Liturgical Music Ministries
What are Liturgical Music Ministries?
Liturgical Music has “…inner qualities that enable it to add greater depth to prayer, unity to the assembly, or dignity to the ritual.” ~ Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship; US Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Liturgical Assembly
The music ministry at St. Katharine’s involves the efforts of many. The goal, of course, of music in worship is that everyone sings and loves to sing in praise of God. The Adult Choir sings on Sundays at the 9:30 Mass, September through June.
- Cantors lead the congregational singing from the ambo at each Mass.
- The Adult Choir sings at the 9:30 Mass three to four Sundays a month.
- Instrumentalists assist at many of the weekly Masses, particularly through the Cecilia Scholars program.
- The Children’s Choir (Grades K-6) singing at the 9:30 Mass one Sunday a month.
- The Youth (Teen) Choir (Grades 7-12) sings at the 6pm Mass one Sunday a month.
- Support Staff – dedicated people behind the scenes help make the music ministry run smoothly: clerical assistance includes sorting, filing, collating, and preparing mailings.
What are volunteers asked to do?
- Cantors lead the assembly in song at all parish liturgical celebrations. They rehearse with the Music Director according to their individual schedules and needs. A pleasant, clear voice, the ability to stand in front of the assembly, and good presence are necessary.
- Adult Choir meets on Tuesday evenings from 7:15 to 8:45 PM and sings at the 9:30 AM Mass on Sunday and at other important liturgies throughout the year. The ability to read music is helpful (but not required), and a love of music and liturgy is essential.
- Instrumentalists – primarily guitar, woodwind, brass, and string players – embellish the music of the liturgy. Both regular and occasional rehearsals are necessary.
- The Children’s Choir rehearses during the school day at the parish school. Rehearsal tracks are also provided by email to members that are not enrolled in the school, so that they may practice on their own and join the choir one Sunday a month for Mass.
- Youth (Teen) Choir rehearses at 4:30pm before the 6pm Mass one Sunday per month. Rehearsal tracks are also provided by email to members, so that they may practice on their own.
If you have talent and are interested in becoming involved and making a commitment to the Music Ministry at St. Katharine’s, contact:
Dr. Ted Latham
Director of Liturgical Music
musicdirector@sksparish.org
Keep Watch Over Me
Members of Eastern University’s Turning Point Choir (dir. Andrew Puntel), Temple University Concert Choir (dir. Paul Rardin), St. Thomas of Villanova Parish Choir (dir. Ted Latham), and St. Katharine of Siena Choir (dir. Youngjin Joo) perform the world premiere of Reid Shriver’s setting of Anna Rehberg’s “Keep Watch Over Me.” Conducted and engineered by Dr. Ted Latham.
HOLY WEEK 2021
If You Love Me
For Holy Thursday 2021, choir members from St. Thomas of Villanova and St. Katharine of Siena Parishes perform Joel Raney’s “If You Love Me,” in collaboration with pianist Youngjin Joo. Conducted and engineered by Dr. Ted Latham, Director of Music.
Brother James’s Air
For Good Friday 2021, and in commemoration of all those who have lost their lives to COVID-19, Members of the St. Katharine of Siena Parish and St. Thomas of Villanova Parish Youth and Adult Choirs, with guests from St. Genevieve Parish, perform Gordon Jacob’s arrangement of “Brother James’s Air,” in collaboration with organist Youngjin Joo. Conducted and engineered by Dr. Ted Latham, Director of Music.
God So Loved the World
For Holy Saturday 2021, members of the St. Thomas of Villanova and St. Katharine of Siena Parish Choirs perform John Stainer’s “God So Loved the World,” in collaboration with organist Youngjin Joo. Conducted by Dr. Ted Latham, Director of Music. Engineered by Eric Borun.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Richard Smallwood’s “Total Praise”
Choir members from the parishes of St. Martin de Porres (dir. Tonya Dorsey), St. Thomas of Villanova (dir. Ted Latham), St. Katharine of Siena (dir. Youngjin Joo), and St. Genevieve (dir. Guna Pantele), sing Richard Smallwood’s “Total Praise,” with Youngjin Joo at the piano.
Happy Black History Month!