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Music Ministry


St. Matthias Music Ministry supports the full, conscious and active participation of our assembly. The recent document “Sing to the Lord, Music in Divine Worship” by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (2008) states: “Singing is one of the primary ways that the assembly of the faithful actively participates in the Liturgy.” The pastoral musicians at St. Matthias collaborate to encourage our assembly’s song, which leads us all to a deeper identity as the Body of Christ.

Music Ministry Web Site
http://music.stmatthias.net

Adult Choir

Adult Choir joins our assembly in sung prayer at the 10:30 Mass on Sundays. The choir sings traditional and contemporary choral repertoire, as well as music that expresses the faith of various cultures that enrich the church. (S.A.T.B.) Rehearsals take place on Thursday nights from 7:30-9:15.

Co-Directors – Joan Best Seamon- jseamon@smpo.us and Chris Rath- car@research.att.com

Children’s Choir

Children’s Choir introduces our children to the rich treasury of Catholic music, traditional and contemporary. Rehearsals take place on Thursday afternoon: 3rd and 4th graders rehearse from 3:45 to 4:30 PM; 5th through 8th graders meet from 4:15 to 5:15 PM. The Children’s Choir sings at Mass once a month and at other special liturgies during the year.
Director – Joan Best Seamon – jseamon@smpo.us ; Assistant Director – Angela Frigiola - guandabell@yahoo.com

Ensemble

The Ensemble is a small, select group of singers and instrumentalists who specialize in a capella singing. The Ensemble sings at Sunday Mass one Sunday a month and at other special liturgies throughout the year. Rehearsal Time to Tuesday, 9:00-10:15.

Director- Dr. Sandra Licitra - shayes@its.jnj.com

FAASM Choir

Our Filipino American Association of St. Matthias Choir sings several times a year at special diocesan celebrations hosted at St. Matthias and also carols in the local community and surrounding towns during December in an effort to raise funds for worthwhile parish projects. The FAASM Choir explores sacred music in English and Tagalog and combines with other parish choirs for Christmas and Holy Week. Both Filipinos and non-Filipinos are welcome to join. Rehearsal schedule varies.

Contact Cecile Borromeo – cborromeo@yahoo.com

Folk Group

Folk Group explores a variety of sacred music, both contemporary and traditional (2 part or SATB) with varied instrumentation including guitar, bass, synthesizer, percussion, violin, flute, etc. The Folk Group joins the assembly’s sung prayer at the 5:30 Saturday night Mass.  Rehearsals take place on Wednesday from 7:30 to 9:00 PM.

Director- Joan Best Seamon - jseamon@smpo.us; Assistant Director – Jill Szabo- jill@gti.net

Handbell Choir

... is a new addition to Saint Matthias Music Ministry playing 3 octaves of bells. The bell choir rehearses on the first and second Tuesdays of the month. : rehearsal on Tuesday from 7:30 until 9:00.

Director- Dr. Sandy Licitra- shayes@its.jnj.com

Revelation

Revelation includes 7th through 12th graders and adults who sing at the 5:30 PM Sunday night Mass on the fourth Sunday of every month. This music ministry uses various instruments (electric guitar, bass, drums, flute) as well as four-part vocal harmony to join our assembly in song. Revelation explores many different types of music ranging from hymns to contemporary Christian music. Rehearsals are on Monday  evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 PM in the church.

Director – Jill Gordon Szabo- jill@gti.net

Umoja Imani Songsters

Umoja Imani Songsters are the only Catholic Gospel Choir in the Diocese of Metuchen. The Songsters join our assembly in songs of praise and worship from the African American sacred tradition twice a month at the 5:30 PM Sunday night Gospel Mass, and at other liturgies throughout the year.  Rehearsals take place in the Cry Room on some Monday evenings from 8:00PM -9:30PM and on Sunday afternoons before the Gospel Mass at 4:45.

Director – Aaron Brown- theprofessorAB@gmail.com or contact Edna Arguello Hitchner – earguello@saintpetersuh.com

150 Praise Band

With the passion to draw all closer to the heart of worship through song, 150 explores Christian and Catholic contemporary praise music. Repertory of music selections is from OCP’s Spirit & Song collection and CCLI focusing on Christian rock. Inspired by Psalm 150 (hence the name “150 Praise Band”), we seek to create a unique band sound with bringing together instruments and voices in one Spirit and leading all in one song -- “Let everything that has breath give praise to the Lord!”

150 FB profile:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/150-Praise-Band/454436860569

Cantors

Cantors are both singers and leaders of congregational song. Cantors at St. Matthias volunteer to diligently rehearse new psalm settings and congregational repertoire to lead the assembly effectively. Singing experience and the ability to read music are a requirement. Many of our cantors sing with one of our choirs to further their musical development.