Sacred Music Ministry

Sacred Music – The Music Ministry is a wonderful potpourri of voices, instruments, ages and styles in service of encouraging  and enhancing the singing of our congregation.  Music of great dignity, passionate fire, solemnity, reflection, excitement, and motivation await you in giving glory to God and edifying His people.  We invite you to join us and satisfy your inner musician to sing and play the wonders of God.   Members of all the various musical groups of this ministry come together as one at Christmas for our annual Christmas Concert and Social.  The Music Ministry and its members are registered with NPM, (The National Association of Pastoral Musicians) and are eligible to participate in all NPM conferences, conventions, and workshops.  Adults who work with children and youth in the music ministry are trained, certified, and registered with “Virtus, Protecting God’s Children” of the Diocese of Richmond.
The Music Ministry has a link page on the St. John the Apostle Church website.  The music link contains information pertaining to the music ministry, hymns chosen for the weekly masses, announcements, and pictures.

St. John Choir – This choir of mixed voices (SATB –soprano, alto, tenor, bass) is a celebration through choral harmony.  This is a wonderful opportunity for you to find your inner voice, sing in parts, and expand your musical and liturgical knowledge and abilities.  The choir rehearses Wednesdays from 7-9 pm in the church and sings for the 11 am Sunday mass.  Commitment and dedication to rehearsals and performances is required.  The ability to read music is a plus but not required. 

Youth Choir – This dynamic choir is great for teenagers and young adults who enjoy sharing their faith through performance of Contemporary Christian Music of the Post Vatican II era to the present.  The choir rehearses on Mondays 7-8:15 pm, in the church and sing every Saturday at the 5 pm mass. Rhythmic instruments and percussion give this group an often driving spiritual force not found in other genres of Sacred Music.  Members are encouraged to be creative in their expression as soloists, group singers, players  Youth have a great gift for putting a fresh angle on things.  This groups music will give you a new angle the music of the mass. Come experience God in this wonderful music. 

Church Children’s Choir – There is nothing sweeter than children’s voices singing together.  Our Church Children’s Choir sings every month at the 9:15 am Sunday mass.  The choir rehearses the Wednesday before their scheduled mass at 7 pm in the church.  Rehearsal lasts approximately 1 hour.  This choir affords students the opportunity to polish their talent as singers and/or musicians, learn to work together as a group, learn musical principles, apply their talents to public performance, learn the finer points of the Mass, make friends and have fun.  Parents attend the rehearsals and Mass with the singers so this choir is also great for the parents to learn about liturgical music, bond with their own and other children and other choir parents. If your child is interested in singing please contact the Director of Music.

School Children’s Choir – St. John Parish School has a choir made up of students from St. John School.  Interested singers Grades 2-8 are eligible to be in choir.  Choir members sign up at school during the first weeks of the academic year.  The School Choir sings at the School Mass on Friday mornings at 8 am.  Rehearsal is Tuesdays after school, 2:45-3:15 pm in the church.  Members of the School Choir may also participate in the Church Children’s Choir if they wish. This choir affords students the opportunity to polish their talent as singers and/or musicians, learn to work together as a group, learn musical principles, apply their talents to public performance, learn the finer points of the Mass, make friends and have fun.

Funeral Choir –This small ensemble comes together to sing for funerals for the consolation of the family and as a show of support and solidarity of the parish community to the passing of a loved one.  Most funerals take place in the mornings or early afternoons.  The family of the deceased chooses the hymns to be sung at the funeral mass or memorial service.  Due to the nature of funeral planning the song list is given only a day or two prior to the actual service, sometimes even same day.  If you have the time and your heart is moved to help ease the grief of families through music please consider joining this choir.  The solace on the faces of the families is well worth the commitment

Cantor/Psalmist/Song Leader – These are soloists with a unique role that focuses on the singing of the Responsorial Psalm and leading the melody lines for the congregational hymns.  These soloists need not be part of a choir or ensemble but are required to rehearse the Sunday music at practice on Wednesdays 7 pm.  Cantors also participate as soloists and choral singers in the annual Christmas Concert.

Instrumentalists – Musicians of all ages are welcome to accompany our various choirs.  Accompaniment scores are provided for your particular instrument.  Keyboard, piano, organ, woodwinds, brass, strings, percussion, guitars, etc. are all welcome. Contact the Director of Music for more information.

Service Hours – Volunteer service hours are given to all students and adults who participate in any area of St. John the Apostle Music Ministry who need them for school or civil requirements.  1.5 hours is credited for each rehearsal and each mass or serviced performed.  The Director of Music will sign the necessary forms when hours must be turned into the student’s respective institution. 

Concerts – We offer a Christmas Concert and Social each December to celebrate the Birth of Christ and the joy of the Holiday Season.  Concerts are periodically offered by other performance groups and are announced when scheduled.   The Boys Choir of France, and Credo (a quartet from St. Petersburg, Russia) are among the scheduled performers for 2011-12.

Contact Information:
James J. Koury, M.T.S.
Director of Music
St. John the Apostle Catholic Church
Virginia Beach, VA 23456

757-426-2180
757-754-9601

sja.jkoury@cox.net

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