“Those who sing pray twice” – St. Augustine
Grounded in our beloved and vibrant QP family, we know that music is essential to the life of our liturgy. Our QP Music Ministry focuses on leading the people of God in prayerful song. Our various choirs and groups are non-audition ensembles and are open to all who love music and want to share their gifts with our community, while the roles of cantors and instrumentalists require short training sessions. Keep reading to find out more about each group within our music ministry.
All are welcome and encouraged to become involved! Contact Caleb Mitchell, Director of Liturgy & Pastoral Music, to become involved!
Queen of Peace Adult Choir - The QP Adult Choir is open to all young adults and adults who love to sing in a group to enhance the liturgy and encourage participation from the gathered assembly. This group sings in four-part harmony. Rehearsals are generally on Mondays (September to May) from 7:00-8:30pm in church. The time commitment is usually four rehearsals per month and dedication to the Sunday 9:30 a.m. Mass and the various holy day liturgies, and their warm-up times beforehand.
Queen of Peace Contemporary Choir - The Contemporary Choir sings for the Sunday 11:15 a.m. Mass. This group sings in a more upbeat and contemporary style. Rehearsals are generally on Tuesdays at 7:00 pm in the Parish Center lower level. The time commitment is dedication to the Sunday 11:15 a.m. Mass and the rehearsal time.
Busy Person Choir - The Busy Person Choir is open to anyone who would like to be involved in music ministry, but are just too busy! Rehearsals are held one hour before the scheduled Mass time. The Busy Person Choir sings once per month.
Resurrection Choir - The Resurrection Choir is open to anyone who is available during the weekdays to sing for Funeral Liturgies. There is no rehearsal requirement other than arriving 20 minutes prior to the Funeral for warm-up. This is a beautiful way to bring the gift and comfort of music ministry to others with minimal commitment.
Children’s Choirs - Our Lady Queen of Peace has three Children’s Choirs that are open to all young people who love to sing and would like to be more involved in our parish liturgies and for various musical outings and opportunities within the larger community, as well as growing the future of the Church and their active participation in the Liturgy. Our Children’s Choirs rehearse on various days/times and sing for various liturgies and events throughout the year. Cherub Choir is for K4 & K5 age children, Children's Choir is for 1st-4th grade singers, and Contemporary Youth Choir is for middle-school age children.
Mass Band - The QP Mass Band is open to all high school and college students who like to play and sing music together, with guitars, drums, and various instruments. The Mass Band’s rehearsal times vary and they usually play at 5:00 p.m. Saturday Vigil Masses.
Handbell Choir - The QP Handbell Choir is open to people of all ages that can read music. This group rings handbells at Saturday Vigil Masses and occasional Sunday Masses. The Handbell Choir has three rehearsals prior to the upcoming Mass they ring at, usually on Tuesday evenings from 7:00-8:00 pm.
Accompanists, Cantors, and Instrumentalists - Accompanists, Cantors, and Instrumentalists are the backbone of the music ministry. There is a certain level of liturgical and musical competency necessary for accompanists, cantors, and instrumentalists, and therefore these are ministerial roles that require some training. Pianists and Organists are paid members of the music ministry at Mass. Instruments used at Mass can include guitar, bass, violin, viola, cello, harp, flute, clarinet, bassoon, oboe, trumpet, trombone, and percussion. If you play an instrument that is not listed, let us know! Instruments help to enhance the vibrancy of our sung prayer.
Cantors are an “essential player” in the music ministry, both at our weekend and weekday Masses. The cantor is privileged to lead the Responsorial Psalm at each Liturgy from the ambo (the Table of the Word). When there is not a choir leading music at Mass, the cantor leads the gathered assembly in song.
What are we singing this weekend?!
Click here to visit our music ministry YouTube page. Each upcoming weekend has a playlist to help musicians prepare, as well as the gathered assembly, so our holy house can be filled with wonderful song!