Upcoming Events
Date: 09/08/10
Time: 07:00 PM
Junior Choir - ERMR
Date: 09/09/10
Time: 03:30 PM
Music at St. Francis Xavier
When in Our Music, God Is Glorified!...
Singers and instrumentalists of all ages come together to worship the Lord through music.
It’s a hands-on desire for spiritual growth through community that brings people to this special ministry.
We sing with one another and with the parish community in hopes that the
Holy Spirit may be found and heard in each one of us.
- Allen Sterwalt, Music Director
Let all rejoice who have a voice to raise!
And may God give us faith to sing always: Alleluia!
Below is a list of choirs and ensembles that are available to the St. Francis Xavier community. New members are welcome to join anytime.
Cantor Ministry
Celebration Ensemble
Gallery Choir
Men's Schola
Cantorei
Resurrection Choir
Cherub Choir
Junior Choir
Instrumentalists
Spirit Choir
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access the Choir Schedules. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader click on the link below to download the program to your computer.
Cantor Ministry
The cantor's role is to lead song in worship and minister to the assembly by encouraging full participation during the sung parts of the Mass. A warm and welcoming personality along with a strong sense of leadership is required to participate in this ministry. Music reading skills are recommended, but not required. Training will be determined by level of experience.
Click here for the Cantor Schedule.
Celebration Ensemble
A smaller ensemble of singers and instrumentalists who enjoy a piano-based, contemporary worship experience. The Celebration Ensemble sings and plays at the 10:30 a.m. liturgy with the second Sunday of most months off. Members must be comfortable singing in small voice sections and have an ear for pitch. Membership is limited.
Rehearsals: Thursdays - 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (September - May)
Click here for the Celebration Ensemble Schedule.
Gallery Choir
A larger group of singers consisting of 35+ in number who enjoy singing a wide range of choral literature from early motets of Palestrina, Tallis and Victoria to modern-classical choral music composers such as Proulx, Ferris and Stearns, to contemporary music composers of Haugen, Tate and Alonso. The Gallery Choir sings at the 9:00 a.m. liturgy from the choir/organ loft with the first Sunday of most months off. Members must have an ear for pitch and be able to climb stairs.
Rehearsals: Tuesdays - 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (September - May)
Click here for the Gallery Choir Schedule.
Men’s Schola
A choir consisting of male voices including those men who also sing in the Celebration Ensemble or the Gallery Choir. Membership in one of the groups mentioned is not required. The Men's Schola sings for the 7:00 p.m. Lord's Passion liturgy on Good Friday. This choir also sings for the 9:00 a.m. Ascension of the Lord liturgy on even numbered years. Members must have an ear for pitch and be able to climb stairs.
Rehearsals: Tuesdays - 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
(February 9 - March 30: Good Friday)
(April 20 - May 11: Ascension of the Lord)
Cantorei
A small choir consisting of singers who are currently involved in the cantor ministry at St. Francis Xavier. This choir sings for special evening Feast Day liturgies scheduled throughout the liturgical calendar, such as All Souls or the Immaculate Conception of Mary. Singers must be a part of the cantor ministry to join. Members must have an ear for pitch and be able to climb stairs.
Rehearsals: To be scheduled as needed.
Resurrection Choir
This choir will sing at most funerals that take place at St. Francis Xavier. Membership is open to anyone who is available during the day and possesses a voice for singing. Funerals are usually held at 10:00 a.m. with some exceptions.
Rehearsals: First Monday of every month, 9:45 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. (September - May)
Cherub Choir
This children's choir is open to all who are in grades 1 - 3. The Cherub Choir sings periodically throughout the liturgical year at the 5:00 p.m. liturgy on Saturday evenings, and also sings for special holidays and Feasts such as Thanksgiving and Epiphany.
Rehearsals: Tuesdays - 3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (September - May)
Click here for the Cherub Choir Schedule.
Junior Choir
Children in grades 4 - 6 make up this choir. The Junior Choir sings periodically throughout the liturgical year at the 5:00 p.m. liturgy on Saturday evenings, and also sings for special holidays and Feasts such as Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Palm Sunday.
Rehearsals: Tuesdays - 4:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (September - May)
Click here for the Junior Choir Schedule.
Instrumentalists
This ministry is open to all high school students and adults who are advanced in playing a musical instrument, and would like to be a part of music in worship for liturgies or special prayer services such as Taizé Prayer.
Practice sessions are scheduled as needed.
Spirit Choir
This vibrant contemporary ensemble of voices and instruments is open to all teens who are looking for a fun and relaxed worship setting to sing or play an instrument. The Spirit Choir sings at the 6:00 p.m. liturgy on Sunday evenings.
Rehearsals: Sundays, 4:45 p.m. - before Mass (September - May)
For more information about the above opportunities, please contact:
Allen Sterwalt, Director of Music, at