The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament Music Ministry is a team of talented and dedicated pastoral musicians with the aspiration of enhancing our Cathedral liturgies. We encourage new members to audition for our ministries. Please take time to look at the opportunities to see if you might be interested in becoming part of this integral liturgical ministry. If you would like more information about joining our ministry, please contact Director of Music, Bob Long, (814-944-2044; rlong@dioceseaj.org).
Cantor:
The Cantor is an individual singer, male or female of high school age or older, who stands in the sanctuary and invites the assembly’s full, active, conscious participation in song. He or she needs to be able to read music, speak and sing clearly and confidently, and to engage people by pleasant disposition and eye contact. Cantors sing at Sunday masses, Holy Day masses, Funeral masses, Weddings, Evening Prayer, and other special prayer services. Cantors rehearse weekly through private coaching.
Psalmist:
The Psalmist proclaims the appointed Psalm for the mass in song and invites the assembly’s participation in singing the refrain or antiphon. Women and men who possess the qualities of Cantor (listed above), and who have received Baptism and Eucharist are invited to join this ministry group. Psalmists rehearse weekly by private coaching.
Cathedral Choir:
The Cathedral Choir is open through audition to men and women of high school age and older. They assist the assembly to participate fully, consciously, and actively at mass, performing choral music related to the season or celebration of the day. Additionally, they participate as the core of the Cathedral Festival Choir and Diocesan Choir that serve as music ministers for concerts and Diocesan celebrations. The Cathedral Choir sings regularly at the 10:00 Sunday Mass. Rehearsal are held Thursday evenings, 7:00-9:00 PM, from the first week in September through the Parish Feast Day – Corpus Christi.
Cathedral Festival Choir:
Cathedral Festival Choir is open to singers from the community and throughout the diocese through audition with the Director of Music. Festival Choir participates in several rehearsals prior to a concert or special liturgies such as Midnight Mass or Holy Week. Cathedral Choir serves as the core of Festival Choir.
Instrumentalists:
If you play a musical instrument at the high school level or above and would like to play in the Cathedral, you are invited to meet with the Director of Music, Bob Long, to audition and make those arrangements.