St. Mary Church Music Ministry
The Music Ministry of St. Mary Church consists of an adult choir, a youth choir, and a children's choir, and is led by Muriel Maharidge, who has been a parishioner at St. Mary’s since 2010 and holds a Doctorate in Choral Conducting. Muriel also serves as St. Mary’s principal cantor. Our principal organist is Laura Intravia, who started working with us in the Fall of 2022.
For more details regarding the purpose of music ministry within the Church, please visit the St. Mary Church Music Ministry page HERE. Membership requirements and and rehearsals schedules may be found below.
The beauty and the dignity of the liturgy is at the core of our work. In his apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, His Holiness Pope Francis states that “Every expression of true beauty can […] be acknowledged as a path leading to an encounter with the Lord Jesus” and encourages us to have “a renewed esteem for beauty as a means of touching the human heart and enabling the truth and goodness of the Risen Christ to radiate within it” (#167)
ADULT MIXED CHOIR / MALE SCHOLA
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Membership: The choir is open to all. Rather than an audition, membership is confirmed after a simple trial period. We strive to keep sections balanced with each other (ideally, 4 to 6 singers on each part) and are at the time in special need of bass singers (low male voices).
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Regular rehearsal time: Wednesday 6:15 - 7:30 PM (occasionally later when the season demands it)
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YOUTH CHOIR
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Membership: Ladies ages 12 and up. Young adults are also welcome. Junior members as young as 10 may be admitted based on readiness. Note that boys whose voice has changed are welcome to inquire about the adult choir.
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Regular rehearsal time: Wednesday 4:45 - 6 PM
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CHILDREN'S CHOIR
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Membership: Singers are welcome even at a very young age, based on readiness. (The youngest singers usually feel more confident on a parent’s lap). Between ages 10 and 12, singers may transition to the Youth Choir, but alumni are always welcome to stay and help!
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Regular rehearsal time: selected Sundays 9:30 - 10:15 AM, or as announced (at first, rehearsals might be shorter) - The frequency of rehearsal varies through the year. All rehearsals are open to the presence of parents and siblings, but we please ask for everyone’s help in keeping our work environment as quiet as possible.
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CONTACT INFORMATION
For more information about getting involved, please contact Dr. Muriel Maharidge, Music Director at St. Mary Church, at mmaharidge@newhavencatholic.org or contact the St. Mary Office at (203) 562-6193 or stmary@newhavencatholic.org.