Music Ministry

• Mass Music Changes at St. Alphonsus Parish

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• Why Does the Cantor Sing Psalm Verses Different from What Appears in OUr Hymnal

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• The Influence of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (G.I.R.M.)

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• The Music Scene @ St. Alphonsus Parish

Music Program 2018 - 2019

Adult/Teen Choir ~ Rehearsals start Wed., August 30 at 7 p.m.

Our Adult/Teen Choir (grades 7 through adult) sings on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month from September through Pentecost (late May or early June) at the Sunday 10:30am Mass, and for additional special Masses, such as Christmas Midnight Mass, Triduum, Easter, Immaculate Conception, etc.

We rehearse Wednesday evenings in the Nave from 7 - 8:30 p.m.

Sunday 5 p.m. Mass Singers and Instrumentalists ~ Rehearsals start Sun., September 3 at 4 p.m.

Instrumentalists and singers (grades 6 - 12) lead contemporary-style liturgical music every Sunday for the 5 p.m. Mass from the first Sunday in September through the last Sunday in May. The repertoire offers music in unison and parts, and engages percussion as well as C, Bb, and Eb instrumental parts.

Rehearsals are regularly each Sunday from 4 - 4:45 p.m. in the nave.

Cantors ~ Year-round

Cantors lead the liturgical music and hymns to engage the congregation's sung prayer. 

Two - three group rehearsals are scheduled Sept. – May; rehearsals for specific Masses are individually scheduled, allowing for one-on-one vocal coaching.

Elementary-Age Boys' & Girls' Schola

Rehearsals:  Saturday mornings, 9 and 10 a.m.

Calendar:     
   1st Semester: Rehearsals start Sept. 9; end Dec. 3
                          Sing 1st & 3rd Sundays of the month 9:20 a.m. for 10:30 a.m. Mass - start Oct. 1; end Dec. 3

   2nd Semester:  Rehearsals start Jan. 13; end Mar. 24
​                            Sing 1st & 3rd Sundays of the month 9:20 a.m. for 10:30 a.m. Mass - start Jan. 21; end Mar. 24

ANNOUNCING
CHILDREN’S TALENT SEARCH!
 
The Music Ministry is conducting a TALENT SEARCH at St. Alphonsus Liguori! Lee Barlow, Director of Sacred Music, is seeking boys and girls in 3^rd and 4^th grade who exhibit an exceptional talent in singing ~ making them eligible to interview for inclusion as charter members in the new St. Alphonsus Boys’ Schola and St. Alphonsus Girls’ Schola. Each Schola offers limited openings.
 
The Scholas provide vocal and musical training within the Catholic liturgical construct. This empowers our young people to artfully and intelligently perform music ministry for the Sacred Liturgy as Choristers (choral singers). Eventually some may also serve as Cantors.
 
The training spills positively into school life as well. Some of Mr. Barlow’s former choristers have mentioned added benefits that include finding middle school choir ‘super easy.' One former chorister passed her auditions for both the Zionsville High School Chamber Choir and Show Choir with no additional coaching (!) and was not daunted by the associated theory and vocal requirements.
 
If you sense that your child is gifted vocally, Mr. Barlow is happy to hear your child sing the well-known song 
Happy Birthday to You.   
 
To set up your “hearing”, please email Mr. Barlow at sacredmusic@zionsvillecatholic.com, placing “Boys Schola Hearing” or “Girls Schola Hearing” in the subject line. “Hearings” are held at St. Alphonsus in the nave from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Saturday, August 26 and Saturday, September 2. One or more parents must accompany the child.

Christmas Festival Choir for Midnight Mass (7th grade through adult)

Rehearsals:  Wednesdays (and a few Sundays) starting Nov. 8 at 7 p.m.

Easter Festival Choir for both Vigil & Easter Sunday (7th grade through adult)

Rehearsals:  Wednesdays starting February 21 at 7 p.m.

For more information, please contact Director of Sacred Music, Lee Barlow, at 317-873-2885, Ext. 510, or sacredmusic@zionsvillecatholic.com