Music At The Basilica

MUSIC AND LITURGICAL MINISTRIES 

“Liturgical musicians are first of all disciples, and only then are they ministers.  Joined to Christ through the Sacraments of Initiation, musicians belong to the assembly of the baptized faithful; they are worshipers above all else. Like other baptized members of the assembly, pastoral musicians need to hear the gospel, experience conversion, profess faith in Christ, and so proclaim the praise of God.  Thus, musicians who serve the Church at prayer are not merely employees or volunteers. They are ministers who share the faith, serve the community, and express the love of God and neighbor through music.”

Sing to the Lord-Music in Divine Worship, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops #49

Liturgical Choir Schedule at The Basilica of Saint Paul

The Basilica’s Music Ministry serves the Basilica/Parish through participation in the weekly liturgies as well as special events scheduled during the year.

The music ministry brings song to every weekend liturgy in addition to providing music for feast days, special liturgies, wedding celebrations and funeral liturgies.

The Weekend liturgies include:

• Saturday 4pm  Vigil   Cantor and Organ/Piano

• Sunday 8:30am       Basilica Children’s Choir (monthly)/ Cantor & Organ/Piano

• Sunday 11am        Resident Choir/Schola /Cantor / Organ/Piano & Acappella

• Sunday 1pm         Resident Spanish Choir/Cantor and Piano/Organ/Percussion

• Sunday 6pm         Cantor and Organ/Piano

 BASILICA CHOIRS

BASILICA CHILDREN’S CHOIR:  This choir is open to all the children of the Basilica Parish and surrounding area of Daytona Beach.  It supports and enhances sung liturgy one Sunday a month at the 8:30am Mass.  All children K through 8 are invited to sing in this liturgical choir.  The choir sings liturgical music comprised of hymnody and other liturgical Mass settings from memory.  Rehearsals are Thursdays 3:15- 4:00pm in the Church .  

BASILICA RESIDENT HISPANIC CORO:  This choir supports and enhances the music at the 1pm Mass year round.  Their repertoire is completely Spanish and encompasses sacred hymnody and liturgical music from the international Hispanic community. It is comprised of singers, percussionists, guitarists and piano/organ.  This choir rehearses Wednesdays at 6pm in the Office area of the Basilica. 

BASILICA RESIDENT CHOIR:  This choir supports and enhances the music at the 11am Mass 9 months of the year. Their repertoire encompasses all styles of music, from chant and Renaissance motets to 20^th century anthems, sung with organ accompaniment.  They rehearse Thursday evenings at 7pm – 9pm with Choir Call on Sundays at 10:15am prior to 11am Mass.  Rehearsals are in the church proper, choir loft or office area of the Basilica.

BASILICA RESIDENT SCHOLA ENSEMBLE:  This concert choir supports the music at the 11am Mass and major liturgical events at the Basilica.  Their repertoire is generally acappella and encompasses all genres of sacred music.  Their rehearsals are scheduled as needed in addition to the Thursday night rehearsal for the Basilica Resident Choir.    

BASILICA COLLEGIATE SCHOLA ENSEMBLE:  This choir supports the 11am Mass during the Octave of Christmas and Easter.   These singers sing in college concert choirs, and they are voice majors at neighboring universities; Stetson and University of Central Florida.  They sing all genres of sacred music acapella and with accompaniment.  Their rehearsals are TBA.

As Music Director of the Basilica of Saint Paul I believe that presenting information for the edification of all parishioners to better understand why we worship as we do is essential and enhances all to better understand that our worship is a worship rooted in sung worship; a song that is an integral part of our spiritual being.   

Anne Conover, MLM

CONSTITUTION
ON THE SACRED LITURGY
SACROSANCTUM CONCILIUM
SOLEMNLY PROMULGATED BY
HIS HOLINESS
POPE PAUL VI
ON DECEMBER 4, 1963

CHAPTER VI SACRED MUSIC

112. The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as sacred song united to the words, it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy.

