St. Stephen Music Ministry

Our Director of Music Ministries is Chris Westfall,
and our Assistant Director of Music and Liturgy is José Rivera.

Cantors:Cantors lead our congregation in singing our hymns and the various Mass parts, but the primary function is to serve as Minister of the Word for the Psalm and Gospel Acclamation. A cantor should have a strong, clear voice, the ability to read music, and the confidence to lead the congregation through these musical segments of the Liturgy. For Cantors, a brief audition is required with the Director of Music.

Adult Choir: This organization is clearly the foundation for the overall music ministry here at St. Stephen. The adult choir rehearses on Thursday evenings at 7:30 PM at the St. Stephen School on Boyette Road. While there is no audition to join the choir, potential members should posses prior experience singing SATB arrangements, and have a love of music and service to our Lord. Commitment is also critical to this organization. While clearly, this is a group comprised of volunteers, our rigorous schedule and repertoire preparation dictates a significant priority to maintain a standard of excellence. The Adult Choir typically sings at the 11:30 Sunday Mass, September through June, and supports special liturgies at Christmas, Holy Week and Easter, and special Feast Days and major church events. Additionally, the Adult Choir hosts concerts involving the entire Music Ministry twice yearly.

Schola Cantarum: This small ensemble provides an opportunity for those with above-average singing ability to assist our music ministry by sharing music with more of a classical edge, and preserving the classics of the church by working on selections that have stood the test of time and have shaped our heritage. A brief private audition is required to be a member of the Schola.

EdgeSong Ensemble:This group leads our 6:00 Vigil Mass each Saturday evening. Rehearsals are typically on Tuesday evenings, but only once or twice each month. Singers interested in the Life Teen Ministry should begin in the EdgeSong Ensemble. While Life Teen singers must be at least in the 9 th grade, singers in EdgeSong can be considered, through audition, as young as 7 th or 8 th grade.

Lifeteen Ensemble: The LifeTeen Ensemble consists of two groups, the Band, and the singers. Membership into either of these groups will include an audition for excellent ability to sight read, sing parts, and have the flexibility to ad lib when necessary. The music comes almost exclusively from the contemporary Christian milieu and is adapted to fit the needs of our parish. Singers and instrumentalists interested in LifeTeen will require an audition, and will be integrated into the ministry at the discretion of the Director of Music.

Youth Orchestra: St. Stephen Youth Orchestra (SSYO): All Middle School and High School String and Band musicians are invited to participate in this unique ministry. Auditions are not required, but musicians should be able to meet Hillsborough All-County Band/Orchestra requirements or the equivalent.  The music repertoire is contemporary, challenging and exciting.  Rehearsals are Thursday evenings at the Church from 6-7:15pm and on an occasional Saturday, with performances monthly at the 9:30 and 11:30 Sunday liturgies, Christmas and Easter liturgies, and within the Community as service opportunities arise.

Instrumentalists: We are constantly in search of those with exceptional instrumental skill and talent. It matters not what instrument you play, but the ability to play accompaniment and solo selections with excellence in a variety of settings is important.