SING THE MIRACLE!!! ST.  JOSEPH MUSIC MINISTRY WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS.   St. Joseph Music Ministry, Washington, NJ, is an outreach ministry of St. Joseph Catholic Church guided by our pastor, Fr. Blaise Baran.  The members of St. Joseph Music Ministry are a group of people who joyfully pursue excellence in sacred/liturgical music for the sake of proclaiming the Gospel and the message of God’s unconditional love and mercy for all people.  We offer many volunteer opportunities in music ministry for all ages and ability.  Our members are people who serve with a joyful spirit and a servant’s heart.  Our motto, “Sing The Miracle”, comes from an understanding that we can facilitate positive change in our daily lives if we remain open to God’s grace and live as if the desired “miracle” has already taken place. As Christians, we believe that the “miracle” has happened through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  “Sing The Miracle” is a call to live as we proclaim to believe.   St. Joseph Music Ministry offers opportunities in our Parish Choir; Choirs for Children and Youth; Seasonal Choir; "Choir in the Pew"; Cantors and Leaders of Song and Instrumentalists.   New this season, is the formation of a Parish Handbell Choir and an Acappella Concert Ensemble.   St. Joseph Music Ministry is under the direction of Therese D. Butler.  Mrs. Butler has an extensive and diverse background in music, education, social work and lay ministry.  In addition to serving as Director of Sacred Music at St. Joseph,  Mrs. Butler is a member of National Pastoral Musicians and sings with the Diocesan Chamber and Festival Choirs of the Metuchen Diocese, Metuchen, NJ. Mrs. Butler studies organ with Thomas DeLessio, Director of Liturgical Music for the Diocese of Metuchen and voice with Daria Dragan, cantor in residence at St. Augustine Church in Kendell Park.   For more information about St. Joseph Music Ministry, please contact: Therese D Butler, Director St. Joseph Catholic Church 200 Carlton Ave. Washington, NJ 07882 Therese:  908 303 9402 singthemiracle@embarqmail.com   We look forward to meeting you!

The St. Joseph Music Ministry welcomes new members to come and “sing the miracle” in the 2009-2010 season.  We offer many volunteer opportunities in music ministry for all ages and ability.  St. Joseph Music Ministry is a group of people who joyfully pursue excellence in sacred/liturgical music for the sake of the Gospel and the message of God’s unconditional love for all people.  Members of St. Joseph Music Ministry are people who serve with a joyful spirit and a servant’s heart.   Our motto, “sing the miracle”, comes from an understanding that we can facilitate positive change in our daily lives if we remain open to God’s grace and live as if the desired “miracle” has already taken place.  As Christians, we believe that the “miracle” has happened through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  “Sing the miracle” is a call to live as we proclaim to believe. To register or find out more information, please fill out form contained in the attached file and return to Therese Butler at the address listed above.  We look forward to meeting you! Registration and Information Form PARISH CHOIR / GRADE 6 THROUGH ADULT The Parish Choir serves primarily as a liturgical choir at the 11:00 Mass on Sundays and special liturgical events.  Music is more contemporary but includes all music from a rich Catholic tradition. Practices are on Thursday evenings in the Church from 7:30 to 9:00 and Sunday morning at 10:30. Practices begin Thursday, Sept. 17 in the Church.  Park in the back parking lot.     CHOIRS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH / CHILDREN (K-5) and YOUTH (6-8) Practice on Monday evenings in the Church.  Practices begin on Monday, Sept. 21. Park in back parking lot.   Children Grades K-5 meets on Mondays from 5:00 to 5:45. Children in this group must be accompanied by an adult for the length of practice.   Youth Grades 6-8 meet on Mondays from 6:00 to 6:45.    Both groups learn similar repertoire and serve primarily at special liturgical events. Note that those who are receiving the sacraments this season sit with their class for those liturgies but may still sing with the choir for other events. Our goal this year is to build a repertoire of music that can be presented in concert. Children and Youth are expected to be in control of their behavior and demonstrate ability to follow directions.                                        SEASONAL CHOIRS For those who like to sing in a choir but can only sing at certain times of the year for specific events or liturgies.   Seasonal Choir follows the regular choir schedule when available.   CHOIR IN THE PEW No formal practice. This choir is for those who like to sing but not as a formal choir.   Members of this group can be added to the mailing list to obtain the list of music for the week and are invited to sit in the pews closest to the “Loft”.  Choir in the Pew allows for families, couples and friends and to sit together during liturgies.   CANTORS / LEADERS OF SONG Those who serve in the ministry of cantor / leader of song understand that they are not “soloist” but still require a very specific skill. Cantors/ Leader of Song are expected to have a pleasant singing voice with a blending / straight tone.   Training will be provided but independent study is expected. Many of our cantors / leaders of song come from existing choirs but are not required to sing in a choir.  Cantors generally serve at the Masses on Sat. @ 5:00 and Sunday morning @ 9:00 and 11:00.  Anyone interested in serving at the 7:30 Mass on Sundays should contact Mark Blaszka.   ACAPPELLA  CONCERT  ENSEMBLE / GRADE 9 THROUGH TO ADULT AUDITION REQUIRED   Meets on most Monday evenings in the Church from 8:00 to 9:30.  Begins Monday, Sept. 21. Park in back parking lot.   Primarily an SATB acappella concert ensemble but also sings at special liturgical events. Members are expected to have a pleasant blending straight tone and ability to work independently in between practices.   The music is more demanding and is drawn from various styles and time periods of sacred choral music.  This group is for the singer who joyfully embraces the commitment to sacred choral music outside of the Sunday liturgy. Our goal for this season is to build a repertoire of music that can be presented in concert.   PARISH HANDBELL CHOIR / GRADE 4 THROUGH ADULT NEW THIS YEAR!!!  GREAT FOR FAMILIES!!! Meets on Monday evenings in the Church from 7:00 to 7:45.  Begins Monday, Sept. 21.  Park in back parking lot.   The Parish Handbell Choir will serve at special events and liturgies. Basic techniques will be presented and developed.  The Parish Handbell Choir can be a fun way to participate in a “choir” for those who love music but don’t feel as if they have strong musical ability.  Our goal for this season is to build a repertoire of music that can be presented in concert.   INSTRUMENTALISTS GRADE 9 THROUGH ADULT Instrumentalists assist with liturgies and special events.  They are expected to be able to read music, follow a score, work well with a group and practice independently.  Private study or experience in a school band or orchestra is strongly encouraged.  We welcome the adult instrumentalist to bring their talents and to also serve as mentors for the student instrumentalist.