Music Ministries
St. Augustine is often credited with saying that the person who sings prays twice. Music is an integral part of Catholic worship, and all of the musical ministries at Christ the King are dedicated to a high standard of excellence in liturgical music. These ministries seek to inspire and lead the assembly in a wide variety of hymns, songs, chants, and responses. All who are interested in sharing their musical gifts are welcome—there is a place for everyone! Please do not hesitate to contact Lindsey in the parish office with any question about how to join our various ensembles.
The Liturgical Choir is heard at the 8:45 AM Mass each week during the choir season (Labor Day through the feast of Corpus Christi). The choir sings a wide variety of liturgical music, including hymnody, chants, and contemporary Catholic songs, all in a variety of arrangements. The choir is made up of parishioners of all musical abilities, and we practice weekly skills like reading music and vocal/choral technique. All members of the parish who have the desire to raise their voices in song and learn a variety of musical styles are welcome to join. This is truly a prayerful, family-like ministry that has a lot of fun and grows close through singing and fellowship, all while providing exceptional music for Sunday Masses, solemnities and feasts, and other special liturgies and prayer events.
The Christ the King school choir provides music for the all-school Mass during the week as well as other special liturgies for the parish. We sing standard hymnody, chants, and contemporary Catholics songs. The choir is composed of students in fourth through eighth grade who called to foster their musical gifts as well as their Catholic faith. Rehearsals for the choir occur on Tuesday afternoons from 3:00 through 4:30 PM, during which time the choir rehearses songs for the coming Mass, play choir games, and learn extra music for other events throughout the year. Instrumentalists are most welcome, and pairs of cantors are selected for each Mass. Students who are interested in playing instruments or cantoring are encouraged to attend extra practice sessions.
The Handbell Choir supports the singing of the assembly and enhances select liturgical celebrations throughout the year. The choir is made up of parishioners of all musical abilities and no experience is necessary.
Cantors lead the congregation in song during Sunday Masses. They must possess a strong level of comfort with music as well as demonstrate a rounded knowledge of their faith. This allows them to truly add meaning to the words they sing and inspire the assembly to join them in the gift of sung prayer. They fulfill an important role during the summer as well as choir season. Training is provided for all new cantors.
Scripture tells us to praise the Lord on the harp, trumpet, pipe, tambourine, and cymbals—”let everything that has breath give praise to the Lord!” We welcome instrumentalists for our Sunday Masses as well as feasts and solemnities, special liturgies, prayer services, and retreats. There is a place for all instruments—string, woodwind, brass, and percussion. Parishioners with skills in a particular instrument are certainly invited to share their talents!
Composed primarily of adult choir members, the seasonal choir comes together during the pre-Christmas and pre-Easter seasons to provide music and sung prayer for these special times of the church year. They are also welcome to join for events such as Taizé prayer, praise and worship nights, and vespers. This choir is open to parishioners who may not have availability for a full-time choir commitment but still wish to fulfill a musical role during these special liturgical seasons. Seasonal choir members are typically experienced singers who are comfortable reading and learning music quickly, as they come to fewer rehearsals. Rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 PM beginning in late fall, and extra rehearsals are often scheduled as the choir requires it. Announcements for this choir can be found in the bulletin.
