Music Ministry

Ms. Jennifer Toohey, Director
(516)931-0056
 

Who Makes the Music at St. Ignatius Loyola Parish?

Our Music Director

Recently appointed Music Director and Cantor of St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish, Ms. Jennifer Toohey  has an extensive background in both classical and ecclesiastical music, both in performance and direction.  Ms. Toohey has over 10 years experience as a Catholic Cantor throughout the Rockville Centre Diocese as well as the Brooklyn Queens Diocese. Comfortable in English, Italian and Spanish she cantors masses in all three languages.   Ms. Toohey is an experienced children’s choir director, Elementary Music School teacher in the Catholic Schools and private voice instructor.  Ms. Toohey’s conservatory training in music is from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College and has an extensive performing career as an operatic and concert singer across the United States and Europe .  As an opera singer and recitalist, Ms. Toohey has worked in many opera companies throughout the United States such as, Sarasota Opera, Utah Festival Opera, Intermezzo Opera Festival, Brevard Music Festival and Raylynmor Opera among others and has performed as a soloist , both sacred and operatic, throughout Europe in countries such as Belgium, Italy, Austria, and Germany.  Ms. Toohey also has been the recipient of numerous vocal competition performance awards such as the Paul Robeson Vocal Competition, Friday Woodmere Young Artist Award, The Claire Bennet Moringiello Award and the Violet Zatkin  award.

You, Our Parishioners!                             The congregation gathered at each Mass and service of the Church has a significant impact and vital part to play in the music of the Church. Quiet, gentle voices, strong and rich voices, even “a joyful noise” voices - you are a big part of the music ministry by singing the Psalm responses, the hymns of the day and the liturgical responses.  You participate in our music also when you come to listen.  The choral anthems and instrumental music of organ, flute, guitar and trumpet are performed to support you in your times of prayer, praise and meditation.  If you are interested, you are welcome to find out about singing in choir with us.

Our Cantor and Song Leader

Ms. Jennifer Toohey who is the Parish's Music Director, regularly sings at mostly all the Masses.  Other talented people regularly provide musical support.  You often see Karen Massaro, Sister Marilyn Pfriender and Jim Sheehan at the organ for 9:30am and 6:00pm Masses.
 

St. Ignatius Loyola Parish Adult Choir

We welcome new members! The Adult Choir has been in existence over 60 years and currently has about a seventeen members spread out among the soprano, alto, tenor and bass sections.  
Click here to view the Adult Choir Schedule

St. Ignatius Loyola Parish Youth Choir

Rehearsals will be on Wednesdays from 5:00pm - 6:00pm in the church and the children will sing at Sunday Mass 1-2 times per month.  All children ages 8 and up  who enjoy singing are encouraged to join.  Parents are welcome to contact our Music Director, Jennifer Toohey at the rectory office or by email at StIgnatiusMusic@me.com to learn more.
Click here to view the Youth Choir Schedule

St. Ignatius Loyola Parish Adult Choir serves a dual function:

  To support the congregational songs of the parish

  and to inspire the liturgical prayer of the parish through the beauty of sacred music.

St. Ignatius Loyola Parish Adult Choir is a mixed chorus of men and women of high school age and older, who sings at the 11:00am Sunday Mass from October through June.

The Choir may additionally sing at the following:

• Advent Service of Lessons and Carols
• Christmas Midnight Mass
• The Liturgies of the Easter Triduum
• Seasonal Concerts

The Choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 7:30pm to 9:00pm  during the month of September through June. 

The current repertoire of the St. Ignatius Loyola Parish Choir consists of about 150 chants, carols, anthems and motets. It spans five centuries and many countries - a virtual survey of the history of sacred music. The musical styles range from Gregorian chant, anthems and motets from the high Renaissance, the polyphonic music of Palestrina and Victoria to twentieth Century music by Vaughn Williams, Haugen, Rutter and Howells. Many of the works are sung a cappella; others are with organ accompaniment.

Ideally, members of the choir have some music reading skills and a good singing voice. Some training in basic vocal techniques, reading of music and musical notation, and a cappella choral singing is provided during rehearsals. New members are always welcome. They need to contact director Ms. Jennifer Toohey through the Rectory for an audition for voice placement.