Funeral Music Selections
Welcome to SK Music Ministry! We’re here to assist you in selecting your musical selections.
Music in the liturgy
Music is an integral part of any celebration. One of the basic principles that should be applied when selecting pieces is whether the music is deemed liturgical. Both popular and secular music are not appropriate in the liturgy. For the funeral mass or memorial mass, you will need to ensure that the emphasis is on sacred music, which derives its inspiration and context from both scriptural and liturgical sources with the sole purpose of enhancing the funeral rites being celebrated. Therefore, music serves as an asset to those present to express their faith.
Pre-Recorded Music
Any liturgy is an encounter between God and us as the children of God, created in his own image and likeness. Because of this, pre-recorded music is NOT permitted during the liturgy but it may be used at a reception.
Accompanist & principal musician
A staff accompanist is provided for all funerals and memorial masses. He or she bears the responsibility of ensuring the proper performance and timing of the musical portions of the liturgy. Additional musicians may be provided through SK Music Ministry at the request of the family.
Note that extra fees will apply for each additional musician hired and are subject to availability.
Cantor/Vocalist
An experienced SK Cantor will serve in this capacity at funerals. They are familiar with both the church’s regular worship life and the parish’s mission in terms of liturgy and music. They also help guarantee that the service will go smoothly as the celebrant, cantor and accompanist are accustomed to working with each other. Additional singers may be provided through SK Music Ministry at the request of the family. Note that extra fees will apply for each additional vocalist hired and are subject to availability.
The cantor leads the congregation in singing and sings the Responsorial Psalm. The cantor is also the vocal soloist, singing appropriate solos that have been selected for the funeral. Your cooperation in not requesting exceptions to this will be greatly appreciated.
OUTSIDE MUSICIANS
All of our cantors and musicians are trained, competent leaders who know the layout of St. Kilian and what is expected during a Funeral Mass. They will be the priority musicians used during the liturgy.
If outside musicians are requested, they must meet the following criteria:
Trained vocalist/instrumentalist who has experience within the Catholic liturgy.
Consolation meeting (i.e. email) with the SK Music Minister leadership in order to assess one’s abilities in the event that a staff SKMM member is not present.
Coordination with staff accompanist prior to the funeral mass. Please note that there is not a separate rehearsal for funeral mass. It is expected that the visiting cantor/instrumentalist arrive 30 minutes prior to the start of the mass to run logistics (i.e. musical roadmap, tempi, etc.).
When a visiting cantor/instrumentalist is used in conjunction with a staff SKMM member, they will receive the music via email to ensure that both will in concord with one another since they will be collaborators.
When choosing your music selections, please click on the button “Funeral Music Samples” and this will give you an audio sampling of all the pieces you may choose from. If you have any questions, please include them in the “Additional Information” box at the bottom of the form.
Funeral Music Form
CANTORS & MUSICIANS
