Music Ministry -
Ascension and St. Edmund Parish
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Sing a New Song Unto the Lord
Each weekend we gather as a Christian community to celebrate the Eucharist. In the liturgical prayer of the church, common song is a means of establishing a bond among members, of expressing that unity of purpose rooted in the waters of baptism. When Christians sing together, they minister to one another; there is mutual support as each person lends a voice to the song of the community and thereby encourages other to do likewise. Through its sung prayer, the assembly joyfully announces the Good News of Christ. Singing is a sign that something important happens when we come together. Yet common song, if it is to be authentic prayer, must be expressive of people truly engaged in communion with God and others. It must come from persons whose hands faithfully carry out the work of God, for unless the Gospel message is lived outside the liturgy, it cannot be truly celebrated within it.
The people who make up our ministry have as their primary goal, the support and encouragement of the sung prayer of the assembly. The various choirs and ensembles are comprised of various individuals committed to this goal. A listing of our choirs and ensembles follow. New members are always welcome. The rehearsal schedules vary to enable more people to be involved in this important ministry of the parish.
We invite you to take a moment and review our choir options.
Contact:- Dr. David Anderson
Director of Pastoral Music and Liturgy - Ascension Campus
[email protected]
(708) 848-2703 - Robert Valle
Associate Musician and Director of St. Edmund Choir
[email protected]
(708) 848-4417
- Dr. David Anderson
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Parish Music Ministries
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All rehearsals take place on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 t 8:30 PM. For the most part, we will rehearse approximately two Tuesday evenings each month. The schedule for rehearsal and mass dates is available below.
If you are going to be absent, please call the music office at (708) 434-1535 or email Dr. David Anderson at [email protected]. Most rehearsals take place in church near the piano.
The Ascension Schola usually sings at the 8:00 AM Mass on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month. There are many exceptions to this schedule due to the Liturgical calendar! We meet on Sunday mornings at 7:30 AM in the choir loft or main floor of church.
Our first rehearsal is Tuesday, September 9 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. New members in all voice parts are welcome!
“God has bestowed upon his people the gift of song. God dwells within each human person, in the place where music takes its source. Indeed, God, the giver of song, is present whenever God’s people sing his praises." (Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship #1)
For more information, please contact Dr. David Anderson, Director of Pastoral Music and Liturgy, at (708) 848-2703 or [email protected].
> SCHOLA REHEARSAL AND MASS SCHEDULE 2025-2026 (PDF)
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Unless otherwise noted, all rehearsals take place on Wednesday evenings at 7:00-8:45 PM. We meet at 9:45 AM on Sundays to rehearse for the 10:30 AM Mass. We generally do not sing on the first Sunday of each month. The schedule for rehearsal and mass dates is available below.
If you are unable to be present, please e-mail the music ministry office at [email protected]. You may also call the Music Ministry office at (708) 434-1535. If you miss a Wednesday rehearsal, you still are welcome to sing on Sunday, but please be on time for the Sunday rehearsal at 9:45 AM.
Attendance Policy - We would love for you to attend every Mass and rehearsal, but we realize that conflicts are sometimes unavoidable. Please strive for the following: Two-Three out of four rehearsals and two-three (preferably three) Masses each month.
Our first rehearsal is Wednesday, September 10 from 7:00 to 8:45 PM. New members in all voice parts are welcome!
“God has bestowed upon his people the gift of song. God dwells within each human person, in the place where music takes its source. Indeed, God, the giver of song, is present whenever God’s people sing his praises." (Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship #1)
For more information, please contact Dr. David Anderson, Director of Pastoral Music and Liturgy, at (708) 848-2703 or [email protected].
> ASCENSION CHOIR REHEARSAL AND MASS SCHEDULE 2025-2026 (PDF)
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The St. Edmund Choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings in Murphy Hall at St. Edmund and sings at the Saturday 5:00 PM Mass. Our rehearsals are from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. The schedule for rehearsal and mass dates is available below.
New members in all voice parts are welcome!
Our first rehearsal is Wednesday, September 10 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. New members in all voice parts are welcome!
For more information, please contact Robert Valle, Associate Musician and Director of St. Edmund Choir, at (708) 848-4417 or [email protected].
> ST. EDMUND CHOIR REHEARSAL AND MASS SCHEDULE 2025-2026 (PDF)
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The Ascension Choristers are comprised of young people in our parish in grades 3-8. For 2025-2026, the Choristers will typically (with some exceptions) sing on the first Sunday of each month (October – May) at the 10:30 AM Mass.
For most rehearsal weeks, there are usually two rehearsal days according to grade level. Young people in Grades 6-8 practice on Tuesdays from 3:05 to 4:00 PM. Young people in grades 3-5 practice on Wednesdays from 3:05 to 4:00 PM (Wednesday rehearsals that fall on the first Wednesday of the month meet from 2:05 to 3:00PM). We normally practice 3 times each month.
All practices take place in church. Students will enter by grade level or section at the Van Buren entrance to church. A snack will be distributed at the end of practice as the singers leave. Attendance requirement: Students are asked to be present for most scheduled rehearsals and should be present for most of the scheduled Masses throughout the year.
Our primary goal is to train young singers to sing their faith and prepare them for sung music ministry leadership at Sunday Mass.
Our first rehearsal dates for the year are on September 9 and 10 (6-8 grade singers on Tuesday, September 9 and 3-5 grade singers on Wednesday September 10.
Our first Chorister Mass is on Sunday, October 5 at the 10:30 AM Mass.
A schedule for the year as well as permission slips are available below. Copies are also available at the school and religious education offices.
For more information, please contact Dr. David Anderson, Director of Pastoral Music and Liturgy, at (708) 848-2703 or [email protected].
> ASCENSION CHORISTER REHEARSAL AND MASS SCHEDULE 2025-2026 (PDF)
> Chorister Permission Slip (PDF)
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The String Ensemble plays for the Saturday 5:00 pm Mass, usually on the 4th Saturday of each month. Rehearsal is before the Mass. Membership is open to all high school string players. Adult string players are also welcome to join this group as well.
The String Ensemble
For more information, contact Becky Coffman, Associate Organist and Strings Coordinator, at (708) 434-1561 or [email protected]Other Instrumentalists
Other Instrumentalists of the parish are also welcome to offer their talents at various parish Masses.
If you are fairly proficient at a particular musical instrument and would like to offer your talents, please contact Dr. David Anderson, Director of Pastoral Music and Liturgy, at (708) 848-2703 or [email protected]. Music is provided!
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Cantors assist with the leading and animating the sung prayer of our community. Some musical reading ability is helpful along with a pleasant voice! Cantors rehearse individually and in small groups as needed. We are always looking for additional cantors. Contact David Anderson to set–up an audition. While many cantors sing in one of the parish choirs, this is not a requirement.
For more information, please contact Dr. David Anderson, Director of Pastoral Music and Liturgy, at (708) 848-2703 or [email protected].
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