COURTESY PHOTO

Young people sing in the choir during the closing liturgy at Laudate.

Young musicians focus on music ministry, liturgy at Laudate

By David Eck

DAYTON DEANERY — Armed with guitars, horns and other instruments, along with their own melodic voices, about 60 teen-agers came to Bergamo Center recently for the annual Laudate, an archdiocesan music ministry workshop.

The 4-day workshop was for youths in grades 8-12 who are active in music. The students worked with a staff of professional music teachers who helped them understand what it means to be active in music ministry and develop their skills, said Karen Kane, director of the archdiocesan Worship Office.

"We’re hoping to train these young people in music ministry, and perhaps some of them will become professional church musicians," Kane said. "Our primary goal is to form young people in music ministry so that they can participate in liturgical ministry or music ministry in their parishes."

While training with musical instruments is part of the Laudate experience, the week includes plenty of choral singing, Catholic services, socialization and a liturgical aspect. This year, Laudate focused on the liturgical year.

During Laudate, participants celebrated Lituurgy of the Hours daily, Eucharist on the last night and a Taize Prayer — a nighttime prayer by candlelight that is sung — on one evening.

Laudate gives the young people a rich experience of the church prayer, Kane said. The services also give the youths hands-on experience in music ministry.

"The musical education was one component of it," Kane said. "The whole week was composed of musical skills building, formation in the liturgy (and) choral experience.

"This is a place where they can really experience their faith in God and be among peers who do the same," Kane said. "It becomes a very supportive and accepting environment for these young people to learn about music ministry."

Now in its third year, Laudate is intended to encourage young musicians to participate in music ministry and serve as a mentoring program to them, said Brian Bisig, director of music and liturgy at St. Michael’s Church in Sharonville, and co-chair of the core team for Laudate.

Most music ministers got involved in the ministry because someone invited or encouraged them. Laudate is designed to continue that.

"We definitely wanted to keep that going and foster that in other young people and invite them," Bisig said. "Hopefully we’re laying the groundwork for a lifetime of being involved in music ministry."

The archdiocesan offices of Worship and Youth and Young Adult Ministry co-sponsor the event. It is advertised through pastors and youth and music ministers.

Several core team members also helped with the event including co-chair Jeremy Helmes of St. Bartholomew Parish, Mary Bellman of St. Columban Parish, Matthew Phelps of St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parish, Elise Wahle of St. Christopher Parish in Vandalia, Tim McManus of St. Vivian Parish, Father Geoff Drew of St. Rita Parish in Dayton and Bob Wurzelbacher of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry
The event appeals to both instrumentalists and vocalists.

Justin Guenther, a parishioner at St. Patrick Parish in Bellefontaine and a senior at Bellefontaine High, attended Laudate for the second time.

"They put a very strong emphasis on music," Guenther said. "That’s foremost what they are looking at, but there’s always an element of faith behind it."

Guenther plays cello, violin and guitar, and is a cantor and lector at St. Patrick. He participates in a folk group at the church and occasionally works with the pianist and organist.

Laudate helped him hone his skills in music ministry, he said.

"I also learned how I can use those . . . skills to improve the music experience at our church." Guenther said. "I see music as being very much a potential career for me. I always believe that I will be engaged in the music ministry."

Maria Russo, who recently graduated from Mount Notre Dame High School, has been active in the music program at St. James of the Valley Parish in Wyoming for several years. She attended Laudate the last two years.

"I thought it would be something that would be helpful for me," Russo said. "As a music minister you have to remember that it’s not a performance. It’s helping people praise God. With this instruction it keeps reminding you of that."