Music Essay: Finding Spiritual Connection in Music

I love to hear a choir. I love the humanity…to see the faces of real people devoting themselves to a piece of music. I like the teamwork. It makes me feel optimistic about the human race when I see them cooperating like that. – Sir Paul McCartney

One of the many aspects I find moving about choral singing is the beautiful way it can reveal a sense of our shared humanity. Whether in rehearsal, liturgy, or concert, the act of breathing together, of lifting our voices and being fully engaged in music-making often has a way of loosening the barriers we consciously and unconsciously put up. When those barriers fall away, that experience can be life-changing. What’s left is a deeper connection with ourselves, with the community of people we’re singing with, and with the composer and author whose sacred music and text we breathe life into. Many also find singing in a choir supports a deeper relationship with God.

If any of this sounds appealing to you, I hope you’ll consider joining our choirs. We have a number of groups to choose from. The Parish Community Choir meets on Tuesday evenings and offers a wide range of repertoire from ancient chant to modern choral works at many liturgies, prayer services, and at our annual Christmas and spring concerts. The Wallace Hall Choir ministers at the 11 AM Family Mass, and offers a joyful blend of contemporary and gospel music. Canticum Sacrum sings at the beautiful 7:30 Sunday evening liturgy, offering medieval motets, Renaissance madrigals, modern sacred music, and more. Do you have children? Our Children’s Choirs offer an exemplary musical and spiritual education and sing many major liturgies, prayer services, and concerts.

There are so many ways to contribute to the great spiritual life of our parish. Singing in a choir offers an opportunity to deepen our faith in God, find meaningful connection with ourselves and others, and explore the human experience we share. All are welcome! I hope you’ll consider joining us.

— Robert Reuter, Associate Director of Music