Ensembles

Cantors are not soloists but singers who proclaim God’s word in songs such as the psalm and Gospel acclamations and lead the sung texts when no choir is present.  Cantors should possess a pleasant, clear, and accurate voice.  Audition and rehearsals are scheduled individually.

Please contact Carina Brackin to set up an audition! 

Choral Scholar Job Description 2022-2023
Saint Bede Catholic Church
Williamsburg, VA

Choral Scholars are positions on staff at Saint Bede Catholic Church. It is given to a degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate student in a department or school of music, following a successful audition. Alternatively, the position may be given to a degree-seeking college student in a non-music discipline or a non-degree-seeking adult, dependent upon demonstrable choral training and singing ability. Choral Scholars are compensated to sing in the Saint Bede choirs, lead responsorial singing and service music, cantor masses, and on rare occasions to lead a sectional rehearsal. They function as section leaders within the choirs, and cantor liturgies.

SAINT CECILIA CHOIR
The 12-16 voice auditioned Saint Cecilia Choir sings Latin and English a cappella music to the best of modern choral music . This choir requires strong confidence in singing a voice part, yet maintaining a group blend. This choir sings alternately at the Sunday 8:30am and 11am Mass every week. Rehearsals are on Thursdays 7:00-9:00pm.

SAINT GREGORY CHOIR
The 20-30 voice non-auditioned Saint Gregory Choir sings unison and two-part literature with occasional SAB voicing. This choir sings at the Saturday 5:30pm Mass every other week. Rehearsals are on Thursdays 3:00pm-4:30pm.
Solo singing and Cantor opportunities
Occasional choral programming affords voice students opportunities for solo singing. Voice students who are preparing sacred solo repertoire for degree recitals, may perform such works for Mass at an appropriate time. Dependent on their availability, the scholar may be asked serve as cantor occasionally at a Mass when no choir is present. Lastly, Choral Scholars may be asked to lead responsorial psalm singing or other service music for Masses with choirs.

Qualifications
1) Trained voice with knowledge of healthy singing
2) High level of musicianship and skill
3) Good communication skills
4) Dependable leadership skills
Schedule and Time Commitment

Choral Scholars work with and report directly to the Director of Liturgy and Music. Choral Scholars are required to attend all regularly scheduled rehearsals and liturgies during the academic year excluding formally scheduled school breaks as follows:
Thursday evenings depending on level of choir participation: 3:00–4:30 pm (Saint Gregory) and/or 7:00- 9:00 pm (Saint Cecilia)
Saturday evenings and/or Sunday mornings depending on level of choir participation.
Call time is 30 minutes prior to each liturgy.

The Choral Scholar positions are given during or prior to the academic year. Positions may be renewed for successive semesters if both the Choral Scholar and the Director of Liturgy and Music mutually agree.

Compensation
Starting salary for Choral Scholars is $20.00 per hour paid every two weeks. Average hours per week range from 2.75 hours - 6.5 hours depending on level of participation (One choir or both). Special liturgies are in addition.

Application
To apply to hold the position of a Saint Bede Choral Scholar, please forward information regarding your choral/vocal experience. Information and/or questions about the position may be forwarded to:

Aaron Renninger, MSM arenninger@bedeva.org
Director of Liturgy and Music 757-229-7723
Saint Bede Catholic Church
3686 Ironbound Road
Williamsburg, VA 23188

Carina Brackin cbrackin@bedeva.org
Associate Director of Music 757-229-3631
Saint Bede Catholic Church
3686 Ironbound Road
Williamsburg, VA 23188
 

This auditioned ensemble leads the music year round at the 5pm Sunday Mass.  It is opened to singers and instrumentalists 9th grade through adult.  Rehearsals are on Wednesdays 5:30pm -7:00pm in the church undercroft.

Please contact the Contemporary Ensemble Coordinator John Hopke for more information. 

This choir is part of our Spanish Mass and accompanies all Spanish liturgies from September through June.  Rehearsals are bilingual and are on Sundays at 1:15pm before the 2pm mass. 

Please contact director Carina Brackin for more information. 

Instrumentalists are used at Masses to enhance the musical song of the Church.  Audition, rehearsals, and Masses are scheduled individually.

Please contact Carina Brackin to  set up an audition!

The Saint Cecilia Choir, named for the patron saint of music, is open to all voices grade 11 or older.  The music sang ranges in style from Gregorian chant to the best of modern choral literature.  This vested choir sings every Sunday alternating between the 8:30am and 11am Masses from September to early June.  Rehearsals are Thursdays 6-8pm in the church nave and warm-up on Sunday mornings in the church  undercroft. 

Please contact Director of Music Aaron Renninger for more information. 

               

The newly formed Saint Dunstan Ringers, named after the patron saint of Handbell Ringers, is open to highschool students, college students, and adults. This vested choir rings our four octaves of Malmark handbells and four octaves of handchimes. The ringers rehearse on Thursdays 4:30pm - 6:00pm and play at the Sunday 8:30am Mass which is live-streamed every other week September through early June. This group will focus on level 2 and level 3 music and ring the service music of the mass. Prior musical experience is preferred.

Please contact director  Carina Brackin for more information!