Music Ministry

Our Traditional Parish Choir consists of numerous voices singing 4-part harmony, leading the assembly in song with everything from traditional hymnody to Gregorian chant accompanied by the organ along with various classical stringed and wind instruments. Participation in the choir requires singers to match pitch with the ability to blend vocally with other voices. The ability to read music is a plus for vocalists, but not a necessity. Anyone with a servant’s heart who wants to offer their talents to the parish is encouraged to join. The choir is open to anyone in high school or up.

Masses: Sunday 8:30 AM Principal Mass, Principal Masses for Solemnities

Rehearsal: 1 Hour before Mass on Sunday 
- for Major Solemnities, Feasts, and most liturgical seasons: during the week as determined by the Music Coordinator

Contact: Lance Samson / (979) 485-8147 ext. 175 / music@stabcs.org

Our Modern Parish Choir consists of numerous voices singing 2-3-part harmony, leading the assembly in song with a blend of traditional hymns to modern worship music accompanied by the organ, piano, acoustic guitar, and various string & wind instruments. Participation in the choir requires singers to match pitch with the ability to blend vocally with other voices. The ability to read music is a plus for vocalists, but not a necessity. However, instrumentalists are required to read lead sheets. Anyone with a servant’s heart who wants to offer their talents to the parish is encouraged to join. The choir is open to anyone in middle school or up.

Masses: Saturday 5:30 PM / Sunday 11:00 AM; morning and afternoon Masses on Solemnities

Rehearsal: 1 Hour before each liturgy Saturday and Sunday
 -for Major Solemnities, Feasts, and most liturgical seasons: during the week as determined by the Music Coordinator

Contact: Lance Samson / (979) 485-8147 ext. 175 / music@stabcs.org

Our Contemporary Ensemble consists of numerous voices singing 2-3-part harmony, leading the assembly in song with modern arrangements of traditional hymns to modern praise & worship music accompanied by piano, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar, strings, and percussion. Participation in the choir requires singers to match pitch with the ability to blend vocally with other voices. All members are expected to attend a warm-up before their assigned Mass. The ability to read music is a plus for vocalists, but not a necessity. However, instrumentalists are required to read lead sheets. We encourage teens and young adults who desire to use their talents to glorify God in sung prayer to join us. The ensemble is open to anyone in middle school or higher.

Mass: Sunday 4:30 PM
Rehearsal: Sundays 3:00 – 4:30 PM

Contact: Mary Joy Kocmoud / mjkocmoud@gmail.com

Our Children’s Choir will offer the elementary-aged children in our parish the opportunity to become active, sharing members of St. Thomas Aquinas and the community around us by leading the assembly in song at Mass. Learning to share our time and talents with those around us starts very early. Children with a love for music in grades 2-6 are encouraged to join for an opportunity to develop their musical talents to serve Christ and the people of our parish while learning more about their faith. No formal knowledge of music is needed, but the child must be able to read the text well.

Contacts: Lance Samson / (979) 485-8147 ext. 175 / music@stabcs.org
                  Alyssa VanDyke / alyv2000@gmail.com

Rehearsal: Some Sundays at 2:00 p.m. or during the week (2-3 rehearsals before a Mass)

Masses: Sunday 11:00 AM (Once a Month during the School Year)
Planned Dates for 2023-2024 below

Psalmists and cantors play an integral role within the liturgy. The goal is not to deliver a musical performance but to lead and sustain the congregation in sung prayer by enhancing the Word of God and proclaiming the Psalms from the ambo. Qualifications include basic music reading skills, the ability to maintain pitch and tempo, sing with clear diction and possess the ability to inspire the congregation to sing. Spiritual and musical preparation is essential to fulfilling this ministry effectively. Psalmists are open to anyone in high school or up. A prerequisite is to be in one choir and auditions are required.

Masses: All
Rehearsal: As needed
Contact: Lance Samson / (979) 485-8147 ext. 175 / music@stabcs.org

Instrumentalists play a critical role in accompanying sung prayer during Mass. Keyboard instruments such as the organ and piano are the instrumental foundation for all ensembles. All other instruments including, but not limited to, the flute, violin, cello, oboe, clarinet, trumpet, and percussion are used as supplemental instrumentation for our worship ensembles. Qualified instrumentalists need to possess basic music reading skills, the ability to maintain pitch and tempo with an ensemble or a soloist.

Masses: All
Rehearsal: As needed with and without Choirs
Contact: Lance Samson / (979) 485-8147 ext. 175 / music@stabcs.org

Our Resurrection Choir consists of numerous voices singing 2-4-part harmony, providing vocal and spiritual support to parish families at the time of their greatest need as they grieve the loss of a loved one during a funeral service. The commitment is minimal with just one monthly rehearsal occurring during the day. Members are notified when a funeral Mass is scheduled and attend as often as their schedules permit. Participation in the choir requires singers to match pitch with the ability to blend vocally with other voices. All members are expected to attend a rehearsal prior to the funeral service in order to participate.  The ability to read music is a plus, but not a necessity. Join now to participate in this great corporal work of mercy while sharing your musical gifts with the community. No auditions are necessary.

Masses: Funerals
Rehearsal: Schedule coming soon

Contact: Lance Samson / (979) 485-8147 ext. 175 / music@stabcs.org

Our ADORE Ensemble consists of a select group of musicians leading the assembly in praise and worship of our Lord during Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Accompanied by piano, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar, strings, and percussion. Participation requires singers to match pitch with the ability to blend vocally with other voices. All members are expected to attend rehearsals and a warm-up before services. The ability to read music is a plus for vocalists, but not a necessity. However, instrumentalists are required to read lead sheets. We encourage high school students and young adults who desire to use their talents to glorify God in sung prayer to join us. Auditions are required.

Contact: Beau Paradowski / beau.paradowski@gmail.com