This group of 35-40 dedicated musicians aged high school on up ministers at the 11 am Wallace Hall Family Mass, emphasizing the pastoral role of music in prayer and liturgy while working to deepen its understanding of choral and instrumental musicianship in a wide variety of styles. Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, we are Zooming on Sundays from 9:45 to 10.45 am. People from all over the world are joining us, and we invite you to do the same! For more information, contact [email protected].
Choirs and Ensembles
Music/Choirs and Ensembles
"All which isn't singing is mere talking. If what calls itself a world should have the luck to hear such singing everyone certainly would believe in nothing but love."
e.e. cummings
Two hundred musicians ages 6 to 96 participate in one or more of our seven choirs and ensembles. Our three children’s choirs, drawing first through eighth graders from all over the New York City metro area, make a substantial contribution to the worship and cultural life of our parish. Two of our three adult volunteer choirs have a regular weekly liturgical presence: the Wallace Hall Choir and Orchestra at the Family Mass, and Canticum Sacrum at the 7.30 PM Mass. The 50-voice Parish Community Choir sings in various liturgies and concerts throughout the year, and our critically acclaimed professional Choir of St. Ignatius Loyola is the resident ensemble at our Solemn Mass.
Christine Meyer, Wallace Hall Choir“The Sunday Morning Sing-ins…have become a highlight of my Sunday worship (along with the 11 AM online mass) and a source of immense joy. Please know how absolutely precious the St. Ignatius music ministry is to me. It’s a lifeline in these times!”
Sunday Morning Sing-In
Join us at 9:45 AM on Zoom before our 11 AM livestream Mass as we sing our hearts out during this sing-in of hymns and psalms (Mics off, please!). Led by Michael Sheetz (Music Associate & Director of the Wallace Hall Choir and Orchestra), with cantor Nick Lowe and members of the Wallace Hall Choir & Orchestra. Singers of all ages are welcome.
To participate, email [email protected].
Olga Baranova, who joins the Sunday Sing-In from Moscow“I am so grateful to be a part of this impressive and inspiring community. This time is difficult for many of us, and connection is really important. I am thankful for the kindness and warmth of the group.”
ADULT CHOIRS
The Choir of St. Ignatius Loyola, K. Scott Warren, Director
Hailed by The New York Times as a "finely polished, stylistically nimble ensemble" and Opera News as "a wondrous ensemble", the Choir of St. Ignatius Loyola is comprised of some of New York's finest professional singers. The core group of 19 singers has command over a wide range of repertoire, from Gregorian chant to contemporary literature. The Choir expands as needed for the Concerts at St. Ignatius, Park Avenue series. Each singer is a soloist in his or her own right in a variety of genres including early music, opera, oratorio, contemporary, and pop repertoire. The Choir may be heard on recordings for the MSR Classics and AMDG labels. Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Virtual Choir of St. Ignatius Loyola has led the music at the Sunday 11 AM Livestream Mass. To express interest in joining the Choir of St. Ignatius Loyola, experienced professional singers with advanced degrees in voice performance or commensurate experience should send resumes and sound clips to the email below.
Auditions are held as needed. [email protected]
Members of the Choir of St. Ignatius LoyolaSimone Vinocour, Wallace Hall Choir“With COVID, literally the only “live” connection we had with the parish (until it began to open up) was the sing-ins under Michael (Sheetz, director of the Wallace Hall Choir). Once a week, we have had the ability to interact with each other, sing comforting music and pray. It has kept the community feeling alive, but more importantly, has given another outlet for prayer.”
CHILDREN'S CHOIRS
Maureen Haley, Director
Over 50 families are enrolled in our children's choir program, where our kids receive training in the art of singing, reading music, and the fundamentals of music theory. Through their hard work and dedication, choristers develop a passionate commitment to excellence through the choral art and learn self-discipline, confidence, and the importance of giving back to their church and community through the gift of music. Informal auditions take place in the spring and by appointment in the fall. During the Covid-19 pandemic, all three choirs continue to meet regularly via Zoom.
For more information, please contact Maureen Haley at [email protected].
Training Choir
Younger children (grades 1-2) with little or no previous musical experience develop a healthy beginning vocal technique, gain familiarity with the liturgy, and focus on the fundamentals of reading music.
Angel Choir
These children (grades 3-4) have had at least one year of experience in the Training Choir or previous musical experience elsewhere, and continue their focus on vocal technique, music reading skills, and liturgical familiarity.
Chorale
This choir is open to 5th through 8th graders (boys must have unchanged voices) who have previous musical experience and exhibit the maturity required for longer, more demanding rehearsals. Highlights of past seasons include performances in Concerts at St. Ignatius of Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, a world premiere of an opera, and a televised appearance on Good Day New York.
Michaela Daliana, whose twin daughters were in the Children’s Choirs from second through eighth grade, and now attend LaGuardia High School for the Performing ArtsI can’t imagine the effort it must take for everyone to have the children do what they are doing, the parents do what they are doing, and you (and the entire SIL music ministry) do what you are doing, but I do know that my girls would not be where they are without you. Not just for the opportunity of LaGuardia, but the ability to navigate their world as well as they do, applying the skills you taught them.”