Music Ministry

“Cantare amantis est” (singing is of one who loves). This statement of St. Augustine’s reflects the mission of the music ministry at St. Theresa Church. We sing because we love God and because the beauty of sung prayer lifts our spirits to the divine. Music, as a splendid gift from God, is returned to God in praise.

Our music ministry welcomes new members anytime. See the information below describing the various aspects of this ministry.  Contact Matt Ho (music@sainttheresaparish.com), Music Director, for more information.

Principal Choirs

The following groups are under the direction of Anne Miller, choir director.

Parish Choir

This choir is open to adult members of our parish community, and sings at the 10:30 AM Mass and special liturgies.  Rehearsals are on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 – 8:30 PM, in the choir loft.  This choir focuses on singing hymnody, sacred polyphony and other great choir works in both Latin and English.

Schola Cantorum

The schola is an advanced, auditioned choir for adults, which serves at select sacred liturgies and augments the Parish Choir.  Rehearsals are on Tuesday evenings from 8:00 – 9:15 PM (overlapping with the Parish Choir rehearsal), in the choir loft.  This choir focuses on more challenging repertoire.

St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Children’s Choir

For children in 4th grade and up, this choir rehearses on Saturdays from 3:00 – 4:00 PM in the parish hall. We sing periodically at the 10:30 AM Sunday Mass and on major Holy Days with the Parish Choir.

Youth Choir

For boys and girls ages 13+, this choir learns more advanced music, and sings periodically at the 5:30 PM Mass on Saturdays and on major Holy Days. Rehearsal is on Saturdays from 4:00 – 5:00 PM in the parish hall. Interested participants may also train to be a cantor (song leader) at Mass as part of this ministry.

Our combined Children’s and Youth choirs participated in the 2023 Pueri Cantores Mid-Atlantic Youth Choral Festival and Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew in Washington, D.C. View the Festival and Mass at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BObEOZX27ng.

Additional Opportunities

Sunday Morning Choir

This open choir sings at the 8:45 AM Mass on Sundays.

Sunday Evening Choir

This open choir sings at the 5:00 PM Mass on Sundays.  Rehearsals are held before Mass at 4:00 PM.

Praise and Worship

This group presents Praise and Worship music once per month during Wednesday evening Holy Hour.

Cantors

Auditioned vocalists assist in serving at Mass primarily when choirs are not available, leading the congregation in hymnody and other sung parts of the Mass such as the Responsorial Psalm.

Organists / Pastoral Musicians

Auditioned organists assist in serving at all of our Masses and sacred liturgies with music.

We are blessed with several instruments in our church:

 

More information coming soon

 

St. Theresa’s Contemporary Music Ministry adds to the 8:45AM Sunday Mass by enhancing the liturgy through sacred music and leading the congregation in prayerful song.  Rehearsals are Wednesdays from 7:30-9:00PM in the church loft.