Music Ministry

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church has a long tradition of quality music programs to enhance
the liturgy. We currently use both traditional and contemporary hymns from the GIA Gather Comprehensive 2 Hymnal, supplemented with instrumental solos and choir anthems.
Please contact Mrs. Amy Cooke, the Music Director, at musicdir@stjohnmonroe.com if you are interested in joining one of these groups.
 

Quick Links

• Altar Servers
  
• Art & Environment
  
• Eucharistic Minister
  
• Hospitality/Greeters
• Lector
• Music Ministry
  
• Ushers

• Adult Parish Choir sings at the 10:00 a.m. Sunday Mass from September through Pentecost, as well as at major feast days and special liturgies. Our choir is small but mighty, with great camaraderie! There is limited space for 15 people in the balcony and we currently have 13 very dedicated and talented members. We prepare choir anthems, harmonies on hymns, and a variety of music in unison or parts. Rehearsals are Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:00 pm in the choir loft. High school students are invited to join this group. We have several social events such as a Christmas party, summer BBQ and Mud Hens baseball game, attending concerts, and occasionally going out together after rehearsals. 

• Cantors assist in the liturgy by leading the hymns and psalms to support congregational singing. A cantor must have confidence and proficiency in singing within a standard congregational range and a pleasant voice that clearly conveys the text. Cantors are not required to join the choir, but must prepare ahead and rehearse with the music director. Cantors receive a psalmody book and can also practice the music with corresponding YouTube recordings at home. Cantors who play guitar are encouraged to sing solo contemporary praise songs at certain times in the liturgy. The director also encourages and trains youth cantors from 6th grade through high school to sing at weekend Masses. 
• Instrumentalists who play and read music with a minimum of high school proficiency are welcome to assist at Mass, especially at special seasonal liturgies. Parts are available for percussion and C and Bb instruments to play the melody and/or descant parts with congregational hymns. Instrumentalists are not required to join a music group, but must prepare ahead and rehearse with the music director.​​

• ​​​School Mass Choir enhances congregational singing at the. St. John School 8:15 am Mass on Tuesdays during the school year. 4th-grade student volunteers form the choir, and rehearsals are usually once a week during school snack and recess time for 20-30 minutes. Capable singers are also taught to cantor and meet with the director for additional time during school recess. Once we build our repertoire, the rehearsals are less frequent. Choir students are also allowed to participate in the Mass as altar servers and readers.
• Parish Youth Choir sings quarterly at a Sunday Mass. All children in grades 3-8 are welcome to join us. Invitational announcements are sent through MCES schools and Faith Formation. We sometimes even join the adult choir for Sunday Mass. Rehearsals are usually one evening or one Sunday after a Mass. 
• Children's Christmas Choir performs at the Christmas Eve 4:00 pm Mass. Rehearsals are held weekly in December for children in grades 2-8. We incorporate basic percussion instruments, some solos, and fun! Invitational announcements are sent through MCES schools and Faith Formation.
• Handbells are used to enhance special seasonal liturgies with rehearsals scheduled TBA several weeks prior. Inexperienced ringers who want to learn are invited to join us!