As a community of faith, we at St. Robert of Newminster Parish welcome all to serve as ministers of music.
Together with our parish mission of sharing prayer together, studying and living the Word of God through lifelong faith formation, and responding to the needs of our faith community, our music ministry extends our mission by striving to provide music that prays and helps us pray to our Lord and ministers to the spiritual needs of all who come to worship. We gather humbly to worship God with our whole selves in mind, body, and spirit. Let us celebrate our Lord by joining our voices together to be one voice that joyfully praises and thanks our God!
Contact: Matt May for more information 414-332-1164, ext. 3043.
The Adult Choir sings at the 11:00am liturgy on Sundays and for Christmas Midnight Mass with prelude concert, Palm Sunday, Holy Week liturgies, the Easter Vigil, Easter Sunday, and various holy days throughout the Church year. In addition to the music sung during Sunday Mass, the choir also sings a variety of sacred music repertoire representing all periods and cultures of music in Church tradition. Knowing how to read music is helpful; however, it is not required.
Time Commitment: Thursday nights (beginning the Thursday after Labor Day through the annual St. Robert Fair during the 1st weekend of June) from
7:00-8:30 pm in the church basement and one hour before Sunday liturgies
to warm-up and prepare for the liturgy.
Choir Handbook and Schedule for 2008-2009 season
The Children's Choir is open to all 3rd through 8th grade school children of the parish. The Children’s Choir sings mostly at Saturday evening liturgies during the school year, major feasts and solemnities, special occasions such as the Christmas Eve 4:30 pm Mass, and periodically at community venues.
Time Commitment: One hour weekly rehearsal, on Thursdays from 3:30-4:30 pm during the school year and one hour before liturgies for warm-up and preparation.
Children’s Choir Handbook and Schedule for 2008-2009 season
This is an ensemble of singers and instrumentalists who minister at the 5:30 pm Sunday liturgy. Piano, guitar, violin, flute, and percussion are some of the instruments that provide accompaniment. Other instruments may be used.
Time Commitment: Rehearsals are Sundays from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Ensemble ministers at 5:30 pm liturgies.
Contemporary Ensemble Handbook and Schedule for 2008-2009 season
This ensemble ministers during the summer months. It offers an opportunity to those who would like to continue singing in choir and for those unable to sing in choir during the traditional choir season.
Time Commitment: Rehearsals are one hour before Sunday liturgies for warm-up and preparation July through August.
Celebration Choir Handbook and Schedule for Summer 2009 season
The Lazarus Choir ministers at all funerals at St. Robert.
Time Commitment: Rehearsals are 30 minutes prior to the funeral liturgy.
As a member of the faith community, the cantor is the visible leader of sung prayer. Central to this ministry is singing the psalm and the gospel acclamation. The cantor must be able to facilitate the assembly in sung prayer. Cantoring is open to all ages from high school to mature adult.
Time Commitment: Once or twice a month at the weekend liturgy of your preference and 30 minutes before Mass for warm-up and preparation.
Cantor Handbook and Schedule (September-November 2008)
The Handbell Choir is a group of 12-15 individuals who wish to enhance the liturgies held at St. Robert by playing handbells. Although previous music reading skills or prior ringing experiences are very helpful, they are not required. This newly formed ensemble will play seasonally for liturgies as scheduled, and at the Easter Vigil and Christmas Midnight Mass and prelude concert.
Time Commitment: Tuesday nights (beginning September 23, 2008, through the annual St. Robert Fair during the 1st weekend of June) from 7:00-8:00 pm in the church organ loft and one hour before Sunday liturgies as scheduled to warm-up and prepare for the liturgy.
Handbell Choir Handbook and Schedule for 2008-2009 season.
Players of string, wind, brass, percussion, and keyboard instruments are invited to contribute their gifts to the music ministry at St. Robert.
Be part of the group of singers that lead the St. Robert School community in liturgical music at our weekly all-school liturgies. The Cantor Choir studies the rich repertoire of sacred music and examines how music relates to liturgy. The choir will develop skills as song leaders and learn supporting instrumentation, such as handbells. Opportunities to minister at Sunday Mass will also be provided. This ensemble is open to any St. Robert middle school student who is interested in the opportunity for vocal training in a ministry context.
Time Commitment: Class is Tuesday/Thursday from 11:15 am to 12:00 pm. This ensemble ministers at every all-school liturgy as well as special occasions at weekend liturgies occasionally throughout the school year. Rehearsals before all-school liturgies are 8:00 am to 8:15 am. Rehearsals prior to weekend liturgies are 30 minutes prior to the liturgy.
Cantor Choir Schedule for 2008-2009 season
Contact: Lauren Beckmann for more information 414-332-1164, ext. 3017.
