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Get to Know Our Music Ministry
St. Michael Choir
Under the direction of Tom Kaczmarek, the St. Michael Adult Choir, now 60 members plus, has been together since 1992. Our Music Ministry also has a Children’s Choir and an Arts & Praise Choir (middle school), and a Handbell Choir, all under the direction of Jenny Ivens, Minister of Music. In addition to the Adult Choir, Tom also directs the Rhythm Section and Instrumentalists. Currently over 60 active members share lively, exuberant, and spirit-filled music with the St. Michael community each Sunday, ranging in age from high school to “seasoned.” The songs of the assembly are highly eclectic, coming from a wide palette of tastes, ranging from chant to gospel to Chris Tomlin—and most everything in between. Our Music Ministry/Choir has performed a number of musicals, including The Music Man, Oklahoma, and Godspell. They have also produced four CDs. There Is a Time was released this past year. St. Michael is blessed to have such accomplished and generous musicians who come together to praise God!
Tom Kaczmarek
Music Director
Tom began accompanying Mass at St. Michael in 1994 and took on the Music Director role in 1999. He met his wife Lori when she joined the choir in 1994. They were married in 1997.
Tom received his B.A. in Music Composition and Theory from VCU and earned an M.A. in Theology from Notre Dame in 2008.
Tom and Lori reside in Rockville on 5+ acres (Camp Rockville) with their two sons, Jack (14) and Sam (12), and their dog Jazz, a standard poodle. Tom has a daughter from a previous marriage, Macy, who, along with her husband Matt, is raising two young daughters in Glen Allen. Jack and Rita (85 and 83 years young!), Tom’s parents, recently moved to Short Pump to join the fun out at Camp Rockville.
Most of Tom’s free time is devoted either to writing or chasing his sons’ sports teams around.
Tom is an avid Packers fan (a sports fan in general), a trait he shares with Lori and all his children. Tom enjoys the company of his family, whether watching a game, going to the movies, making music, or working outside in the fresh air together.Joe Sarver is one of the more in-demand bass players in the Central Virginia area. He has been playing the bass professionally since the age of 12. A native Richmonder, Joe has spent the better part of his musical career working with many of the most notable musicians in the Central Virginia region in every venue imaginable. Over the years, he has been fortunate enough to have some wonderful musical associations with great veteran jazz players on the Richmond scene, as well as a number of key figures in the jazz world of national prominence. Joe is a National Endowment of the Arts award recipient for Jazz Studies. He has a passion for Brazilian music, especially Brazilian jazz. St. Michael is so fortunate to have Joe in our Music Ministry.
Joe Sarver
To get to know Joe and his musical endeavors, visit his website at joesarver.com.
Jenny Ivens
Music Minister
Jenny Ivens, a native Richmonder, has been the Music Minister/Cantor at St. Michael since 1999. In addition to cantoring the weekend Masses, Jenny also directs the Children’s Choir, the Arts & Praise Group, and the Handbell Choir. She received her B.A. in Music from East Carolina University. Currently, she is the Lower School Music Teacher and Choir Director at St. Catherine’s School. Previous to St. Catherine’s, Jenny taught music and choir at St. Bridget School.
Jenny and her husband Ed have been married for 12 years. They have an eight-year-old daughter, Genevieve. When Jenny is not teaching or singing, she enjoys spending her time with family!
We are thankful, Jenny, that you have shared your talent with St. Michael all these years!
Julia Niedermaier (left) & Laura Stapleton (right)
Laura Stapleton grew up in the wings of St. Michael. Coming from a musical family, singing in school and the church choir at an early age, she serves as a staff cantor both here at St. Michael and our neighbor St. Mary parish. Laura attended J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and Longwood University to earn her undergraduate degree in Liberal Studies, with a focus in elementary and middle school education. Over the years, she has studied voice with Jeanette Cross McCalla and continues with her mother and mentor Melanie Coddington. In addition to serving as a staff cantor, Laura is our EDGE Coordinator—our parish’s faith formation program for middle school youth. She is also a member of the newest Lay Ecclesial Ministry Institute class in our diocese. She is pursuing a graduate degree in Theology through St. Joseph’s College of Maine. Laura and her husband Jeff reside in Beaverdam. When not singing, studying, spending time with youth, or commuting, she enjoys feasting and being merry with loved ones at home around the table.
Julia Niedermaier has been a member of St. Michael parish since she was three years old. She has gone through the ranks of the Music Ministry, starting with the Children’s Choir, and then moving on to the Arts and Praise Group and Adult Choir. Julia serves as a cantor, as well. She went to Christopher Newport University to earn her undergraduate degree in Mathematics, and she stayed an extra year to earn her Masters in Arts of Teaching. Julia currently works as a 7th Grade Math teacher at Oak Knoll Middle School in Hanover County. She loves serving on the EDGE core team, cheering on any Detroit sports team, and coaching basketball in her free time.
Soloists Laura and Julie sing in Daughter of God. -
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Jill has been a member of the St. Michael Music Ministry for many years. She spent her early years in the Rhythm Section, being mentored by our seasoned members and working extremely hard—she rehearsed for two years before she ever played “live” at Mass! Her dedication and commitment to the ministry allowed her a spot at the drums regularly. Some of her favorites to play are Blessed Be Your Name, Our God Is Here, A Rightful Place, and This Is the Day. We have been blessed to have her as a devoted member of our Music Ministry. Jill is a rising sophomore at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT. Prior to attending the Academy, she was a Drum Major at Henrico High School.
The Daughter of God Ensemble
Jill Stuckey
Say Hi! to Jill when you see her celebrating with us over the Christmas break. We love having her “home,” as she brings a joyful and irrepressible energy to our liturgies. There is always a seat at the drum kit for her. Godspeed, Jill!
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Latest CD: There is a Time
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Sunday Word for Pastoral Musicians
The Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
August 12, 2018
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” (John 6:51)
ReflectionSometimes we all feel like Elijah. We sense that the challenges of our jobs and lives are uphill battles. We imagine our journey to be desert-like when we become weary. We are tempted to say, “This is enough, O Lord!” just as Elijah did.
However, just as he did for Elijah, the Lord provides nourishment for our journey. Through the Eucharist, we are strengthened with a reviving meal and further refreshed by the presence of the Lord in our midst.
We must always keep in mind the weariness of those who arrive at our doors each week seeking sustenance and strength. As liturgical ministers, we pray that they find Him not only in the Eucharist, in the Word, and in the assembly, but also in the music we lead.
Prayer
Most loving God,
We glorify you for your goodness and mercy.
When we are weak and troubled,
you are an ever-sustaining presence in our lives.
Help us, O Lord, to be Christ for those who seek you,
And refreshment for them in their thirst.
Remi Fonseca Bauer
St. Rose of Lima
Gaithersburg, Maryland -
Contact
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Tom Kaczmarektkaczmareksaint-mikes.orgMusic Director
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Jenny Ivensjivenssaint-mikes.orgMusic Minister
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