Music
St. Mary's Music Ministry
"For he who sings praise,
does not only praise,
but also praises joyfully;
he who sings praise,
not only sings,
but also loves Him
whom he is singing about."
St. Augustine
St Mary's Cathedral embodies a unique partnership between the Cathedral Parish and The Bishop's Seat in the Diocese of Colorado Springs. Together, we support a robust music ministry to serve both parish and episcopal liturgies by calling musicians of all levels to gather and grow in skills and faith. At the heart of this ministry is singing in support of our regular parish and diocesan liturgies. We, the earthly choir of Christ, lift our voices fearlessly, to join with the hosts of Heaven in the eternal song of praise to God our Father.
Contact
Valerie Niemerg
St. Mary's Musical Staff
Retired opera singer Valerie Niemerg received her Bachelors of Music from The Eastman School of Music in 1995 and her MM from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 2003. She enjoyed a lengthy singing career traveling around the United States and Europe, performing leading roles in opera and music theater. A life-long vocal pedagogue, Niemerg believes that everyone was made by God to sing, and that singing in prayer is not just the call of the few, but of all. She resides in Colorado Springs with her husband and two children and periodically presents her workshop series “The Divine Reed” to parish communities, teaching Catholics healthy, confident singing techniques. She is also the author of two published works of fiction.
Mi nombre es Francisco Mayo, Yo soy el director del coro de la misa de 12pm todos los Domingo.
Daniel Brink, organ/piano, is well known as a teacher, vocal coach, and collaborative artist throughout the Front Range of Colorado. He served on the artistic staff of the Colorado Opera Festival, and is currently musical director for Opera Theatre of the Rockies, also serving on the faculty of their Vocal Arts Festival since its inception. He has been a member of the music faculty at Colorado College since 1987. He has served the Diocese of Colorado Springs as Music Director at St. Mary’s (1977-1980), Divine Redeemer (1980-1989), St. Joseph, Southgate (1991-2016), and as organist at St. Mary’s again from 2016 to the present. He received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Southern Colorado and his Master of Music degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Evan Becker, native of Baltimore MD, has been playing the organ for services since 1965. In Colorado Springs he was organist of the First Lutheran Church, 1980-2012. Since retiring from First Lutheran, Evan continues active as an organist, currently serving St Mary's Cathedral and Resurrection Lutheran Church (LCMS).
The St. Mary’s Cathedral Choir
The St. Mary’s Cathedral Choir rehearses on Thursday evenings from 7-8:30pm, September - June. We minister at the 9am Sunday Mass each week with a warm-up call at 8:15. This choir prepares a weekly solo anthem with repertoire ranging from Palestrina to Hagenberg as well as Mass parts, antiphons and hymns in SATB arrangements whenever possible. The Cathedral choir is also responsible for all major feast celebrations such as Holy Week and Christmas.
Our Cathedral Choir is always happy to welcome new choristers. No experience is necessary. (See Free Singing Class Below). Choir members share a vibrant prayer life and strong community connection with multiple spiritual and social activities each year. Choir is an enriching and powerful ministry that will change your life. Contact Valerie Niemerg to be our guest at a rehearsal and see what all the singing is about!
Spanish Music Ministry
Nuestras practicas se llevan acabo todos los Miércoles a las 7pm. en la Iglesia. Siempre le damos la vienvenida a nuevos miembros que se quieran unir a nuestro coro, así que si tocas algún instrumento o te gusta cantarle al Señor, me puedes contactar a " chavohonda@yahoo.com o pueden acercarse a mi después de misa, "Recuerda que el que canta ora dos veces. San Agustín".
The Yankee Noodles
This traveling choir sings together once a month at local retirement communities and nursing homes, presenting a fun program of patriotic songs, stories and histories. All music is SATB with one brush-up rehearsal before each appearance. Come put on your red-white-and-blues and sing to cheer up some folks who probably know the songs better than we do!
Instrumentalists
St Mary’s loves to host volunteer instrumentalists to assist at our liturgies! If you play an instrument and would like to occasionally offer your services, please reach out to our Director of Music Ministries, Valerie Niemerg at vniemerg@stmaryscathedral.org
The Visiting Ministries
St. Mary’s Cathedral opens its doors to visiting ministries of all ages and missions, to lead the singing at a Cathedral Mass once or twice a year. Youth groups, schools, adult outreach ministries and others are encouraged to click here for more information.
Free Singing and Music Reading Class!
Can’t read music? Like to sing, but have no idea what you’re doing? This class is for you! Thursday evenings 6:15-6:55pm during the regular choir season, this FREE singing class is available to anyone regularly participating in the Cathedral Choir. Lessons will strengthen music reading, ear training and sight-singing skills, as well as in-depth vocal techniques for healthy, enjoyable, classical style singing. For more information, contact Valerie Niemerg at vniemerg@stmaryscathedral.org.
