Cantors, Instrumentalists, & Choristers!!

The Office for Divine Worship Music Department is reorganizing with YOU in mind!  The Volunteer Music Staff have begun reaching out to Where you are at.  All musicians in all Vicariates will be able to gather near their work place to pray, attend workshops, voice their opinions, network with others 'close to home', instead of traveling sometimes an hour or more to get to a workshop or reading session.

How will this work?  It's easy!  At end of this article, you will find a form.  Fill out the form and send it completed back to ODW.  Our Music Staff will contact you with what's next!  The key, however, is that you give us your contact information, the way it works best for you!  We are able to communicate with you via 'snail-mail', E-Mail, our ODW website, phone calls, fax or in person at our get-togethers.

What are these get-togethers?  Perhaps, some of you are familiar with this already. Three or four times annually, several Music Staff members, who are assigned to work in Your Vicariate, will call the meetings.  Generally, there are presentations of what's topical in Music and Liturgy, and a chance to socialize, an opportunity to network (get subs and ask others their opinions), a chance to share music with one another, and to ask for programs on-site in your area, based on Your Needs.

More and more musicians have told us that they might need a program we offer, but can't possibly get to it because of time or travel considerations.  Many have also asked if we might come to them, or possibly have two or three parishes share a program or workshop together.

The Music Department has been asked about offering a basic guitar course, cantor programs tailored specifically to a particular parish, a one or two night choral workshop that is on-site, as well as having a program on issues relating to employment and personnel practices in the Archdiocese.  With this organization based in YOUR area, and often using the great talents in YOUR area, we can become closer to you and offer what you might need.

Several Vicariates have already begun meeting and the results are promising.  Here are some of the things happening: Vicariate level Choral Reading Sessions, Vicariate Cantor Conference, Composers sharing their music, Basic Skills classes in Spanish, etc. The possibilities are immense.

Here's how to get in on this:

  • Fill in the form (printing please) and tell us what Vicariate and Parish you are in, noting how we might most directly contact you personally.
  • Send it to ODW at odwchi@odw.org.
  • Watch for news of when your Vicariate is meeting!

One last thought: This is also a great way for ODW to get the word out on upcoming Archdiocesan-wide programming.

Please sign up and tell your musician friends to sign up as well.  Get on board and start getting both the news and staying in the loop! 

If you need more information, please contact Anna Belle O'Shea, ODW Director of Music,  at:

Office for Divine Worship
Cardinal Meyer Center

3525 S. Lake Park Ave
Chicago, Illinois 60653-1402
(312) 534-5153
odwchi@odw.org.

MUSICIAN INTEREST FORM:  (Please print)

Name: ______________________________
Mailing address: ___________________________
City and State: ____________________________
Zip Code: _____________________
Phone you can be reached at during

  • daytime: ______________________
  • night: ________________________
Fax: __________________________
E-Mail: _________________________

Name of Parish: __________________________
Address of Parish: ________________________
City, State, Zip: __________________________

Please circle one: Vicariate: I   II   III   IV   V   VI

Do you prefer day time get-togethers? ______
Do you prefer evening get-togethers? ______
What is the work you do in the parish: ______________
____________________________________________


Thank you and God bless you!