The Music Ministry is a prayer-centered service ministry, dedicated to the Liturgy of the people and our parish. As such, we are focused on welcoming, encouraging the song of the assembly, and supporting each other in our love for the Lord. All who sing and play at regular weekend liturgies rehearse together each week, forming a community of faith based on the common bonds of music and Christian life. We encourage adults, teens, and children, singers and instrumentalists, to come join us.
Our Director of Music, Mrs. Michele P. Farmer says that "The joyous song of our entire assembly is the first priority. And we are blessed with many talented singers and musicians to support that song. I hope to welcome even more of our gifted people to join music ministry at St. Mary of Vernon, especially our children and teens.” Please contact Michele Farmer by email or at 847-362-1005 to volunteer, or if you would like more information. Be a part of that heavenly host singing ‘round the table of the Lord.
The adult choir sings 5-part arrangments - basses, tenors, altos sopranos, and descant sopranos. We are accompanied by guitar and piano. We encourage those age 19 or older who want to share ther gift of music with the parish to come join our adult choir.
We sing as small groups for each of the weekend Masses. You can pick the Mass at which you want to sing. For Christmas and Easter we sing as a full choir for Midnight Mass, Holy Week and the Easter Vigil Mass. Perhaps you have wanted a chance to sing with choir, but cannot commit to singing year-round. This is your opportunity to give it a try!
Rehearsals Wednesdays 7:30—9:30 PM. We are always in need of additional singers, especially at this time tenors and basses.
Are you a teen, 8th grade through high school senior? Singers in all voices are welcome. Guys, whether your voice has changed or not, we have a spot for you! If you sing at chorus in school, or in a show choir, why not share all you have learned by singing here at church?
Instrumentalists who play in band or orchestra at school, no matter what your instrument, you can also be a part of what we do here at church. we have drummers, keyboardists, flutists, clarinetists, string players of all kinds, trumpeters and horn players of every shape and size. No matter how you make music, there is a place for you here. You have the chance to be part of a smaller ensemble where you might have a chance to really show the talent God gave you! We rehearse during the school year on Sunday afternoons from 2 pm to 3:30 pm. There is a definite schedule, but you can come in and out of the choir as your own activities require!
Print out the Teen Choir Registration Form and drop it off or mail it in. Or try our new On-line Teen Choir Registration Form. You can also get on our mailing list by calling Michele Farmer 847-362-1005 or mfarmer@maryofvernon.org. If you play a transposing instrument, call to let Michelle know you are coming so she can have music ready for you!
It’s time for me to once again ask the community for help! We need a new infusion of children, and especially willing parents to help launch our new Youth Choir Year! This is the training ground for the Church’s future singers and players! Take a survey of the adult musicians in any parish, and you will find the vast majority began as part of a Youth Choir. At St. Mary of Vernon, our Youth Choir includes singers from 3rd grade through 7th grade. Boys and girls are welcome.
We have two to three sessions of choir per year, plus a Christmas Choir that is made up by combining the Youth Choir and Teen Choir. The fall session runs from September—November. (Christmas Choir sessions, which are on the Teen Choir schedule of Sunday afternoons, run during December). The Winter Session of Youth Choir is from January through April, culminating with Easter Mass.
We rehearse on Wednesday early evening, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the church.
Are you interested? Love children, love music, love the liturgy? Complete the Youth Choir Registration Form for your child and start having some fun. If you try our new online Youth Choir Registration Form you will need to print screen it out and sign the form for your child to bring with to the first rehearsal.
Parent volunteers are needed to assist with Choir rehearsals and during choir liturgies. All volunteers at SMV are required to have a background check on file and attend VIRTUS training.