Music
SAINT MARY'S CHURCH MUSIC PROGRAM
"The full and active participation by all the people is the aim to be considered before all else; for it is the primary and indispensable source from which the faithful are to derive the true Christian spirit: and, therefore, pastors of souls must zealously strive to achieve it, by means of the necessary instruction, in all their pastoral work" - Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, n. 14.
Since its inception in 1828, the Church of the Holy Name of Mary, Our Lady of the Isle, Rhode Island's first Roman Catholic Parish, has served as a model of worship, fellowship, and service, with the Sacred Mass and the Sacraments at its heart.
St Mary's music program's mission is to lead and uplift the community in sung prayer. The magnificent Gothic Revival setting of St Mary's Church, as well as its glorious acoustics and our recently restored Casavant pipe organ, combine to lift the worshippers' spirits to a higher awareness of God's love and power. Our parish music program recognizes the Church's rich musical history and strives to supplement it with the vast musical resources available.
The Parish Choir
Talented singers and skilled instrumentalists regularly enhance our liturgies at St. Mary's, which is truly a blessing. Our parish choir includes choral music from various languages and centuries in its repertoire. Our choir takes part in the Sunday 11am Mass and meets for rehearsals in the Parish Center on Thursday evenings from 6:00pm to 7:30pm. In addition to other church events, the choir is also heard providing music for special liturgies, including Christmas, St. Patrick's Day Mass, Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. We welcome all interested singers to join the choir. An audition is not required. A strong desire to praise God through song is all that is necessary. Please introduce yourself to Kyle Medeiros, our organist/choir director, after any of the weekend masses, or email him at stmarykyle@gmail.com for additional information.
The Funeral Choir
The mission of the funeral choir is to offer sung support to honor the deceased, using the gift of song as a form of prayer. We warmly welcome new members, regardless of your limited availability. Funerals are generally scheduled for weekday mornings, typically at 10 a.m. The offering of music through prayer, especially for families in mourning, is a deeply fulfilling calling that also conveys Christ's love to everyone.
Cantors/Leaders of Song
The cantor serves a unique and important function within the music ministry. Cantors lead the responsorial psalm, thereby proclaiming the Word. They also guide the assembly in singing congregational hymns, alleluia verses, antiphons, and all other sung mass responses as song leaders. Prior singing experience is necessary, and it is advisable to have the ability to read music.
Our Casavant Pipe Organ Op. 2462
The Casavant Op. 2462 pipe organ is an appropriate match for a grand, historic church like St Mary's. Casavant Frères Ltée of Quebec, Canada, built and installed St Mary's organ in 1958. It was one of the last (if not the last) organs built under Stephen Stoot's tonal supervision, who was known for the beautiful tone of his organs. Today, the company is the world's largest pipe organ builder, and it was chosen to restore St Mary's nearly 60-year-old pipe organ.
In 2015, one of the worlds leading authorities on the history and art of organ building and design, Mr. Jonathan Ambrosino, was commissioned to conduct due diligence and offer his expert opinion on a full restoration. Mr. Ambrosino's evaluation was clear. His report stated: "I believe the organ should be considered one of historic merit. In its physical manufacture, and in the construction and voicing of its pipes....Saint Mary's organ, as anachronistic in 1958 as a brand new Victorian house would have been, is revealed as a most fortunate instrument for accompanying the Mass and for Saint Mary's in general. This is an instrument demanding respect, pride and best treatment."
In 2016, the pipe organ was dismantled and shipped to the Casavant Company, where it was meticulously restored. The work was completed entirely by hand by skilled craftspeople and returned to St Mary's in the spring of 2017. The pipe organ is now of the highest sound quality, and its presence in the choir loft is aesthetically pleasing, structurally sound, and perfectly matched to the Church's remarkable and historic Gothic Revival architectural style.