St. Augustine called music "the good gift of God." It is a gift that helps us to pray and praise God with heart, mind, body and soul. It combines our intellect and our emotions so that we can offer our whole selves in prayer, praise and service to our Creator. As members of the Body of Christ we gather in worship to break open the Word in the proclamation and preaching of Holy Scripture and to share in the sacred meal, the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Our shared song unites us with a common tune and harmony to give a sacramental expression of our unity in our Lord Jesus Christ.
God has made us with a voice to be used in his service. Music and all the arts are mediums of celebrating the creativity of God and returning thanks and praise for this most excellent of gifts.
St. Bruno's seeks to involve all parishioners and visitors in this song of prayer and praise. Our liturgies (masses) are the central gathering of our faith community. We all are called to sing our alleluias and hosannas in the acclamations of the assemblies. Choirs and instrumentalists function primarily to support the assembly's song. They sing a wide range of styles of sacred music to connect us both to our catholic tradition but also to respond to the psalmist's call to "sing a new song to the Lord."
We offer a parish choir that rehearses weekly and sings throughout the school year. Youth are given opportunities to sing in their own choir as well as combine in massed choirs. Strings, winds and percussion instruments regularly add to the organ and piano. A week long music camp for children is offered annually in late August with a professional CD recording. A major Christmas Eve concert is a highlight of the choral season.
Mark Gould, parish music director, holds a BA and Masters degree in music and pastoral theology. He has conducted choirs and bands internationally in addition to contributing regularly to the liturgical music repertoire through composition. Please contact him at gouldm@archmil.org or at the parish by phone, 262-965-2332
