Music Ministry
Background
Music ministry has been an integral part of the Mass celebration since the very first Mass at St. Joachim (Christmas Day, 1947). Since that time, parishioners have participated in all kinds of musical expression. Sometimes it is simply a cantor leading the congregation in acappella song. Sometimes an organ and vocal combo lays the foundation for a more prayerful worship experience. At other times, the music ministry has provided full vocal and instrumental ensembles to give further glory to God our Creator.
Today, the music ministry provides service to the church on both a regular and as-needed basis. In addition to providing music for every weekend mass and traditional holidays (Easter, Christmas, Ash Wednesday, etc.), the music ministry also holds occasional concerts as well as provides for special events such as weddings and funerals.
Presently at St. Joachim, there are three choirs in English: The Morning Choir (10 AM Mass), The Evening Youth Choir (5 PM Mass), and the St. Joachim Student Choir which sings about every 6 weeks at the 10 AM Mass. We also have a Spanish Music Ministry which tends to the 8 AM, 12 PM and 7 PM Mass each Sunday. Each of these groups is described below.
Morning Choir:
This group consists of a full vocal choir accompanied by guitar, piano, bass and violin. The repertoire is a healthy combination of traditional and contemporary Catholic music. This group rehearses every Tuesday evening from 7:30 PM to 9 PM and again 1 hour before mass each week.
Evening Youth Choir:
Using the latest music from Catholic youth ministry repertoire as well as some retro fitted traditional Catholic music, this choir brings a ton of energy and passion to the Mass. It is similar to the morning choral group in terms of voice and instruments, but has more drums and auxiliary percussion. This group rehearses from 6:30 PM to 8 PM every Tuesday evening and again 1 hour before mass each week.
St. Joachim Student Choir:
Although this choir is primarily made up of students from St Joachim's school, all children grades 3-8 are welcome to participate. Rehearsals take place in the weeks prior to each mass which happens about every 6 weeks. Students currently sing at the following 10 AM Masses: All Saints Day, Christmas Eve, Catholic Schools week, Second Sunday of Lent ( Transfiguration Sunday) and the Fourth Sunday of Easter (Good Shepherd Sunday). See bulletin for rehearsal information or contact Andrew Everson: PH (949) 574-7400 ext 413, Email aeverson@stjoachimparish.com
Spanish Choir:
This musical ensemble caters to the Spanish-speaking community. Like the other choral groups at St. Joachim, it consists of voices and instruments. However, lyrics are almost exclusively in Spanish and the arrangements have strong Latin flavors.
