The Choirs of St Margaret of York

Echos Novus (New Sounds)

With a successful year, the Echos Novus continues on the tradition of teaching young people about our faith, our worship, and our Catholic music. This choir is open to children Kindergarten through First Grade. This choir's ministerial mission is to serve as an introductory time to choir singing and mass participation for young people. They sing as a prelude to the 11:00 AM Mass on the first Sunday of the month. Rehearsals are every Wednesday from 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM in the choir room.

York Youth Singers

Formed four years ago, the choir enjoys a reputation for choral excellence as a standard for Catholic children choirs. Their activities include singing at Mass and participating in concerts and presentations in and outside the parish. The choir has been featured in an article at the Catholic Telegraph. The choir sang at the Chicago Cathedral, St Anthony's Church, and other places sharing their talent with people outside the parish. In February 2007, the York Youth Singers collaborated with the Vocal Arts Ensemble of Cincinnati a concert.

For the 2008-2009 Year, the York Youth Singers will be offering a new format. The York Youth Singers, formally the choir for any young parishioner in Grades 2-6, will be divided into The YORK BOYS CHOIR and THE YORK GIRLS CHOIR. This year the choirs will be open to young people in Grades 2 through 7. Each choir will rehearse on Wednesday evenings from 6-7 PM. Each choir will be assigned two liturgies per month: one liturgy the choirs will sing by themselves, and the other liturgy they will be paired with either the Men's Choir (York Boy's Choir) or the Women's Choir (York Girl's Choir). In addition, they will come together for special celebrations such as the Christmas Concert, the Christmas Eve Family Mass, Easter, and First Communion. We encourage all young people who are interested in singing, serving their parish, and being part of our worship at St Margaret of York to sign up now. The registration form available online (Forms) where it can be printed and dropped off in the parish office for Javier Clavere.

We are excited about this new format and hope our young people will be equally as excited. As with sports, we need enough members to have a good team so we invite you to sign up soon! Registrations will be accepted through Tuesday, September 9, with our first rehearsal scheduled for Wednesday, September 10. This first rehearsal will be two-fold: from 6:00-6:30 the choirs will rehearse with their conductors, and from 6:30-7:00, we will hold a combined meeting with choristers and their parents. Just one parent will need to be present for this meeting; the parent/child meeting is required for all who wish to participate

Teen Choir

Grades 7-12

This choir is open to teenagers and young adults of the parish. Its ministerial function is to provide an avenue for young people to worship in our main liturgies and to support the congregation in song. Created as a stepping-stone from the York Youth Singers, this choir will sing from October to May at the second and fourth Saturday liturgies of the month. Rehearsals are one hour prior to the mass. Musicians (instrumentalists) are welcome and encouraged to participate.

York Chorale

No Age Limit

This group's ministerial function is to provide music and support to the congregation in singing at the main liturgies of the Year. They sing at Christmas, Holy Week, Confirmation, and at the 11:00 AM Mass the third Sunday of the month. This group is accompanied by the sounds of a brass quartet and percussion. See the schedule of rehearsals for more information.

The Women's Schola

This Choir's ministerial function is to provide music and support to the congregation. The choir is open to all women in the parish. The choir is intended to foster and promote the participation of women in the liturgy, to exalt and support the art of women's voices, and to provide the opportunity for camaraderie and social time among women of the parish. The choir sings at the 9:00 AM Mass on the Fourth Sunday of the month and 11:00 AM Mass on the Fourth Sunday of the month. Rehearsals for this choir, the Men's Choir, and the Family Choir are every Wednesday from 7:30 to 9:00 PM.

The Men's Choir 

This choir's ministerial function is to provide music and support to the congregation. This choir is open to all men of the parish. It is intended, as in the case of the Women's Schola, to promote the participation of men in the liturgy, to exalt and promote the art of men's voices, and to provide the opportunity for camaraderie and social time among men. The choir sings at the 9:00 AM Mass the second Sunday of the month and 11:00 AM Mass on the Fourth Sunday of the Month. Rehearsals for this choir, the Women's Choir, and Family Choir are every Wednesday from 7:30 to 9:00 PM.

Family Choir

No Age Limit

This choir sings at the 9:00 and 11:00 AM Mass the Fifth Sunday of the month (when calendar fall on a Fifth Sunday). It is an opportunity for all the members of the choirs to come together and participate as a true diverse community. This choir allows all members and their children to sing at Mass. Rehearsals are one hour before the Mass on the Fifth Sunday of the month.

Cantors and Song Leaders

By audition only. The cantor and song leader has the responsibility of leading the congregation and proclaiming the word of God through the singing of the Responsorial Psalm. The singers must be able to read music and posses appropriate musical skills. Ongoing musical training and coaching is provided. Cantors are required to participate in one of the choirs.

Join us in one of the many ways to participate the music ministry at St Margaret of York