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St. Maria Goretti has four organized choirs: the Adult Choir that sings at the 9:00 a.m. Sunday Mass and for other special occasions; the Contemporary Choir that sings at the 11:00 a.m. Mass; SpiriitSong Choir which sings twice a month at the 5:15 Saturday evening Mass, and the Resurrection Choir that sings for funerals. Click on each music ministry below to read more details.
Music is what brings Mass to life for me. When I was searching for a parish, I listened to the choirs/music to make my final decision. When I first came to SMG, I didn't realize that there were so many different choirs! I enjoyed the music of each choir that I listened to. I also really liked SMG's demographic. It reminded me a lot of my home parish ... many young families! My work schedule at first only allowed me to attend the 5:15 p.m. Mass and sing with the SpiritSong Choir, which was great. For a few years now, my schedule fits more into the 11 a.m. Mass's Contemporary Choir. This is a great group of friends who I consider my church family. If I am having a rough week, I look forward to choir practice to help to recenter myself. My spirits are always lifted and renewed after an evening of singing to God. The same goes for singing on Sundays. My week just is not complete without it!"
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Sing to the Lord a new song, sing to the Lord all the earth.
Ps 96 vs1
It's been said many times that to sing is to pray twice and I have found that to be true. Singing in choir has deepened my appreciation of the psalms and hymns, which closely follow the scripture readings for the liturgical seasons. It has enhanced the celebration of the Mass and Eucharist for me and hopefully also for the whole congregation.
Many years ago I joined the 9 a.m. Adult Choir (the only one, at that time) at the invitation of one of the members. It felt like a homecoming to me because I had sung in choirs from 4th through 12th grades. We are a family: we respect and love one another, support and pray for each other and have fun and party together. It all happens under the direction of our musically talented, good-humored, pun-loving leader Dennis McKinley and our ever-patient accompanist Carrie Backman.
Come join us and "make a joyful noise unto the Lord".
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After several years out-of-state, my husband and I relocated to Madison. Our search for our new home parish came to an end when we attended Mass at St. Maria Goretti and the heaven-sent voices of the Adult Choir filled the church. I knew we were home. Ever since I began playing my flute in church in the 8th grade, a church is not home without a great choir and this definitely is one. Each choir member is a wondrous part of the whole. We are family, sharing and supporting one another through the good and the difficult times.
It is a blessing to be a member of the Adult Choir. The time commitment is minimal, even for a busy mother of two. We practice only one night per week and sing on Sunday mornings. Our two young children are growing up watching and appreciating a greatly directed team. Although my favorite choir song “Come Home” has a more heavenly message, for me it means more, because I am home up in the St. Maria Goretti Choir Loft.
Parish member, wife, and mother of two young sons |
Adult Choir rehearsals are held 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday evenings. No audition is required, just the desire to praise God in song and to enjoy working hard to develop the best choral music in the eucharistic setting.
Contact: Dennis McKinley, 497-0143
Contemporary Choir meets at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday evenings. As denoted by the name, this choir is targeted for the younger members of the congregation and sings more upbeat, but still sacred, music. No audition is required, and there is no age limit. The young-at-heart as well as the youth are encouraged to join.
Contact: Amy Carran, 288-9255
SpiritSong Choir usually sings two Saturdays a month at 5:15 p.m. Mass.
Contact: Tessa Sawchuck, 274-7740; Jane Henneberry, 833-1066
The Resurrection Choir provides music to enhance the funeral liturgies and to provide comfort to the mourners. This choir welcomes all who are available on a short notice. This includes those who are retired, those not working during the day, and those who are able to take time from their work schedule to minister to the grieving. You would not have to be available for all the funerals.
Contact: Mary Clemons, 277-9724; Lisa Kjentvet, 824-0693
Cantors/Song leaders are leaders of music at the liturgies when the choirs are not singing. Cantors need to have a solo voice with clear diction and good voice modulation. The cantor who serves the assembly also proclaims the Word of God by singing the responsorial psalm; the cantor and lector are partners in the proclamation of the Scriptures.
Contact Mary Clemons, 277-9724
Instrumentalists play an important part in the liturgy. There is always a need for organists and others who are proficient on the keyboard. Training for playing at a liturgical service would be available. At times we enhance our musical repertoire with the use of other instruments, such as strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion. All instrumentalists are encouraged to volunteer their services so that we know who is available when the need arises.
Contact: Mary Clemons, 277-9724.