For questions or to get involved, contact Susan Coleman (Music Director) or Bri Bruske (Interim Campus Minister) for more details.
Parishioner and student singers
REQUIREMENTS: Need to be able to carry a tune and have a desire to serve the Lord by leading the congregation in sung prayer through the music ministry. No audition is required.
REHERSALS begin 45 minutes before each Mass (exception: 9 a.m. Sunday Mass rehearsal begins at 8:30 a.m.). SATB parts are available for most songs. Optional weekly choir rehearsal is Wed evening at 7–8 p.m. during the school year and bi-weekly during the summer months (May–Aug) with July off.
Youth (high school and middle school) singers
Students will benefit from having at least one year of choral experience at school; private voice lessons will also give you an advantage.
PRE-REQUISITE: A Friendly Audition is required. Please prepare to sing one song from our Journeysongs hymnal. Mrs. Coleman will accompany you on piano; you may have a sibling or parent sing with you. This is necessary to determine the best placement for you in the choir.
Psalm 149:1 – “Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song,
His praise in the assembly of the faithful!”
St. Francis has an active cantor program utilizing student cantors during the school year and resident cantors during BSU breaks and the summer season. We welcome new and seasoned cantors. Training is available for cantors of all ability levels, with or without experience. Cantors are expected to also participate in the choir when they are not cantoring.
There is a monthly Cantor Workshop during which we review the Psalms, Gospel Acclamation and verses, and new music. While the actual week varies, the workshop time is Wednesday nights 6:30–7 p.m. All cantors – including cantors unable to attend this workshop – will receive the Cantor Workshop Music Packet via email. Hard copies to take home will be in the music closet.
PRE-REQUISITE: A Friendly Audition/Interview is required.
Revelation 4:8 – “And day and night they never cease to sing,
‘Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!’”
St. Francis welcomes a variety of instrumentalists to the music ministry. We have a core repertoire of music for acoustic guitars, high C instruments (flute, violin, oboe), trumpet, alto sax, French horn, low C instruments (bassoon, cello, trombone) and bass guitar. Guitarists must be able to use lead sheets; guitar tab is not available. Percussion is limited to congas.
Our instrumental music ranges from simple melody and doubling choral parts, through intermediate and advanced arrangements. Most instrumental scores are emailed electronically each week before weekend Masses. Good sight-reading skills are very helpful, but not required.
PRE-REQUISITE: A Friendly Audition/Interview is required.
Psalm 150:1, 3-4, 6 – "Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament!
Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with timbreland dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! "
St. Francis has a small grand piano which is used for leading music at Mass. We do not have an organ nor use an electronic keyboard. Multiple opportunities abound for interested piano players who would like to learn how to lead music for Catholic Mass, desire to work with instrumentalists or lead a choir from the keyboard.
Most of our music is based on guitar lead sheets; keyboard parts are available but may require adjustments depending on the instrumentation at your particular Mass. As the piano is the dominant instrument at Mass at St. Francis, it is important for pianists to prayerfully approach the privilege of playing - with humility, reverence and an understanding that the music purposefully serves the Liturgy, brings honor and glory to the Lord, and has the power to lead the assembly in full and active participation.
PRE-REQUISITE: A Friendly Audition/Interview is required. Please prepare a song from the hymnal; you may use either the keyboard music or play from a lead sheet. We will discuss your experience, goals and desires for playing piano at Mass and make a plan together.
Colossians 3:16 – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as you teach
and admonish one another in all wisdom, and as you sing psalms and hymns
and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
Our weekend Masses are:
Additional musical opportunities are available for BSU students during the school year:
Contact Susan Coleman (Music Director) or Bri Bruske (Interim Campus Minister) for more details.