Music and Catholic Worship

St. Augustine said, “He who sings, prays twice.” The Bible refers to Jesus and the apostles singing a hymn while they were together. The Apostle Paul called the Church in the city of Ephesus to “sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and make music to the Lord in your hearts.” This is why we say that music is an “exalted form of prayer.”

At the Church of the Epiphany, everyone in the congregation is a part of our ministry of music. As we lift our voices in song during the Mass, we call ourselves together as a community of faith, praising God, and participating fully in the mysteries of our religion.

Special Vocations in Music Ministry

The Apostle Paul once compared the Church to a body, with different parts having different roles, while remaining part of the One Body of Christ. So it is with our music ministries at Epiphany. We have various vocations that parishioners can share in. These are the vocations of cantor, of being a member of one of our choirs, playing an instrument.

Contemporary Choir

The Contemporary Choir sings at the Saturday 5:30 pm Mass and is accompanied by various instruments. Generally, each Saturday they have acoustic guitars, electric bass, piano, and some small percussion. Occasionally they add cello, string bass, trap set/drum kit, and congas. They offer a lively, contemporary interpretation of the hymns of Catholic worship. The Contemporary Choir practices before each Mass at 4:30 pm, and at other times (often Sunday evenings at 5:00 pm) when getting ready for Christmas and Easter.

Three Kings Choir

This choir sings at the 10:00 am Mass, Christmas, the Triduum of Holy Week, and Easter. This is a group of about 35 choristers, and dates back to the founding of the parish, with some members having sung in the choir for our entire history as a parish. The choir sings a broad repertoire ranging from Gregorian and Anglican chant to Southern Gospel, Renaissance polyphony, and modern choral music. The choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. No audition is required. Just show up!

The Cantor Guild of St. Gabriel

The ministry of Cantor is to lead the assembly in worship, and particularly to proclaim the Psalm at each Mass. Cantors are needed for the 8:00 am, 10:00 am, and 12:30 pm masses. An audition is required and cantors must be able to read music. All cantors of the parish are considered to be a member of “the Cantor Guild of St. Gabriel,” who proclaimed the good news to Mary and has traditionally been considered the Herald of the Gospel.

Carl Brandt Memorial Pipe Organ

The parish Organ is one of the oldest organs in the state of Oklahoma. It was originally built in 1865 in a church in Watertown, NY, and has outlasted two church buildings before being installed at Epiphany in 1984. It has 27 ranks of pipes and is all mechanical inside, except that in the 20th century, with the advent of electricity, the hand pump bellows were removed and an electric fan was installed to pressurize the wind chest.

Yamaha Conservatory Grand Piano

The piano in the church is a Yamaha conservatory grand that was purchased in the 1990s. It is a fine instrument that proclaims the glories of God with every note.

Joining the Epiphany Music Ministry

Everyone joins the music ministry when you sing the music at the Mass. It doesn't matter if you think you can't sing, or someone once told you can't sing. Everyone can sing at Mass, and all the diverse voices blend together in one tremendous song of praise to the Trinity.
   If you would like to try serving in one of the special vocations within the pastoral music ministry of the parish, contact, Office of Music, at 405-722-2110 ext. 115.