I am sure you can make a generic announcement inviting singers to join your choir, but that may get you some you don't want. Bulletin notices can be used but I have never been sure they are effective. I have spies around who listen for good voices in the congregation during mass. When one is found, a personal invitation is made to join us. We do get turned down sometimes, but sometimes not. I have been talking to choir directors in my town and they are having the same problems attracting singers. It seems folks don't do singing like they used to, or are so over-scheduled they don't have time. Paid singers are available but we don't really have the money for that.

Good luck!

Make handbills and stuff the bulletin... that keeps tacky announcements out of the Mass, and it puts a reminder on the table of every member!

I second the audition component. How about something like, "We always welcome experienced singers into our choirs. Please contact the director to schedule an audition, and we look forward to your joining us!"

This has been my parish for 17+ years now. I am frustrated at how few people DO anything there. It's the STP.... Same ten people... Same ten percent. I want to nag people into joining.

I know there are at least two very capable men in my congregation, but what I hear is, "Well, I'll pray over it." or "You guys are doing a great job, you really don't need me..." sigh...

I want to NAG them into joining. I don't suppose that would work eh?

Ha ha Chuck! thanks! I'm using that for sure! lol!

Based on what you are looking for, the mention of an audition or vocal assessment would seem to fit.

I think CGZ's mention of a recruitment dinner is a good idea... it gives you a chance to speak about the specifics of what involvement in the choir represents, the commitment, etc.. So your bulletin announcement (which the pastor could point out from the pulpit) would perhaps include both components and a mention of the role that music plays in the worship / liturgy of the Church.

In my choirs, I schedule an end-of-year meeting each year for the existing choir and for people who might be interested in joining. Dinner is provided, there is a celebratory component (we have finished the season and there is the summer break before we start the new season)... but there is also an honest meeting where I discuss what it is that we are after in terms of choir - the privilege of what we do balanced against the corresponding obligation of rehearsal so that we can achieve our purpose. I lay out the expectations for participation along with the spirituality inherent in being part of the choir.

For existing members, the meeting is my chance to be very clear on expectations and focusing awareness on the REAL reason why we do what we do - even those who have been singing with me for years can benefit from the reminder. It is a chance for them to weigh the commitment against the reward and make a free decision of yes or no. For new people (and there are always a few for whom this is the first end-of-year meeting), it clarifies - in a friendly social setting - what we are all about. Music is the tool, not the end.

The celebratory aspect, the expression of "thank-you", the social context of having a dinner meeting (typically at a restaurant with alcohol and food) - all bring home the team aspect - that we are a kind of "family" - and provide another appeal for being part of a group of like-minded and devout Catholics.

Team-building; clarifying purpose and expectations; celebrating and simultaneously looking forward - all good stuff. :)

One last thought... I tell the choir several times during the year and at the EOY meeting about the importance of recruitment. I want the choir to actively recruit like-minded people who will embrace the goals of what we are about throughout the year. I get quite a few new members that way...

Best of luck in building back up your choir!

this resonated with me >> It's the STP.... Same ten people... Same ten percent.
We seem to have the same percentage. It's too bad, because placing one's talents (cooking, landscaping, singing, whatever) at the foot of the altar, so to speak, is far less work, and far more joy.

I too think a vocal assessment is important (and like Incardination's approach). Liam has listed excellent guidelines for personal invitations. Thanks!

Sometimes I wonder if Catholic churches don't get choir members, because the choirs seem to be dominated by older folks, and that makes it unappealing for people who are younger? I wonder if: there were some child care available for rehearsals that might help? Could you have rehearsals when kids are occupied there for something (CCD, sports practice, etc?), and hope to rope in a parent to sing? I realize this sounds crazy. : )
Also, I know that when I am involved in music at my parish, my kids complain ("can't you sit with us instead?"). Is this part of the problem - - families then can't sit together, it leaves one parent to wrangle children, etc?
I know I raised more problems than solutions, but I just wonder about these things.

I have some children in the loft in order to get parents to sing. They are generally well-behaved, and when one occasionally acts up, they are kids and I can live with it.

