The Marquette University Liturgical Choir is a choral ensemble sponsored through the Office of Campus Ministry. This ensemble can be taken as a 1 credit or 0 credit course* through the College of Communications, and as of Fall 2023, can also be taken for 1 Honors elective credit**. The choir’s mission is to serve the liturgy by promoting and enlivening the sung prayer of the assembly. The choir is devoted to the study, rehearsal, and singing of choral literature from all periods, styles, and cultures in the context of the Roman Catholic Liturgical tradition.

The Liturgical Choir provides music for the Sunday 6 p.m. Liturgies at the Church of the Gesu as well as all-university liturgies. Reflecting Marquette’s Jesuit identity, this choir embodies and exemplifies the four components of the university’s mission: that of faith, leadership, excellence, and service. In addition, the Liturgical Choir is a faith community: students support one another and grow in faith together.

Students may join by means of a simple vocal placement interview. We accept undergraduate and graduate students, regardless of their faith tradition.

The choir performs at two annual events: the December Advent Lessons and Carols Service and a Spring Concert in April. The Liturgical Choir also collaborates with other music ministers for Sunday liturgies on campus and participates in service projects throughout the year. All members go on retreat in the beginning of each semester to deepen their understanding of their ministry, form friendships, pray with one another, and simply have fun in a relaxed and beautiful setting.

Rehearsals are held Wednesday evenings from 5:00—7:00 p.m. in the Chapel of the Holy Family. Rehearsals are mandatory for participation in the group.

For more information, email the director Andrew Mountin or call (414) 288-3695.

*There are two options for enrolling in Liturgical Choir. The first is a 1 credit option. In this option students will receive a letter grade and the course will count towards their Performing Arts class and credit. The second option is a zero-credit option. This means that your participation in the group will be listed on your academic transcript, and you will be given an S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory) grade. The zero-credit option is particularly for students who need to avoid overload charges or do not wish to have the class grade counted in their GPA. The syllabus, schedule, and concert dates for each section are identical. It is therefore to the student’s advantage, if possible, to take the ensemble for credit.

**Enrollment in the honors elective section of the course includes all the same expectations as the 1 or 0 credit sections, and includes additional study/assignments relating to sacred music and liturgical theology. Students who are interested in learning more or enrolling in this section should reach out to the director for additional information.

The Marquette University Gospel Choir is supported by Campus Ministry and welcomes students of all races and faith traditions who seek to explore and enhance their spirituality through Gospel music and praise.

Under the direction of Debra Duff, the choir sings contemporary Gospel as well as spiritual songs in the Gospel tradition. We are open to all levels of singing ability and would love to have you!

Join us for rehearsals each Monday from 5—6:50 p.m. in the Chapel of the Holy Family (AMU) during Fall Semester 2024. A 1 credit course is provided under the College of Communications - Performing Arts (MUSI 1160). No permission number is required.

For more information, contact director Debra Duff, 414-288-3695, or visit Campus Ministry, AMU 236.

Cantors perform an essential role in music ministry at Marquette. These individuals provide musical leadership for one of the Sunday Campus Ministry Masses: 4:30 p.m. (Spanish) in the St. Joan of Arc Chapel, 6 p.m. in the Church of the Gesu, and 9 p.m. in the Chapel of the Holy Family. Cantors for weeknight liturgies in the St. Joan of Arc Chapel are drawn from the Student Music Teams.

The primary role of the Cantor is to proclaim the psalm and to lead musical portions of the Mass not sung by the assembly. Cantors participate with the assembly and provide visual leadership through posture and gestures in the singing of hymns, songs, and service music.

Cantors are accepted by audition and are expected to have the ability to read music, rehearse independently, and meet with the director of music 1:1 for preparation. Training and rehearsals will be scheduled throughout the academic year. For more information, email the director Andrew Mountin or call (414) 288-3695.

A simple, 10-minute vocal placement interview is required for membership in the Liturgical Choir. The interview consists of:

• Vocal Warm-Ups

• Pitch memory exercises

• Singing a song of your choice

• A simple sight singing example

Not only is it not a problem, but you are strongly encouraged to join. Liturgical Choir is composed of members with a range of musical experience. Whether you have been singing in choirs for years or this is your first experience, this ensemble is for you!

The Music Ministry Team is a select group of instrumentalists and singers who take an active leadership role in music ministry. Members of this team serve as leaders of small ensembles for Masses on Sunday evening at 9 p.m. in the Chapel of the Holy Family and on weeknights at 10 p.m. in the St. Joan of Arc Chapel.

The team meets weekly to prepare the music for the Masses. This includes sharing the scriptures and offering music suggestions, evaluating the music for all Masses on a weekly basis, assisting with the training of cantors, and assisting in other prayer services such as Taizé Prayer.

With only one exception (the 6:00 p.m. Sunday Mass led by the Liturgical Choir) each Mass on campus is served by a student-led team of musicians. These teams can include a combination of instrumentalists and singers. With input from the director, every team works together to pick and lead music at their respective Masses. Each team includes at least one leader from the Music Ministry Team who serves as the point person for that Mass. We currently consist of four of these student teams, leading at the following liturgies:

• Sunday 4:30 p.m. Spanish Mass in St. Joan of Arc Chapel
• Sunday 9:00 p.m. Mass in Chapel of the Holy Family
• Tuesday 10:00 p.m. Mass in St. Joan of Arc Chapel
• Thursday 10:00 p.m. Mass in St. Joan of Arc Chapel

Campus Ministry employs student assistants in a variety of areas, including in music ministry. Student assistants in Music Ministry are hired to help out with the following: preparation of music binders for Sunday liturgies, leadership of student music teams, organization of Liturgical Choir music and binders, setup and cleanup for choir rehearsals and liturgies, copyright reporting, facilitation with chapel requests, and other tasks as necessary.

Student assistants are frequently asked to take leadership of one of the Student Music Teams each semester and are expected to serve on the Music Ministry Team. Student assistants are also able to dedicate a certain amount of their weekly work hours to practice and instruction on their instrument of choice, subject to approval from their supervisor.