Join our Holy Spirit Choirs
“‘The singing of the Church comes ultimately out of love. It is the utter depth of love that produces the singing. “Cantare amantis est’, says St. Augustine – singing is a lover’s thing. In so saying, we come again to the trinitarian interpretation of Church music. The Holy Spirit is love, and it is he who produces the singing. He is the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit who draws us into love for Christ and so leads to the Father.”
– Joseph Card. Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI), The Spirit of the Liturgy, p. 142
Music is an important part of the liturgical life of Holy Spirit Parish
With three choirs and over 50 musicians, our music program is thriving and growing. We consider music to be a form of exalted prayer, and it is our mission to stir the hearts and minds of the faithful into a more profound union with Our Lord by means of this sacred art. Our doors are always open to those who wish to “sing joyfully to God, [serving] the Lord with gladness” (Psalm 100:1). We invite you to explore the many opportunities for participation in liturgical music that our church has to offer, echoing the words of Jesus: “Come and see” (John 1:39).
The St. Gregory the Great Choir
Mass: Sundays at 10:30 AM | Rehearsal: Thursdays from 7:00-9:00 PM
Under the patronage of Gregory I, Pope and Doctor of the Church, the St. Gregory the Great Choir sings at 10:30 AM on Sundays as well as on Holy Days of Obligation and other key feasts and events throughout the liturgical year (Ash Wednesday, Holy Week, Confirmations, etc.). This choir is committed to bringing about a high standard of sacred music within the liturgical setting for which it was conceived. Choristers are accompanied by organ, and music selections consist of a combination of classic hymnody taken from the St. Michael Hymnal, chant, and choral pieces dating from the Renaissance up to the 20th/21st centuries. Recent repertoire has included works by Palestrina, Victoria, Byrd, Saint-Saëns, Rachmaninoff, Vaughan Williams, and Duruflé, among others. The choral season runs from early September to late May/early June, with summers off.
For more information, please contact Alberto González, Director of Music, at [email protected].
The St. Cecilia Youth Choir
Mass: Sundays at 9:00 AM | Rehearsal: Thursdays from 5:00-6:30 PM; Sundays from 8:30-8:45 AM
Named for the Patroness of Musicians, the St. Cecilia Youth Choir sings at 9:00 AM on Sundays, as well as on Holy Days of Obligation. The choir is open to young musicians in grades 3-12 at any parochial, private, public, or homeschool. Choristers are instructed in the development of vocal technique, the execution of Gregorian chant, and the fundamentals of choral singing. Rehearsals are led according to the principles of the Ward Method of Music Instruction, a musical pedagogy system designed to give young musicians comprehensive training in the musical arts. This choir is designed to equip its members with a core set of musical skills that will form a solid foundation for more advanced instruction in music. Choristers are accompanied by organ, and music selections consist of chant and classic hymnody taken from the St. Michael Hymnal. The choral season runs from early September to late May/early June, with summers off.
For more information, please contact Lisa Gullickson, Choirmaster for the St. Cecilia Youth Choir, at [email protected].
The Contemporary Praise Group (CPG)
Mass: Sundays at 6:00 PM | Rehearsal: Wednesdays from 7:30-9:00 PM; Sundays from 5:30-5:50 PM
The Contemporary Praise Group (CPG) is an ensemble of singers and instrumentalists that provides music on Sundays at 6:00 PM. Singers are usually accompanied by guitars, bass, and piano, but instrumentalists of all sorts are welcome to join. Musical selections of diverse contemporary styles are drawn primarily from the Breaking Bread hymnal by OCP, with occasional picks from other sources. This group enjoys great fellowship and makes the most of every opportunity to make a joyful sound unto the Lord! CPG sings throughout the whole year, but takes the third Sunday of each month off. Rehearsals are year-round with a lighter summer schedule.
For more information, please contact Beverly Nejako, CPG Music Coordinator, at [email protected].