The Music Program
The Music Ministry at Saint Catherine of Siena Church is a vibrant program that serves the parish community in all aspects of liturgical life. The musicians maintain an active rehearsal and liturgy schedule, which seeks to provide music of the highest possible quality for our parish liturgies.
Special Note: Christmas 2021 Music Opportunities
Christmas Eve Children’s Choir
The Christmas Eve Children’s Choir returns this year! The season of Advent is quickly approaching, and recruitment is now underway for the Children’s Christmas Choir. Any young member of the parish in grades 3-8 is welcome to sing for the 4pm Mass on Christmas Eve in the McClinch Family Center. There will be three rehearsals leading up to Christmas:
- Wednesday, December 8 from 4:30-5:30pm in the choir loft
- Wednesday, December 15 from 4:30-5:30pm in the choir loft
- Wednesday, December 22 from 4:30-5:30pm in the choir loft
Registration is limited to 25 students. Please register by Wednesday, Dec 1.
NOTE: Confirmation service hours can be provided for participation in these rehearsals.
To enroll your child, please call or e-mail Dr. Bill Atwood, Director of Music and Coordinator of Liturgical Ministries at: Email: WilliamAtwood@stcatherinetrumbull.com
Office phone: (203) 377-3133 X 105
Christmas Eve Adult Choir
Similar to the Christmas Eve Children’s Choir, the Adult Choir will also be returning in time to sing for Christmas! Any current adult choir member or adult member of the parish (high school age and above) is welcome to sing for the 4pm Mass on Christmas Eve in the McClinch Family Center. There will be two rehearsals leading up to Christmas:
- Wednesday, December 15 from 7-8:30pm in the choir loft
- Monday, December 20 from 7-8:30pm in the choir loft
All adults, ages 18 and up must be in compliance with the diocesan Safe Environments policy (including background check and Virtus Certification), and it is strongly recommended that participants be fully vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus.
To enroll, please call or e-mail Dr. Bill Atwood, Director of Music and Coordinator of Liturgical Ministries at: Email: WilliamAtwood@stcatherinetrumbull.com
Office phone: (203) 377-3133 X 105
Parish Quartet
The parish vocal quartet sings at the 11am Mass each Sunday. The quartet is socially distanced across the church choir loft, while also maintaining a significant distance away from the main seating area of the church.
The quartet sings the hymns, acclamations, and antiphons of the Mass, along with choral works that are carefully chosen as a meditation on the readings of the day. Additionally, the quartet sings a choral setting of the Kyrie and Agnus Dei of the Mass, drawn from the Catholic Church’s rich liturgical patrimony. See the weekly worship aid for citations and translations of the pieces being sung by the quartet.
The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy reminds us that “The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as sacred song united to the words, it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy” (CSL, 112). The liturgy is, in turn, at the heart of our Catholic Faith. The members of our music ministry participate in the program in service to the parish through the spirit of Christian Stewardship: Time, Talent and Treasure.
The Second Vatican Council stated emphatically that “choirs must be diligently promoted while ensuring that the whole body of the faithful may be able to contribute that active participation which is rightly theirs.” The choir must not minimize the musical participation of the faithful. The congregation commonly sings unison melodies, which are more suitable for generally unrehearsed community singing. This is the primary song of the Liturgy. Choirs and ensembles, on the other hand, comprise persons drawn from the community who possess the requisite musical skills and a commitment to the established schedule of rehearsals and Liturgies. Thus, they are able to enrich the celebration by adding musical elements beyond the capabilities of the congregation alone.
The choir may draw on the treasury of sacred music, singing compositions by composers of various periods and in various musical styles, as well as music that expresses the faith of the various cultures that enrich the Church. The music of the choir must always be appropriate to the Liturgy, either by being a proper liturgical text or by expressing themes appropriate to the Liturgy. (Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship, §28-30, Issued by USCCB, November 14, 2007)
Contact the Music Office
For further information about our parish music program or to register for one of our choirs, please contact:
Dr. Bill Atwood, Director of Music and Organist
Email: WilliamAtwood@stcatherinetrumbull.com
Office Phone: (203) 377-3133 X 105.