Upcoming events.
Jam Session
All are welcome to come and share Sacred music from all eras and styles (from Chant to Praise and Worship) Bring your voices/instruments.
Music Technology in Liturgy
How can pastoral musicians employ technology in music ministry without intruding on worship?
Jam Session
All are welcome to come and share Sacred music from all eras and styles (from Chant to Praise and Worship) Bring your voices/instruments.
Instituto OCP, Día de Formación y Capacitación Litúrgica para el Ministerio de Música Pastoral Hispana
Una jornada de formación/instrucción para los músicos litúrgicos y su papel en la celebración de la Eucaristía presentado por OCP Institutos.
St. Cecilia Sing 2023
Choirs and ensembles from across the Archdiocese come together to present beautiful sacred music of varied styles and cultures. Together with the choirs, the audience is invited to join in singing hymns and antiphons for the feast of St. Cecilia, the patron of music. Free-will offering to support NPM programming.
Jam Session
Sing or play your instrument with us! We will be singing Contemporary Praise and Worship songs from some of today's top artists alongside the praise band Saved by Grace.
Summer Night 2023
This year, three one-night programs will be taking place across the diocese to refine your choral skills with renowned clinician Dr. Jerry Custer. Come experience choral pieces that are complimentary to the 2023-2024 liturgical year. Mark your calendars and be sure to invite your choir members and friends!
NPM Contemporary Jam Session
Want to make music just for the sheer joy of it?! Come to NPM Contemporary Jam Session on Tuesday, May 9 from 7 - 8:30pm (doors 6:15pm) at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church in Madison Heights. It is free to attend! No reservations needed! Just bring a portable instrument and/or your voice for a hosted evening of live praise music. We'll sing and play some of the most popular worship songs sung in our parishes. This is a night tailored for contemporary singers and groups. We hope to see you there!
Cantor & Guitar Workshop
Calling all cantors and guitar players! Start out 2023 with NPM Detroit at a workshop that is designed to help you hone your skills! Cantor workshop led by Amy Righi of St. Isidore parish, focusing on skills and techniques for singing different styles of music. Guitar workshop led by Jerry Vermeulen of St. Andrew Rochester and Jim Agrusa of St. Lawrence Utica, focusing on basic skills for liturgical guitar players.
Subjects will include:
Finger exercises
Basic open chords
Strumming patterns
Using a Capo
Scales / Chords
Chord embellishment
Playing with other musicians
Mass parts
Check-in and registration begin at 8:30 am.
Light breakfast and lunch are included with online registration.
Presenters:
Amy Righi
Music and Liturgy Director at St. Isidore Church
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Amy has treasured her eclectic experiences in sacred music from urban to suburban parishes and beyond, spanning the last 50 years. Early contributions in sacred music include Responsorial Psalms with “Psalms in His Presence” collections for the church years A, B and C and Feasts and Solemnities. Published with International Liturgy Publications, her Lenten Mass setting “Mass of Wondrous Love” and other compositions and recordings can be found at ILPMusic.org. Amy is also a member of the Liturgical Composer’s Forum started by John Foley, S.J. dedicated to the on-going formation and collaboration of published composers of sacred music. With a B.S. in Vocal music Education and an M.A. in English and Literature from Oakland University, she has enjoyed mentoring youth as a high school choral director, English teacher, parish youth ensemble director and private voice and piano instructor. Director of Music and Liturgy at St. Isidore church in Macomb, MI since 2008, Amy cherishes crafting music and worship experiences with her talented colleagues, ensembles and parish family for the glory of God and the sanctification of his people. Amy also enjoys singing professionally with the Michigan Caroling Co. and a recently formed a cappella women’s quartet, Came. Favorite activities include windsurfing, snowboarding, tennis, hiking and golfing with her handsome husband and three amazing (and eligible) sons.
Jim Agrusa
Jim Agrusa has been playing guitar for over 55 years and has been involved in contemporary Catholic music since 1973. Jim began his ministry at St Edmund (now St. Faustina) Catholic Church in Warren, Michigan. Jim wrote, arranged and led the congregation in the music liturgy. In 1979, Jim moved to Bettendorf, Iowa to attend Palmer College of Chiropractic. He joined Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and was put in charge of starting, developing and leading a contemporary group there. Jim did this until he graduated in December of 1982. Jim and his family moved back to Michigan where he began his chiropractic career. He continued to be active in contemporary music ministry at St Clement of Romeo. In 1986 Jim and his family became parishioners at St. Isadore Catholic Church. While at St. Isadore he developed and led the contemporary group there. In 1990, Jim and the group were called to St. John Vianney where they served the parish until 2010. For the past 7 years Jim has been a member of the St. Lawrence Contemporary Group.
Jerry Vermeulen
Jerry started guitar lessons at age 8. At age 12, he was playing for 'folk' masses at St. Basil in Eastpointe, and later played in his high school jazz band. For more than 30 years, he was a member of numerous bands that entertained at weddings and bars. He has come full circle and returned to playing worship music, first at St. John Vianney in Shelby Twp. and currently at St. Andrew in Rochester. Jerry works giving guitar lessons at Music Life Academy in Shelby Twp. He also volunteers with the Guitars 4 Vets organization.
St. Cecilia Sing 2022
Hear the Cathedral resound with glorious singing! Choirs and ensembles from across the Archdiocese come together to present beautiful sacred music of varied styles and cultures. Together with the choirs, the audience is invited to join in singing hymns and antiphons for the feast of St. Cecilia, the patron of music. Free-will offering to support NPM Scholarship for youth to attend the national convention.
Summer Nights 2022
Choir singers of all levels are invited to join us for three nights of fun! Two nights of a choral workshop, honing your choral skills with Michael Burkhart. Then join us for dinner and a special liturgy to commission and bless all choral singers for the upcoming season. Save the dates and be sure to invite your friends and fellow choir members!
May Social 2022
Come play Feather Bowling! After two years of COVID-19 lockdowns and social distancing, this Spring Social will be unlike any prior year. Catch up and share stories with old friends and make new ones at the Michigan Heritage Awarded Belgium Restaurant and Bar that remains a Detroit classic destination.
Summer Night
One night only this year! Let your NPM Board members help you re-connect to your ministry as a choral singer. In one night, we will give you a quick but thorough reminder of the basics of rhythm, vocal tech, and choral performance as we offer you the opportunity to get your singing back into shape for the choir season. This workshop is for choral singers of all levels.
St. Cecilia Sing!
Our annual choir festival returns with music and choirs from all over the archdiocese of Detroit. Free admission for audience members. Choirs/ensembles must register in advance.
Summer Nights: A Sight-reading Workshop for Singers
Led by Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, our four night workshop will improve anyone’s sight-reading and music reading skills. Choir directors, encourage your choristers to dust off their vocal chords and enhance their skills for the new choir season! The week will end with our annual NPM Picnic, Evening Prayer with Fr. Duane Novelly, and a commissioning for all liturgical musicians for the beginning of the new year!