Music

The word “liturgy” is rooted in a Greek word (liturgios) meaning “the work of the people.” When coupled with liturgy that encourages participation of the people, music brings corporate worship alive. Music offers everyone an opportunity to participate fully in liturgy and has the power to inform, inspire, elicit emotion and enhance meaning: therefore, music has always been an important and integral part of true liturgical worship.

Great care is taken each week to choose music appropriate for every liturgy offered by the church. Liturgical considerations include: How does the music relate to the scriptures for the day and/or the liturgical season (i.e. Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost)? When is the most appropriate time for the music to be sung or played during the service? Will the music and words encourage community participation or will the music and words be offered by the music ministry to enhance, inspire or educate the community about our faith? Will the music become a possible vehicle for pastoral care?

Volunteer choir singers, vocal and instrumental soloists, handbell ringers, guest instrumentalists and congregational singers are an integrated part of our Episcopal liturgical experience. Everyone is encouraged to participate by offering with joy their individual talents as they serve the liturgy through our music ministry program. Our goal is to help our worshippers – congregants as well as liturgical leaders – participate fully in mind, body and spirit as they experience a living faith as they begin another week of service to our world.

St. Monica’s offers anyone who is interested an opportunity to participate in our Music Ministry program as a chorister (high school age through age 100!), a ringer in the handbell choir (high school age through age 100!), an instrumentalist, or as a Friend of Music supporter. Our choirs and instrumentalists also present special musical offerings throughout the year (Advent Lessons and Carols, Evensong, Christmas and Easter). More participants are needed and are always welcome to join our program without audition! Please contact Dr. Ronald Doiron, Director of Music Ministries, in advance so that a folder of music may be prepared for your use.