scheduled for Sunday, October 5th at 11 am.
Teen Choir
The Teen Choir is open to anyone in grades 7-12 and ministers at the teen-led 6:30 pm Sunday night liturgy that takes place once a month. Rehearsals are typically once a month on a Thursday at 8 pm, with some exceptions. The group will learn and perform more advanced liturgical music repertoire in a variety of styles, with emphasis on part singing. Members will be given opportunities for semi-regular cantor/solo assignments during the liturgy. The Teen Choir will sing on Christmas Eve at the 5 pm mass. For more Sunday Evening information.
For further information about:
The Parish Choir, Part-time Choir, Cantors, Instrumentalists, and Teen Choir, please email Brian Fife at b.fife@st-raymond.org or call at (847) 253-8600 x136.
The Children’s Choir, please email Lucie Kreidler at Lucie88k@gmail.com or call at 847-477-8032.
PLEASE NOTE: All adults (18 yrs or older) must complete Virtus Training and be compliant with all steps of Protecting God’s Children within 3 months of participation in the music ministry.