"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song."

 

~Psalm 28:7

Our Choirs   St. Blase has a fully active Music Program encompassing a wide variety of music ministry. Parishioners of all ages may participate as singers and instrumentalists in the various ministries. Contact the Parish Office for more details at (586) 268-2244.

Voices in Praise (VIP) Choir
This is our traditional four-part (SATB) choir under the direction of Steve Petrunak. This choir welcomes members age 15 and above and rehearses on Thursday evenings from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.

Remnant Music Ministry (REM)
This is a contemporary ensemble consisting of a number of different instrumentalists and SATB singers under the direction of Steve Petrunak. This ministry also welcomes members ages 15 and above, and rehearses on Monday evening from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.

Cantor/ Accompanist Program
This ministry is for those solo singers/instrumentalists who demonstrate an ability to lead the assembly with their voice/instrument, and operates under the direction of Steve Petrunak. Cantor rehearsals occur once a month on Wednesday evenings at 7:00. Dates for these rehearsals are posted in the Music Library.

Childrens Music Ministries

As was recently announced, the Music Program of St. Blase is excited about the creation of a new program for Children's Music Ministry. Details about the program include:

Joyful Noise Children's Choir
Under the direction of Julie Shier, this choir is for all 1st and 2nd graders. Half-hour rehearsals are scheduled on TUESDAY evenings from 6:00-6:25 PM (unless otherwise noted) just before their faith formation sessions (no faith formation session, no rehearsal). Joyful Noise will sing 4 liturgies a year; one in October, Christmas Eve, one in February and Easter Sunday.

Sing Praise Children's Choir
Under the direction of Theresa White, this choir is for all 3rd, 4th & 5th graders. Sing Praise will sing six liturgies a year, including Christmas Eve and Easter Sunday with the Joyful Noise ministry. They will also sing two liturgies with the next older group Young Disciples ministry. Rehearsals are on TUESDAY evenings from 5:45-6:25 PM just before their faith formation session (again, no faith formation, no rehearsal).

Young Disciples Children's Choir
Under the direction of Theresa White, this choir is for all 6th, 7th & 8th graders. Young Disciples will sing 8-10 liturgies a year. They will often minister with both the Joyful Noise and the Teens Loving Christ ministries, including Christmas Eve and Easter. Young Disciples will rehearse one hour on WEDNESDAY evenings at 6:30 - 7:30 PM on the weeks when there is no faith formation scheduled.

Teens Loving Christ Ministry
Under the direction of Julie Shier, this choir is for all 9th - 12th graders. TLC will now only include Grades 9-12 (unless you are already in the group and have moved up to 8th Grade) and their one-hour rehearsals will be WEDNESDAY evenings at 7:00 -8:00 PM.

Each ministry will kick-off with rehearsals beginning at the end of September. Please be sure to include your child(ren) in these wonderful Children's Music Ministries!!

Music Notes

If you've ever given any thought at all to joining one of the music ministries here at St. Blase, now is the time! People from the community sharing their musical gifts are what make this Music Program so effective. Let me also say that every one of the music ministries at St. Blase is AWESOME - not because of the great music they provide (although each ministry does a great job) but because the members of each ministry are so wonderful! Each music ministry experiences a great deal of camaraderie and fun!

The group of musicians and singers that make up the Music Program are extremely committed and freely give of their time and talent so that our sung prayer at liturgy can be more complete. If you are interested in joining a music ministry, please contact me at the office (586) 268-2244 or email me at steve.petrunak@stblase.org. if you have marked the music ministry section of the time and talent form, expect to receive a call from us in the next two weeks.

Steve Petrunak, Director of Music

Check out Steve's column "Music Notes" in The Flame bulletin...

Stephen Petrunak, Director Of Music Email - steve.petrunak@stblase.org
Stephen Petrunak is the Director of Music at St. Blase Catholic Church. Stephen, a trained classical and jazz guitarist, has been involved in music ministry at St. Blase for over 30 years, having started as a teen playing in the 9:30 Folk Group. In July of 1994, Stephen became the Director of Music for the parish. St. Blase has a well-developed Music Program which includes five different music ministries, several accompanists, many talented cantors and over 150 ministering members. Stephen directs two of the music ministries within the Program the long-standing Remnant Music Ministry (a contemporary ensemble) and the Voices in Praise Choir (a 50 voice traditional choir). Reflections of Christ (another contemporary ensemble), Teens Loving Christ (a teen music ministry) and Kingdom Chorus (a children's choir) utilize other directors which Stephen oversees. The vision of music ministry at St. Blase includes the fullest sharing of gifts and talents of members of all ages from within the community. We strongly believe that the sung prayer belongs first and foremost to the community, and participation by all worshipping members is of greatest importance. The mentoring of youth in music ministry is also of highest priority.

Steve Petrunak was one of the nominees for the 2009 GMA Dove Award’s Instrumental Album of the Year for his collection "Love beyond All Measure".