Performing Ensembles

If you’re interested in being a part of the Music Ministry at St. Francis Xavier, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Director of Music Ministries:  John Uehlein (juehlein@sfxavier.org or 646-573-0099)

Please visit the Parish YouTube channel at SFX Church YouTube Channel and visit Virtual Choir Playlist for our Choir videos.

BELL CHOIR

Now in our 18th year, the Bell Choir/Campanologists have grown from one octave with four ringers to more than four octaves with 11 ringers. Last fall we augmented our range with one additional bell and three additional chimes and this spring we are augmenting with two additional bells. So the choir continues to grow in size, grace and beauty. But better than that, this group of ringers forms a tight knit community of music loving contact sport fun and frolic.

We rehearse Mondays 6:15-8:15 and play for the Advent/Christmas Seasons and for Holy Week/Easter season through Pentecost.

Find out more by contacting Director of Music Ministries John Uehlein at (646-573-0099) or juehlein@sfxavier.org

THE XAVIER CHOIR

This community of 20 – 40 singers has had a rich history spanning three musical directors starting with Michael Ward in the 1980’s, Laurence Rosania in the 1990’s and John Uehlein since 2000. Singing a wide range of different styles including classical, contemporary, Gregorian and gospel, the choir is primarily a liturgical choir that gathers for Sunday morning worship, but it does present concerts from time to time, usually with social justice or liturgical themes.  Past presentations include: “A Lenten Journey,” “Lessons and Song for Peace,” “Songs for the Earth 1,” “Songs for the Earth 2,” “A 100th Mary Lou Williams Birthday,” and of course, our annual “Christmas Lessons and Carols: Sharing the Joy!”   

The Xavier Choir meets virtually on zoom Thursday evenings for rehearsal from 7:00pm – 8:30pm. We prepare music for the Xavier Virtual Recording Project for use in live-streamed liturgies as well as virtual concerts and all major Holy Days, Christmas and Easter.

We are looking for members in all categories: soprano, alto, tenor and bass

Find out more by contacting Director of Music Ministries John Uehlein at (646-573-0099) or juehlein@sfxavier.org

Xavier Players

XAVIER PLAYERS AND SCHOLA

This group of musicians provides music for our Sunday 5PM liturgy which tends to be our Young Adult Mass but which caters to all generations. The Assistant Director of Music rehearses the singers/schola in the music room while the Director of Music rehearses the instruments in the church. We are particularly interested in recruiting men and women for the schola at the present time. And currently, we are working with Mandolin, Violin (bass and guitar), flute and cello in the Xavier Players. More instrumentalists are always welcome.

The Xavier Schola is on hiatus for Sunday afternoons, but members are participating in the Xavier Virtual Recording Project . Please see The Xavier Choir above. In normal times, we Gather at 8AM for coffee and pastries and rehearse from 8:10am – 8:50am and then lead the musical worship for the 9AM liturgy. But for the remainder of this “school” year, the Family Faith Choir will be on hiatus, hopefully returning to active duty in September of 2021. Stay tuned.

Find out more by contacting Director of Music Ministries John Uehlein at (646-573-0099) or juehlein@sfxavier.org

Family Faith Choir

FAMILY FAITH CHOIR

Our Family Faith Choir should be called the “Early Bird Choir” as it meets first thing Sunday morning for coffee and pastries/bagels.  This is an inter-generational choir including both children, teens and adults providing music for the 9AM liturgy on Sunday mornings. The choir prepares the music for the liturgy and special music for the once a month Family Faith liturgy as well as the Family Mass on Christmas Eve, First Communion and Confirmation. The choir is under the direction of the Assistant Director of Music:  Jacqueline C. Perez.

We Gather at 8AM for coffee and pastries and rehearse from 8:10 – 8:50 and then 

Leading the musical worship for the 9AM liturgy

Find out more by contacting Director of Music Ministries John Uehlein at (646-573-0099) or juehlein@sfxavier.org or the Assistant Director of Music Ministries Jacqueline C. Perez at jperez@jesuits.org

XAVIER DANCERS

The Xavier Dance ensemble continues to grow in scope and repertoire. The three principal events of the year include our annual “Christmas Lessons and Carols: Sharing the Joy!” as well as “What Wondrous Love” on Spy Wednesday of Holy Week and “The Easter Vigil.” But there are other times when the ensemble will dance as well. We are particularly looking for male dancers at the present time, but more females are always welcome as well.

Rehearsal times are seasonal and TBD dependent on dancers

Find out more by contacting Director of Music Ministries John Uehlein at (646-573-0099) or juehlein@sfxavier.org