Music is alive and well and St Catherine's! Below is a little bit of what we're about, some of the volunteer opportunities that are available. Go to the Music Minister's Resource page for planners, schedules, music ministers' directory, liturgical guitarist resources, a catalogue of resources in the music ministry library (books, tapes, video tapes etc.), and more. Go to the Music Ministry section of the Links page for some useful web links for music and music ministry.

The Vision:

Music Ministry is about helping the faith community to worship together. Music has a unique power to unite people while opening them up to the Holy Spirit. Music ministers use their gifts, fostered in prayer and practice, to express and deepen their own faith and to provide opportunities for others to also express and deepen their faith. Music ministry, while having some things in common with secular musical performance, remains unique in that the art of the music we make is always a ministry first; it is for the glory of God and is about the community’s relationship with God.

	Music ministers are almost all volunteers. Though the quality of music is good here because of the talent and dedication of our ministers, the greater emphasis is on service, welcome, and ministry as an expression of one’s faith.
	Music ministers here are a welcoming bunch and are mindful of being a community within a community.
	There are a large number of opportunities for musicians with abilities ranging from just being able to carry a tune with help to professionals with years of experience. Interested individuals are always encouraged to approach our music director for help finding their niche. While there are many Masses that are covered by mix and match groups of people, the established regular groups include:

o The Sounds of Siena Choir (Young adult on up) ministers from All Saints (Nov. 1^st) to St. Catherine’s Day in May. Vocalists from those who can just carry a tune on up and instrumentalists of all sorts are welcome. Generally the commitment is for the whole choir year and includes Wednesday night rehearsals and a Mass about very other weekend as well many of the key celebrations throughout the year. Most instrumentalists and some vocalists choose only to participate in a few services a year.

o The Youth Choir (Junior and Senior High School age) ministers once a month on the 3^rd Sunday 11AM Mass and rehearses on the 2^nd Sunday after the 11AM Mass. Instrumentalist and vocalists of varying abilities are always welcome.

o The Resurrection Choir (Young adult-adult age) ministers at funerals when called upon. Repertoire stays pretty constant making this a pretty low-commitment ministry though it requires being available during the day. Mainly vocalists are needed here.

o Dungan & Company (All ages) A folk group lead by Mike Dungan. The core group has been ministering together for many years. The commitment includes Saturday morning rehearsals and ministering at 2-3 Masses per month. This is good fit for vocalists who like folk music and who like to harmonize and instrumentalists of intermediate to advanced skill levels.

o The 8:30 Group (All ages) A mix and match group, mostly adults who as musicians are pretty self-sufficient as musicians though there is always help to be had from group members. Instrumentalists and vocalists are always welcome. The group ministers twice a month and to date only rehearses before the Mass at which they are ministering.

o Cantoring (High school age on up.) This ministry refers to those who are solid enough in their vocal ability that they can be the only vocalist. The cantor’s ministry includes greeting people at the beginning of Mass, teaching new songs before Mass, singing the psalm, and gesturing to aid assembly in their sung parts, and leading the prayers of the faithful. Even in larger ministry groups, the cantor can often be readily identified, though sometimes the responsibilities are shared.

o Singing Angels (Children’s choir for K-6) Ministers once a month on the 1^st Saturday. Rehearsals are every Saturday at 3PM in the Chapel (except the 1^st Saturday when rehearsal is in the Church)