At St. Mary's, we all praise God through music in one way or another – singing, playing instruments, or listening. If you are interested in joining any of our groups, please contact Janet Hamilton.
Opportunities to Serve:
Cantors
Our cantors are dedicated individuals with strong voices who have the important role to:
Proclaim the Word of God in music, (especially through the psalms);
Support congregational singing
Help with the introductions of new hymns and Mass settings.
Rehearsals: Before each mass, and quarterly practice sessions.
Adult Choir
Almost every weekend, Adult Choir members join voices to lend support for the singing of hymns and Mass settings. They perform choral works from a wide range of styles, including chant, polyphonic settings of Renaissance masters, Classical composers, and modern settings by today's Catholic composers. The St. Mary's Adult Choir also sings for Penance services, various special events and choral concerts. All parishioners who are able to lend their voices to our weekly practices on Thursdays are warmly welcomed. No audition is needed. Rehearsals: Thursdays 7:15PM-8:30PM (Aug.-May)
The Youth Choir (7th- 12thgrades)
This group sings on the last Sunday of each at the 10:30AM Mass. Several adults lead the group, including Al and Liz Klein, Cindy, Paul, and Paul Jr. Roerig and Taylor Fulkerson (guitar). Currently the youth are preparing songs from Spirit and Song II to lead the congregation as this new music is introduced during Masses, Penance services, and other liturgies.
Children's Choir (K – 5thgrades)
The Children's Choir sings once a month. We have also produced various fun activities, such as:
Puppet Shows (St. Francis, Noah's Ark, The Nativity Story, Santa at the North Pole),
Christmas caroling at the Knights of Columbus Christmas party and local nursing homes. Rehearsals: Thursdays 6:15PM-7:15PM (Aug.-April)
Instrumentalists
Do you play a, woodwind, brass, stringed instrument, keyboard or guitar? We hope you will consider bringing your talents to our Masses and special events.
The History of Our Music
St. Mary's has a long-standing tradition of excellence in church music. From the time of the early settlers; who brought with them German Hymnbooks, to today, when we have music at all weekend Masses, Holy Days, and special liturgies; parishioners of St. Mary's place a great emphasis on the role of music in the life of the church. This has been accomplished with the support of all of the pastors over the years. Previous Music Directors and organists include: Sr. Teresa Clare, Tim and Tony Kochert, Carol Ann (Day) Ulrich, Annette Hess, Kathy Geswein Dye, James Pfister, Sarah Schneider, Andy Sizemore, Michael Thompson, and Leslie Lynch.
Former Parishioners who are now serving as Church Musicians: The Stilger sisters: Jill White, (New Albany) Jan Zabel, (Greenwood), Jeannine Newcomb (Holy Family) and Jackie Strand, (Kalamazoo, MI); Eddie Walters (Newport, KY), James Pfister (DeKalb, IL), Andrea Bube (music teacher in Lafayette)
Parishioners who studied music at the college level: Andrea Bube (MM in Vocal Performance, now music teacher in Lafayette), Jeremy Smitley, Maria Solis, Tom Richmer, Marcus Walther, Christine Thompson, and Tracy Clark.
Current organists include: Louise Richmer, Tracy Clark, Michele Nalley, and Jill White.
Guitarists include: Leslie Lynch, Taylor Fulkerson, Paul and Paul Jr. Roerig, Al Klein, Melanie and Phil Wermuth.
We are so thankful for our rich musical heritage and the many talented people who give glory to God through music!
The Organs of St. Mary's
After the fire of 1948 which destroyed the interior of the church, a Wicks Pipe organ was installed in the choir loft in 1949 (at the price of $8,778). This organ was used daily for many years until 1984 when Fr. Ajamie acquired funds to purchase an electronic organ for the front, right-hand side of church. This was replaced with the Johannus “Sweelinck 20” digital instrument in 2005, an organ of greater tonal character and power for the support of congregational singing. At the same time, the Wicks Pipe organ was maintained and brought back into regular service. Pictures of the St. Mary's organs can be viewed at The American Guild of Organists (Southern Indiana Chapter).