Pastoral Musicians

"I wept at the beauty of your hymns, and I was powerfully moved at the sweet sound ...Those sounds flowed into my ears, and the truth streamed into my heart."

—St. Augustine, Confessions 9,6

As part of the Center for Worship & Spirituality, the Villanova Pastoral Musicians serve a vital role in ministering to the campus community. Through our efforts, we seek to inspire meditation on the beauty and mystery of God, as experienced through musical expression and worship. Our mission is achieved through the group’s primary responsibility: providing musical leadership for the University’s Sunday evening masses. In this setting, we lead congregational singing through traditional hymnody and modern song, and present the great works of the treasury of sacred music.

We seek to add delight to prayer, foster unity of minds, and confer greater solemnity upon the sacred rites. Achievement of these goals requires a level of excellence and commitment consistent with the high purpose to which the Church calls us. The Villanova Pastoral Musicians also serve the wider University and Church community through outreach initiatives and performance pilgrimages.

+-Vocalists

Singers, novice and advanced, are always welcome to join, and there are spots available in each voice section. The ability to read music is a welcome skill, but not required for membership. In fact, sight reading and other musical skills will likely improve during your time with us! Auditions are not required, but listening sessions are always offered.

Cantors lead congregational song and psalmists proclaim the responsorial psalm during the Liturgy of the Word. Participation in these roles is determined by audition.

+-Instrumentalists

Students who play an instrument are welcome to join the Pastoral Musicians. Because we are responsible for weekly liturgies, basic music-reading skills will help instrumentalists be most successful. Our group currently includes instruments from the string, woodwind, brass and percussion families. We work together as an ensemble to achieve the best sound, whether working with the singers or offering our own instrumental works.

Students who have intermediate/advanced piano/keyboard skills are welcome to assist with whole group rehearsals, sectionals, and ensemble leadership at the Sunday evening Masses. If you sight read well, have prior choral/instrumental accompaniment experience, these positions are certainly for you.

Students with advanced piano training will be offered the opportunity to accompany Sunday liturgies.

+-Become a Pastoral Musician

Thank you for considering membership in the Villanova Pastoral Musicians! Students who wish to participate are invited to come to any rehearsal for more information. Information can be obtained by contacting the Campus Minister for Liturgical Music, Sean McElwee.

Rehearsals are held Tuesdays from 5:30–7PM in the St. Thomas of Villanova Church and are mandatory for all members. Participation at one of the three Sunday evening Masses, to which members are specifically assigned, is also required.

A 30 minute rehearsal prior to each Mass is required.
Members are also expected to arrange their schedules to accommodate various special events (e.g., Orientation Mass, Parents' Weekend, Lessons & Carols, Baccalaureate Mass) which are announced with advanced notice during the academic year.

+-Caritas

About the Program

Caritas is a formational program for returning Pastoral Musicians. Caritas seeks to develop the spirit and skills of each Pastoral Musician, prepare repertoire for the school year, build relationships, and prepare and present music for the Orientation Liturgies and Closing Ceremony.

Returning students who have prior choral, band or orchestral experience, as well as any newcomers who want to begin their experience with this training program, are strongly encouraged to register. Students will

participate in skills workshops
receive repertoire training
participate in team-building activities
engage in leader formation
share in spiritual reflection
lead music for various Liturgies, including the Closing Ceremony of New Student Orientation
move into their rooms on the weekend before the rest of the student body

Getting Involved

To register, send an email to sean.mcelwee@villanova.edu. There is no fee, as all participants serve as student ministers to our community.

2022 Schedule

Campus arrival: Wednesday, August 17
Program conclusion: Tuesday, August 23

Sean McElwee
Campus Minister for Liturgical Music
sean.mcelwee@villanova.edu
Corr Hall, 1st Floor
(610) 519–7978

students lighting each other's candles at Mass

Liturgy Questions?

Contact Mathew Verghese.

Augustinian Vocations

Two Augustinian friars chatting and laughing

Are you or is someone you know discerning a call to be a religious priest or brother? Learn more about vocations to the Order of St. Augustine.