Holy Scripture, indeed, has bestowed praise upon sacred song [42], and the same may be said of the fathers of the Church and of the Roman pontiffs who in recent times, led by St. Pius X, have explained more precisely the ministerial function supplied by sacred music in the service of the Lord.

Therefore sacred music is to be considered the more holy in proportion as it is more closely connected with the liturgical action, whether it adds delight to prayer, fosters unity of minds, or confers greater solemnity upon the sacred rites. But the Church approves of all forms of true art having the needed qualities, and admits them into divine worship.

Accordingly, the sacred Council, keeping to the norms and precepts of ecclesiastical tradition and discipline, and having regard to the purpose of sacred music, which is the glory of God and the sanctification of the faithful, decrees as follows.

113. Liturgical worship is given a more noble form when the divine offices are celebrated solemnly in song, with the assistance of sacred ministers and the active participation of the people.

As regards the language to be used, the provisions of Art. 36 are to be observed; for the Mass, Art. 54; for the sacraments, Art. 63; for the divine office. Art. 101.

114. The treasure of sacred music is to be preserved and fostered with great care. Choirs must be diligently promoted, especially in cathedral churches; but bishops and other pastors of souls must be at pains to ensure that, whenever the sacred action is to be celebrated with song, the whole body of the faithful may be able to contribute that active participation which is rightly theirs, as laid down in Art. 28 and 30.

115. Great importance is to be attached to the teaching and practice of music in seminaries, in the novitiates and houses of study of religious of both sexes, and also in other Catholic institutions and schools. To impart this instruction, teachers are to be carefully trained and put in charge of the teaching of sacred music.

It is desirable also to found higher institutes of sacred music whenever this can be done.

Composers and singers, especially boys, must also be given a genuine liturgical training.

116. The Church acknowledges Gregorian chant as specially suited to the Roman liturgy: therefore, other things being equal, it should be given pride of place in liturgical services.

But other kinds of sacred music, especially polyphony, are by no means excluded from liturgical celebrations, so long as they accord with the spirit of the liturgical action, as laid down in Art. 30.

117. The typical edition of the books of Gregorian chant is to be completed; and a more critical edition is to be prepared of those books already published since the restoration by St. Pius X.

It is desirable also that an edition be prepared containing simpler melodies, for use in small churches.

118. Religious singing by the people is to be intelligently fostered so that in devotions and sacred exercises, as also during liturgical services, the voices of the faithful may ring out according to the norms and requirements of the rubrics.

119. In certain parts of the world, especially mission lands, there are peoples who have their own musical traditions, and these play a great part in their religious and social life. For this reason due importance is to be attached to their music, and a suitable place is to be given to it, not only in forming their attitude toward religion, but also in adapting worship to their native genius, as indicated in Art. 39 and 40.

Therefore, when missionaries are being given training in music, every effort should be made to see that they become competent in promoting the traditional music of these peoples, both in schools and in sacred services, as far as may be practicable.

120. In the Latin Church the pipe organ is to be held in high esteem, for it is the traditional musical instrument which adds a wonderful splendor to the Church's ceremonies and powerfully lifts up man's mind to God and to higher things.

But other instruments also may be admitted for use in divine worship, with the knowledge and consent of the competent territorial authority, as laid down in Art. 22, 52, 37, and 40. This may be done, however, only on condition that the instruments are suitable, or can be made suitable, for sacred use, accord with the dignity of the temple, and truly contribute to the edification of the faithful.

121. Composers, filled with the Christian spirit, should feel that their vocation is to cultivate sacred music and increase its store of treasures.

Let them produce compositions which have the qualities proper to genuine sacred music, not confining themselves to works which can be sung only by large choirs, but providing also for the needs of small choirs and for the active participation of the entire assembly of the faithful.

The texts intended to be sung must always be in conformity with Catholic doctrine; indeed they should be drawn chiefly from holy scripture and from liturgical sources.