About Sacred Music
There are three choirs that serve the liturgies at the shrine. The St. Martin’s Choir was founded by Fr. Vernon Robertson, and sings for the Ordinary Form Liturgies at 10am each Sunday and on feast days. The Latin Mass Choir is the successor of a choir founded in the early 1990’s and sings for Extraordinary Form Liturgies at 12pm each Sunday and on feast days. Both of these choirs are composed of adult volunteers and professional singers. The Student Schola Choir was founded in the fall of 2015 to train children in music and liturgical formation. This choir sings periodically for Masses. The Director of Sacred Music and Organist is a full-time professional musician who overseas all music at the shrine.
The choirs sing the Gregorian propers of the Mass and offer motets each week. The choirs also assist the congregation to sing hymns at the procession, communion, and at the end of Mass. The congregation also heartily takes part in the singing of Gregorian chant each week. At present the congregation is capable of singing Masses I (Kyrie), VIII (all), IX (Sanctus and Agnus Dei), XVIII (all), Credo III (some of the congregation), as well as the typical seasonal hymns and responsories.
The Organ: 1876
The 1894 Farrand & Votey Pipe Organ has stood in the gallery of St. Martin of Tours for over 130 years and is one of the earliest and largest electric-action instruments that still possesses its original voice in its original space. Built by one of the most respected teams of craftsmen of the late 19th century, its sound has never been altered and serves as an unusual example of a 19th century Romantic-era organ in a spectacular acoustic. In the words of American organ historian Jonathan Ambrosino who evaluated the St. Martin's Farrand & Votey organ in March 2014, "Some organs are rare, others great. This one is both. ... This instrument has proven itself both beautiful and durable, well suited to its environment and to the requirements of the traditional accompanied Mass."
The Shrine is currently overseeing an extensive restoration of the instrument by Wahl Organ Builders. Putting our resources into this unique work of art will benefit the greater society beyond the boundaries of the shrine and the city, as fewer and fewer of these treasures survive into the next generation. Please consider donating to preserve this important cultural treasure before it falls silent. This and many future generations will be grateful for your generosity!
The Shrine is the home of multiple opportunities to serve the Lord with your , musical talents. For information about our schola programs, email Dr. Emily Meixner at emeixner@alumni.nd.edu.