Music Ministry

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Adult Choirs: 9th Grade Youth to Adult

Director: Cecilia K. Shinn

St. Clare Parish has one combined Adult Choir that serves a substantial need by ministering at the 9 and 11 a.m. Masses each Sunday. This choir, open to ninth grade youth through adults, utilize a variety of instruments to accompany the singers. The adult choir attends rehearsal on Wednesday evenings from 7-9 p.m. in the church, and serves for weekend and special Masses. Singers and instrumentalists are welcome to participate in our choir. Please call the Music Ministry Office to schedule an orientation interview with our music director.

Contemporary Music Group: 9th Grade Youth to Adult; by Audition

Director: Cecilia K. Shinn; Co-Directors: Paul Cotter & Dan Tragni

High school students and adults are encouraged to participate in our Contemporary Music Group that ministers at the 5:30 p.m. Mass each week. Rehearsals are on Tuesday evenings from 7-8:30 p.m. and Sundays at 4:30 p.m. in the Church. Because of the nature of this group, please call the Music Ministry Office to inquire or schedule an audition.

Adult Ensemble (Las Marimbas)

Directors: Larry Weis and Kathy Pittman

The Adult Ensemble seeks to serve the parish as the bridge between traditional and contemporary music. Because of the nature of this group, please call the Music Ministry Office to inquire or schedule an audition.

Handbell Choir (St. Clare Ringers): 4th Grade through Adults 

Director: Cecilia K. Shinn

The Handbell Choir serves at assigned Masses once a month throughout the year (except in January and March). This group plays all styles of music from traditional to contemporary and often collaborates with other groups on Sundays and for Christmas and Easter. While the ability to read music is a plus, it is not required. In fact, several of our ringers did not read music when they first started ringing but have learned basic skills along the way. We are always in need of sub ringers and are currently looking to fill a permanent ringer position. Rehearsals take place on Thursdays throughout the year. Children in junior high or younger must be accompanied by an adult to all rehearsals and Masses / events.

Special Choirs: Kindergarten to Adult

Caroler Choir and Cherub Choir, separate groups, provide an opportunity for young members of our community to begin exercising their gifts in service to the people of God along with people of all ages. Geared for families and individuals alike, these choirs minister at the early Mass on Christmas Eve. A calendar of rehearsals for this year’s Special Choirs will be available in the parish bulletin and on the parish website as the special events draw closer.

Instrumentalists

Coordinator: Cecilia K. Shinn

Our parish is gifted with instrumentalists who play regularly with our choirs and we are always looking for new players. There are also opportunities throughout the year for those who play instruments and want to share their talent but who are not prepared to make a commitment to a choir year round. As with accompanists, there is a wide range of possibilities for brass, stringed, percussion and wind instrumentalists to be involved in St. Clare Music Ministry.

Accompanists: Piano, Organ, Guitar

Coordinator: Cecilia K. Shinn

As our parish grows, so does the need for accompanists. Opportunities for qualified individuals abound, from things as simple as playing music for children in Faith Formation to services such as weddings, to accompanying a choir at Mass on a regular basis.

Sound Operators

Clear and audible communication is an important dimension of every parish Liturgical Celebration. Sound operators assist in this endeavor. Adults with good hearing, a love for liturgy and some experience in operating sound equipment are encouraged to share their gifts in this ministry.

Family Choir – For all members of our St. Clare Parish Family

New in the Fall of 2022! We are so excited to welcome all families to join our newest parish choir! Both singers and instrumentalists are welcome. For more info and to register, visit: www.stclarehouston.org/family-choir or contact Cecilia in the Parish Music office.

Cantors

Men and women gifted with the ability to sing solo parts and to lead the Assembly in song are the heart of our Cantor program. Interested persons are individually auditioned and trained for this ministry, and serve at the various Liturgies of our parish. Cantors are present at all Masses, including those served by a choir. Rehearsals for Cantors are held in conjunction with regular choir rehearsals.

**Training is required and provided for all Liturgical Ministries.**