Liturgical Music:
Music expresses our faith in a way that the spoken word alone, cannot. It is an integral part of all our liturgies and our individual journey of faith. It connects and unifies us with one another and brings all the elements of the liturgy together. Liturgical composer David Haas describes music as being “liturgical glue.” Music deepens our faith and allows us to praise and glorify God in a deeply personal way.

Cantors:
Cantors are experienced singers who lead the congregational singing at our liturgies and also proclaim the Word of God from the ambo as the psalmist. Cantors are selected by audition and interview with the Director of Music, Susie Marion.

Cantors:
Danielle Bickers
Judy Groff
Dave Kilbarger
Annette Presnell
Chris Ryckman
Becky Sullivan
Linda Swartz
Nic Ventura


Choirs:
Adult Choir: The Adult Choir sings primarily at the 8:45am Sunday Mass, and all other principal celebrations of the liturgical calendar. The Adult Choir is open to adults and high school students. There are no try-outs, just a willingness to praise God though song. The choir sings from September through the end of May, and also for our parish patronal feast – the Assumption of Mary, in August. The choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings at 7pm. To volunteer for this ministry, please contact the director, Carlton Rider at the Rectory Office: 740.653.0997.


Children’s Choir: The Children’s Choir sings at various Masses throughout the liturgical year. Practices take place at 10am in the church balcony between Sunday Masses. The choir practice schedule will be posted in the church bulletin. All school-age children are eligible to sing in this choir. To volunteer for this ministry, please contact the director, Rebecca Sullivan at the Rectory Office: 740.653.0997.


Funeral Choir: The Funeral Choir leads congregational singing at the funeral liturgy. This very special group of people gathers on short notice to provide this invaluable service to the family and friends who are grieving the loss of a loved one. To volunteer for this ministry, please contact the director, Susie Marion at the Rectory Office: 740.653.0997.


Pipe Organ
The primary instrument at sung liturgies is the human voice. Another important instrument at the center of our liturgies at Saint Mary of the Assumption is the magnificent pipe organ. It was built by the Austin Organ Company of Hartford, Connecticut in 1988. It was installed in January of 1989 and first played at the Easter Vigil of that same year. It replaced another Austin Organ that had been in use for 75 years. Our Austin Organ (Opus 2714) consists of 3 manuals (keyboards), a two and a half octave pedal board and has 35 ranks of pipes. That is 2,093 individual pipes. The pipes are made of zinc, spotted metal, poplar, walnut, mahogany, and sweet maple. The 93 pipes that you can see along the front and side of the instrument are called “façade pipes,” and only 9 of them are “speaking” pipes. The others are only for show. The remainder of the speaking pipes are found behind the façade pipes tucked away from view. We are truly blessed to have such a fine instrument leading our liturgies.