Musicians and Choirs

“Those who sing pray twice” is a well known saying among those in liturgical ministry.  At Saint Gregory the Great, we have the benefit of many skilled musicians and many eager voices ready to be raised in musical prayer.

The Saint Gregory the Great Chorale is composed of adult men and women of the parish (9th grade to senior citizen).  This choir enhances our liturgies with choral offerings in a variety of styles and seeks to encourage the active participation of all in the sung prayer of the Church.  The Chorale sings two to three weekends a month at the Saturday 5:00 p.m. or the Sunday 9:00 Mass.  From the membership of the chorale come our cantors, soloists, and small groups that cover weekend liturgies throughout the year.  Rehearsals for the Chorale are held every Thursday from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the choir loft.  Cantor, soloist, and small group rehearsals are usually held before the full chorale rehearsal.

The Men’s Chorus and The Women’s Chorus provide a way for adults in the parish to participate in one-time events with minimal rehearsal time required.  There are usually three to four practices (before the regularly scheduled choir practices on Thursday evenings) for these scheduled weekend Mass times, which happen two to three times a year.  Other special liturgical events throughout the year offer opportunities for these special choruses to combine: The Feast of Christ the King (last Sunday in the Church year), Christmas, Holy Week/Easter, and the Gospel Mass mentioned above. 

Further information about these chorus opportunities can be found in the weekly parish bulletin or the quarterly newsletter.

The Lazarus Choir is a group of adult singers available for parish funerals, usually on short notice.  The presence of the choir offers support, comfort, and joy to family and friends amid their grief.  It is not necessary for members to be able to attend every funeral.  As a result, the Lazarus Choir offers another possibility for someone unable to commit to the regular weekly schedule of the parish choir.  The Lazarus Choir meets a half hour before a funeral begins and has several other rehearsals during the year to review repertoire and learn new music.

The Contemporary Adult Ensemble sings at the 11:00 a.m. Sunday Mass each week.  This ensemble sings both contemporary music and traditional music done in a contemporary setting.  The ensemble is accompanied by guitars, drums, piano, and other instruments.  Rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the choir loft.  High school age young adults are welcome and provide musical leadership at the Youth Mass at selected times throughout the year.

The Spanish Music Ensemble sings every week at the Sunday 1:00 p.m. Spanish Mass.  Rehearsals are before Mass begins and from 2:00-3:00 p.m. to get music ready for the following weekend.  Both vocalists and instrumentalists are needed.

Ward Method Course classes for adults are held in the Fall and Winter.  Beginning and advanced classes are offered during the daytime and in the evening.  The Ward Method is a rapid sight-reading, sight-singing course that benefits all, whether you have participated in music performance before or have limited music background.  Classes are held for six weeks, two 50-minute classes a week.

The Children’s Choir is composed of youth of the parish who are in the 2nd through the 6th grade.  This choir sings four to five times a year (including Christmas, Palm Sunday, and Mother’s day).  Rehearsals begin five weeks before a singing event, meeting from on Mondays 4:40 to 5:30 p.m. in the Saint Augustine Room.

The Youth Schola is an audition-only group of boys and girls, 4th-8th grade.  This Schola is a separate, specialized choir that sings at Youth Masses, special events and occasionally with the SGG Chorale, as well as travel to perform outside of the parish.  The Schola has active membership in Pueri Cantores, the official student choral organization of the Catholic Church; repertoire emphasis is on the sacred, classical music of the Church.  The Schola meets every Thursday from 4:30-6:00 p.m. for study of the Ward Method, vocal technique and rehearsal.  Auditions are held each year in late summer.