Where to find chant singers

Louisa1000

Hi, we go to a fairly modern parish that regularly sings Matt maher songs, with guitars, drums, you get the picture. But that kind of music only sounds good when people participate, preferably in large numbers, and as my whole family is Mormon, I don't see that happening. So we thought chant or something more traditional would be nice. But where do I find singers? I have no idea where to look. Any ideas? I live in Phoenix.

ootmother2

Did you try asking on the Phoenix board?

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GL

agapecarrie

I play the matt maher stuff all the time at weddings, and most of the time people don't participate, it sounds fine.  

But if you prefer chant, do you try to go to the other masses at that parish? Sometimes the Maher stuff is particular at the youth mass.

Other suggestions: the cathedral, or seminarians. You can contact the music director for the diocese and ask them.

bibliophile2010

I have a guess as to what parish you go to, but that's just me being inquisitive.

I would talk to your music director. The music director community is pretty small and s/he would have a good idea of, at the least, who you can talk to to find what you're looking for. S/he also plays at weddings and funerals (with lower Catholic attendance) regularly and can most likely recommend the music/type of music that works best in those situations. And I guarantee that the Mormon issue is not uncommon, especially in Arizona.

I don't know how many Catholic girls (generally, not from the CW board specifically) lurk around the Phoenix board (most people --myself included -- show up to talk dresses and venues and then disappear until they post pics), but it's certainly worth a shot.

Louisa1000

Thanks, I'm sure you're right. I'll start with my music director.

caitriona87

Just thought I'd throw out one other idea...we had chant/polyphany and we got our singers from the University of Florida music school...not sure how many/what size/if you have any contacts as far as the schools near you, but it might be worth a try.

doctabroccoli

Ditto PPs.  I would check with your music director! 

Also, we had only about 1/3 Catholic attendance at our wedding, and we sang modern songs from the Gather book with only a pianist, a violinist, a guitarist, and two cantors.  We requested that we would love it for our guests to try their best to sing along (in the program - however, the priest also requested it for us after mass started).  And you know what?  They did.  And I have quite a few pictures of everyone standing with their books open singing.  A simple request can go a long way .

Hope61

Ditto-check with music director.

If that doesn't work, start with the organist (if there's an organ at the church, of course). Once you find a good organist to do your wedding, they probably know of some voices who can sing with them. Thats what I did, since I'm out of town and the choir at the church doesn't do chant. HTH!

Louisa1000

Thanks for all the good advice! Talked with our music director and he's actually quite excited to help us put together a more traditional selection of sacred music. There's apparently a great website full of free resources called corpus Christi watershed. I'm so excited!