If you can get one or two young ones they bring their friends. Half our choir of 24 are students under thirty; but then the problem is they go home when the university breaks up for Christmas and Easter, and it's back to the faithful, elderly few.
I teach part-time at the university, so I personally invited students I thought would fit in. I think that although it's more time-consuming it's more successful in the long run..

Sometimes I wonder if Catholic churches don't get choir members, because the choirs seem to be dominated by older folks, and that makes it unappealing for people who are younger?

We have all sorts of ages in my choir. Thirteen is the youngest and +60 is the oldest and everything in between. I've got the two youngest gentlemen singing the Gregorian propers.

I wonder if: there were some child care available for rehearsals that might help? Could you have rehearsals when kids are occupied there for something (CCD, sports practice, etc?), and hope to rope in a parent to sing? I realize this sounds crazy. : ) Also, I know that when I am involved in music at my parish, my kids complain ("can't you sit with us instead?"). Is this part of the problem - - families then can't sit together, it leaves one parent to wrangle children, etc?

I understand this too. One of my fantastic members has five very young children. He sits down with his family for part of the mass and comes up for the chanting of the psalm or an anthem. He often brings his children. As a mom myself, I have no problem with these things. He just had baby #5 and came for two rehearsals before Christmas. I was happy to have him. Perhaps I will make this known, though, I worry about upsetting the solid crew. I could not offer babysitting or the like.

Seriously, first you need to be praying for your parishioners, and for people who might join.

Yup. Right now I'm deep in praying for my children, but I suppose I could add this in to the mix?

announce in the bulletin that there will be a weekly perpetual novena to St. Gregory or Cecilia for an Increase in Choir Members.

I will do this. Great idea.

If you can get one or two young ones they bring their friends. Half our choir of 24 are students under thirty;

Nice work. We are no where near a university. We have some high school kids and some university kids.... I'll ask them!

I do wish our "Lifeteen" director would suggest it to the group.... sigh....

Start a Pueri Cantores chapter. (Or the equivalent thereof.) Build a culture that shows that church music isn't just for old folks. And train your future replacements.

I'll look that up!

"Lifeteen" director

Dumb question: What's lifeteen?
Next dumb question: Who's Jeff Spicoli?

Jeff Spicoli? You would be happier if you did know!

Isn't Lifeteen Msgr Dale (Somethingortheother)'s group?

Look for people who have outgrown Lifeteen: it's great when you're a teenager or if you have the gifts to go back as a leader, but as people's faith matures, they need more. This is where more traditional music becomes more attractive, as people go deeper.

So, I did make a tacky announcement, but since the last one was about 7 years ago, people actually complimented me on it. I think this is because I asked people to join in a novena for the choir and to pray for us.

I had at least 6 people say they were going to come to the next rehearsal. One is a senior in high school and another is in college. The rest were adults. I think four have real promise... so we'll see.

No men though.... :(

Thank you!

1. Is a choir necessary? The Church does offer a wealth of support, via STL, SC, et al. But what are the musical needs of your parish?
2. Needs differ from wants. If your job is as Choir Director, then by all means, recruit, recruit, recruit. But if your job is Director of Music, then listen to your parish, your singers, your musicians, and create a reasonable, lasting situation.
3. Example: I was in Italy a couple of years ago (Rome, Orvieto, Alps, etc.). I experienced a beautiful Sunday Mass with no choir nor instruments.
4. In other words, remember that music serves the liturgy, that basic is better than terrible, and the Mass is not a talent show unless the musicians have actual talent.

For a less-tacky announcement try this:


(Imagine it being sung):

The Lord be with you
And with Thy Spirit

A Lection from the Beginning of the Letter of Kappelmeister (fill in in name)
Spare us, O Lord!**

In the beginning God made the heavens and the Earth, the choirs of angels and all that dwell therein. Now therefore, my Beloved Brethren, see that God called them choirs of Angels. Be not loud, clanging cymbals, therefore, but voices raised in praise of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, Who gave you tongues to speak His praise. Choir registration begins immediately following this Mass.


The Word of the Kappelmeister.
Thanks be to God.


** Some editions of the manuscript require the text to be "Good Lord, deliver us", while others merely indicate something illegible, followed by "Good Lord!"