Choral Ensembles
Choral Ensembles
The choirs represent a tradition of sacred choral music that has been at the center of the Roman Catholic Church for centuries. In following the thousand-year-old tradition of the Schola Cantorum, or choir school, we also strive to incorporate children into the heart of the parish music ministries. While our choristers maintain a busy schedule of rehearsals, liturgies, and concerts, our primary focus is to serve as ministers of the word through music. As such, great importance is first placed on the Word of God and how, utilizing music as the vehicle by which we administer the Word of God to the congregation, we may be able to enrich the liturgy and the prayer life of our congregation. In so doing, profound attention is given to the text of each hymn, antiphon, psalm, acclamation, and anthem that is sung by the singers.
Choristers also receive training in the fundamentals of music, including sight-reading, ear-training, and music theory. Choirs provide music for liturgies throughout the choral season, September (after Labor Day) through June (Corpus Christi), and have the opportunity to tour throughout the area and nation each year.
As a family, we pray together, celebrate birthdays and anniversaries, and have multiple opportunities for fellowship in and outside of the parish. Membership is open to all!
Mass Schedule - Ensembles
Saturday 5:15 p.m. Mass - Cantor & Piano
Sunday 7 a.m. Mass - Cantor & Organ
Sunday 9 a.m. Mass - St. Maria Goretti Choir or St. Maria Goretti Choristers
Sunday 11 a.m. Mass - Choral Scholars
Sunday 5:15 p.m. Mass - Schola Cantorum
Join the Choirs
The music ministry is always seeking new members to join our family of music ministers! By clicking on a box below, you will be able to learn more about each ensemble, review each group's rehearsal schedule, and register for membership.
For more information regarding Music Ministry policies and membership expectations, please see the Music Ministry Membership Handbook.
St. Maria Goretti Choir
An auditioned choir of men and women
The St. Maria Goretti Choir is an auditioned vocal ensemble for adults and advanced high school students. The St. Maria Goretti Choir regularly leads liturgies at the parish throughout the choral season. Singers with foundational musical knowledge and reading abilities are invited to join this choral ensemble. All members seeking to join the Choir will be required to complete an audition with the Director of Music. The choir sings for the Sunday 9:00 a.m. liturgy and for many Feast Days and Solemnities throughout the choral season.
Past repertoire has included: Schubert's Mass in G, Faure's Requiem, Mozart Missa Brevis in F, Gounod's Messe Breve No. 7 aux chappelles, and the music of Palestrina, Allegri, Tallis, Vaughan Williams, Howells, Chilcott, Lauridsen, and many more.
Rehearsal Schedule - Thursdays, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. (September – Beginning of June)
Registration - Please fill out the online registration form
Choral Scholars
Professional auditioned choir of men and women
The Choral Scholars is a chamber vocal ensemble of eight professional singers. Auditions for this ensemble are available throughout the course of the choral season on an as-needed basis. The choir can often be heard singing music from the Renaissance to modern choral classics. The choir primarily sings for the Sunday 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. liturgies and for many Feast Days and Solemnities throughout the season.
Past repertoire has included the music of Rheinberger, Faure, Buxtehude, Schutz, Palestrina, Elgar, Vaughan Williams, Tallis, Mozart and many more.
Rehearsal Schedule - Thursdays, 6:30 - 9:15 p.m.
To audition as a staff singer, please click here
St. Maria Goretti Schola Cantorum
Non-auditioned chant-based ensembles for men and women, ages 15+
The St. Maria Goretti Schola Cantorum is a non-auditioned, chant ensemble that provides sacred music the Sunday 5:15 p.m. liturgy by chanting the Propers, Ordinary, and other portions of the Holy Mass through the recitation of plainsong and hymnody. Chant is utilized in both English and Latin. While no audition is required, all members seeking to join the SMG Schola Cantorum will be required to undergo a vocal hearing with the Director of Music. Members will be trained to read chant notation.
Rehearsal Schedule - 2nd and 4th Sundays, 4 - 5 p.m. (September – Beginning of June)
Registration - Please fill out the online registration form
The St. Maria Goretti Choristers
Choir of boys and girls, grades 3-8
The St. Maria Goretti Choristers are comprised of students with treble voices (unexpanded or “unchanged” voices) in grades 3-8. All members receive music education and vocal training through the Royal School of Church Music’s VOICE for LIFE program at St. Maria Goretti Catholic School.
The Choristers adhere to a unique schedule of rehearsals and responsibilities including singing for liturgies throughout each month of the choral season and for civic events. In addition, the choristers participate in special services, tours, recordings, and retreats throughout the year. The Choristers can be heard singing regularly at liturgies with the SMG Choir and independently. The choir primarily sings for the Sunday 9 a.m. liturgy and for many Feast Days and Solemnities throughout the choral season.
Students seeking admission into the St. Maria Goretti Choristers must be students of St. Maria Goretti Catholic School and successfully complete an audition. For more information regarding the curriculum and program, please click here.
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