Music Ministry

You are invited to use your musical gifts at St. Charles!

No matter your age or skill level, there are many opportunities to join in one (or more) of our Music Ministries.

• Adult Choir: The Adult Choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 7-9 p.m. and serves at various Masses (rotating between 5 p.m., 9 a.m., and 11 a.m.) September through mid-June. It is open to anyone high school age and above who can carry a tune and wishes to help lead and enhance the assembly's sung prayer. Though the group sings in four-part harmony, the ability to read music is not required. New members are always welcome! 

• Men's Choir: This choir serves at Mass once a month, rehearsing on the Wednesday evening prior to their scheduled Mass from 7-8 p.m. It is open to men who can carry a tune and wish to lead the congregation in sung prayer using the strength of the male voice. Though the group does sing in parts, the ability to read music is not required. New members are always welcome!

• Women's Choir: This choir serves at Mass once a month, rehearsing on the Wednesday evening prior to their scheduled Mass from 7-8:15 p.m. It is open to women who can carry a tune and wish to lead the congregation in sung prayer using the beauty of the female voice. Though the group does sing in parts, the ability to read music not required. New members are always welcome!

• Youth Choir (3rd & 4th Grade): Students in 3rd-4th Grade are welcome to participate in Youth Choir. Rehearsals are on Monday afternoons from 3:25-4:30 p.m. in church. Students sing every Tuesday at the School Mass and for special celebrations such as Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. We work on pitch matching, singing solos, microphone usage, and play instruments. We enjoy sharing our gift of music with the community and growing deeper in our faith through singing God's word. 

• Schola Cantorum (5th-8th Grade): Schola is open to students in 5th-8th Grade. A more advanced ensemble, singers in Schola are trained as psalmists and cantors. They sing harmonies and practice playing handbells and percussion instruments. Some Schola members play instruments at Mass, such as the violin. Schola sings at School Masses on Thursday mornings and once a month at a weekend Mass during the school year. Many Schola alumni go on to sing in our Praise Group, serve as Cantors, and sing in the Adult Choir. 

• Praise Group (6pm Sunday Mass): The Praise Group leads music ministry for 6 p.m. Sunday Mass. The group includes vocalists, piano, guitars, and drums. Students are welcomed into the group as soon as they enter high school. We meet at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday to rehearse before Mass. It's a great way to draw closer to God and to other teens who love music and want to use their gifts to serve Christ. 

• Handbell Choir: The Handbell Choir is a multi-generational ensemble which provides instrument accompaniment to the Mass with a stunning four-octave bell set and a two-octave set of chimes. The group rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary. The ability to read music is suggested but not required. New members are always welcome. 

• Cantors/Psalmists: Cantors and psalmists are solo singers who lead the assembly's sung prayer at Mass. The psalmist leads the psalm and Gospel Acclamation from the ambo while the cantor leads the rest of the music from the music ministry area. They meet with our Worship lead during the week to discuss that week's scriptures, pray, and rehearse the music. It is not necessary to belong to the choir in order to serve in this ministry, and all ages from high school and up are welcome. 

• Instrumentalists: Parishioners who have performance knowledge of a particular instrument (guitar, strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion, or keyboard), especially parish children, are highly encouraged to participate in our liturgies by offering their talents to the parish, whether it be on a regular basis or just for special celebrations. Instrumental meditations and preludes offer a wonderful opportunity for prayer and reflection for both the musician and the congregation. New instrumentalists are always welcome!