Music
Overall, the music at St. Ann leans to the more contemporary side, but traditional hymns and texts are treasured as well.
Assembly singing is the primary goal, which determines virtually all song selections as well as the key in which they are sung/played.
Ensembles range from a full band to a single piano and vocalist.
Join the Music Ministry
If you are interested in joining as a singer or instrumentalist, please contact Ed Bolduc to set up an appointment. After a simple audition, a discussion will follow to determine how you might be able to contribute to the weekend liturgies. Singers do not need to be able to read music. Guitarists should be comfortable reading chords. Pianists must be able to read some keyboard scores.
Ensembles
Chorale: An auditioned choir that sings at special events and liturgies.
10:30 Choir: Open to all. A basic skill assessment, however, is required. The choir sings for the 10:30am Mass on Sundays. Rehearsal is Sunday at 10:00am. Music and rehearsal files are made available online.
Lifting our voices: Music ministry makes a joyful noise
While you’re still rousing the kids from bed or figuring out what to wear, St. Ann’s Music Ministry is days into the planning the liturgy you’re about to attend. Ed Bolduc and his musical cohorts are on a mission to encourage a singing and praying assembly.
“When Mary appeared to the children at La Salette, she encouraged them to ‘pray well,’ ” said Bolduc, a parish employee for more than 30 years. “We try to do that with our music at every liturgy.”
From the popular Christmas sing-along to the must-hear band at Life Teen Masses, music at St. Ann’s underscores so much of what we do. Each week, the Music Ministry looks at the readings and considers which songs would help bring the scripture to life. There are a lot of factors to consider: How often have we done a song? Is it too difficult? Is it too new?
“We often use the ‘simple, scriptural and sing-able’ rule,” Bolduc said. “The songs and hymns need to serve the liturgy, but also inspire the singing assembly.”
Longtime ministry members relish the work they do because it gives them an opportunity to share the gifts God gave them. Three decades ago, Rick Rhodes was drawn into the ministry.
“The church hired this long-haired, Richard Marx-looking piano boy named Ed Bolduc. I was immediately impressed with his music, his style, his devotion, his faith and his leadership,” Rhodes said. “I watched in awe as Ed would continuously find the most creative ways of linking the music with the liturgy for that week.”
