MUSIC MINISTRIES AT SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL

The Cathedral Choir supports congregational singing, providing leadership and appropriate embellishment to enhance the collective voices of the community. Occasionally, the choir performs its ministry by singing alone, providing music for contemplation, inspiration, or edification within the liturgy itself for themselves and the entire gathered assembly. 

The Cathedral Choir sings September through May at three Masses each month. Rehearsals are every Tuesday from 6:30-7:30 pm, with a few exceptions. The Cathedral Choir also provides music for special liturgies throughout the year, including Christmas, the Paschal Triduum, celebrations of particular sacraments, and other special occasions. The choir also forms the core of the Diocesan choir, joined by other musicians around the Diocese of Davenport for special liturgies, such as Rite of Election, the Chrism Mass, and ordinations. Singers aged 15 and up are all welcome! 

Cantors are strong singers who facilitate the assembly’s music during the liturgy. They also fill the role of the psalmist, engaging in sung dialog with the voice of the assembly, and facilitating our shared outward participation. The cantor does not replace or represent the assembly, but supports them as needed on less familiar elements or in dialog with the assembly. Cantors must undergo an informal audition to demonstrate their musical leadership skills before beginning this ministry. 

Organists/Pianists are members of a time-honored ministry within the Church’s musical life, leading and sustaining the singing of the assembly. Training and skill enable the keyboardists to  improvise as needed to support a liturgical or ritual action, as well as to balance leading the assembly without drowning the community’s voice. They serve at the Saturday 4pm Mass and Sunday 9am Mass. 

If you are interested in any of our music ministries, please contact the parish office or our directors (information below). 

Colleen Darland, MA
Director of Music and Liturgy
davsacredheartmusic@diodav.org 

Dr. Trevor Loes, DMA
Choir Director
trevor.loes@assumptionhigh.org