The Parish Children’s Choir has open membership to parish students in third through eighth grade. We provide music once a month for the 10:45 a.m. Family Mass and lead the assembly in worship and song. The PCC rehearses Wednesday afternoons in the Church from 3:00 until 4:15 p.m. Our first rehearsal is usually the first Wednesday in September and the final Family Mass is in May.
Throughout the school year, the SJB Parish Children’s Choir is invited to perform at other special events; i.e., SJB International Night, Holy Name Men’s Club events, PS/A Breakfast with Santa, and area choral festivals. Attendance to most special events is optional. If your child is interested in joining the Parish Children’s Choir, please contact the Assistant Music Director, Mrs. Carol Zalinski at 847-966-8145.
“One Voice” is the SJB adult contemporary music ensemble. This group has an open membership to all parishioners of college age through senior citizen. Our task is to provide contemporary style music on the second Sunday of each month at the 9:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Masses. O.V. rehearses Tuesday evenings in the Church from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m. The first rehearsal begins in mid-August and our last Mass is the second Sunday of June.
Throughout the year, “One Voice” will sing/play at parish special events including Confirmation. If you are interested in joining “One Voice”, please contact the Assistant Music Director, Mrs. Carol Zalinski at (847) 966-8145.
This choir is the parish adult choir which rehearses Monday nights in the church music room, and usually sings at the 10:45 a.m. Mass on the First Sunday of the Month. The group sings from September through June. The style is traditional to contemporary. Ron Vanasdlen, Director, (847) 630-7486 sjbmusicniles@gmail.com.
Rehearsing Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in the School Music Room, the LifeTeen Choir is open to all high school students and RE students in 7th and 8th grade who are unable to attend the Children’s Choir rehearsals. The Teens sing at the LifeTeen Mass usually the third Saturday of the month at 5 p.m. Instrumentalists are welcome too. The group sings and plays from September through June. Ron Vanasdlen, Director, (847) 630-7486 sjbmusicniles@gmail.com.
This group of music ministers is for SJB school children who play at school Masses. Rehearsals are Tuesdays 2:15 p.m. in the church music room. Due to the nature of ringing bells it is best to have a basic understanding of music. The group rings from September through June. Ron Vanasdlen, Director, (847) 630-7486 sjbmusicniles@gmail.com.
9th through 12th graders rehearse Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. in the church music room and play throughout the year at scheduled Masses. Due to the nature of ringing bells, it is best to have a basic understanding of music. The group rings from September through June. Ron Vanasdlen, Director, (847) 630-7486 sjbmusicniles@gmail.com.
To be a parish cantor an audition is required. Being a choir member is a good way to receive training that can prepare one to be a cantor. Cantors are scheduled to sing from one to four Masses per month as needed. Cantors are also needed for Wedding and Funeral Masses throughout the year.
Cantors usually spend more time in personal preparation for liturgies. Music is a huge time commitment but the rewards are “out of this world”. Cantors are scheduled year round when a choir or music ensemble is not scheduled for a Mass from September through June. Ron Vanasdlen, Director, (847) 630-7486 sjbmusicniles@gmail.com.
This is an auditioned ensemble of women who participate in weekly rehearsals and sing on the first and third Sundays of the month at the 9 a.m. Mass. Ron Vanasdlen, Director, (847) 630-7486 sjbmusicniles@gmail.com.
If you are available to minister at any of our funeral liturgies, please contact Ron Vanasdlen, Director, (847) 630-7486 sjbmusicniles@gmail.com.
The Young Adult Polish Choir (“Promyki”) has been active for the past three years singing every second Sunday of the month at the 12:30 p.m. Mass. Besides serving God, the choir helps children keep their heritage alive. Rehearsals are Saturday in the School Music Room at 4 p.m. from September through June. Director Rafal Woznik
Musicians are always welcome to assist the assembly with sung prayer. Members of the parish who have training on a particular instrument or instruments are welcome to speak with one of the music directors.
Your gift of ministry may be in administration and the music ensembles need you. There’s much filing and sorting necessary to keep an active music ministry going. If you’re available during the week (daytime or evening) then there’s bound to be an office job that needs to be done. Choir parents are also necessary to assist with the Children’s Choir.
Those aspiring to music ministry must first and foremost be people of prayer. Sung prayer is an extension of the spoken prayer offered by the people of God. Music Ministers must maintain a consistent rehearsal schedule with the group to which they belong.