Music
St. Gregory the Great's Director of Music, Patrick Godon, received his Master's (2003) and Bachelor's Degrees (2001) in piano performance from DePaul University. He studied with Mary Sauer, principal keyboardist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Patrick had his debut in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) in the summer of 2003, playing with them twice at the Ravinia Festival. He is currently a substitute with the CSO. He also plays with the MusicNOW ensemble, members of the CSO, which performs at Orchestra Hall. He is currently the pianist for the Civic Orchestra of Chicago; this is his sixth year of being involved with the orchestra. Patrick is in demand in the Chicago area as a collaborative pianist. He has studied music in Italy, New York, Chicago, and Michigan. He now adds to his list of names that of composer, as he has recently begun composing music for mass. Patrick began playing for musical theater productions at the age of 14, and has been involved as music director, conductor, pianist, and/or performer in twenty-nine shows since. He was formerly the Music Director for the DePaul University Student Night Mass from 1999-2003. In July 2003, he became the Director of Music at St. Gregory the Great Church in Chicago. He is from Fargo, North Dakota, son of Maurice and Kathy Godon, and is one of six children. In his spare moments he enjoys pondering the meaning of life and supporting the arts.
St. Gregory the Great Church is blessed with several magnificent musical instruments. Its M. P. Moller organ was recently restored by Fabry Pipe Organs, Inc. It is ready to be expanded and Patrick would be overjoyed if donors came forward to help with this cause. There are two chambers on the west wall that are currently empty, and are anxiously awaiting refill. The church also has a beautiful 6' 4" Boston Grand Piano on the main floor of the church that you can hear virtually every weekend at mass. This piano was bought in part with donations from parishioners. New to the church as of September 14th is a Boston upright piano in the loft also bought with generous gifts from parishioners.
Opportunities to participate in the music program include the Parish Choir, the Gregorian Chant Choir, the Youth Choir, the Spanish Group, the St. Joseph Choir, and as an instrumentalist or cantor. All are welcome to join the vibrant music ministries offered at St. Gregory the Great. You are also a participant in the music program if you attend a liturgy at St. Gregory's and sing from the pew with all God gave you. Even if you don't like the voice God gave you, Patrick encourages you to give it back to God at every mass you attend!
The Parish Choir rehearses on Thursday evenings from 6:50 PM until 8:30 PM. They sing for every 10:30 AM Sunday mass from September through Corpus Christi. Other Parish Choir responsibilities include singing for the Thanksgiving Day mass, the Festival of Lights, Lessons, and Carols (near Christmas), and Midnight Mass. The music is chosen from a wide variety of styles.
Ms. Jennifer Sherril directs St. Gregory's Youth Choir. She rehearses the choir on Sunday from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM in the Parish Center. The Youth Choir sings approximately six times per year at various masses. They also are a wonderful addition to the Christmas event - the Festival of Lights, Lessons, and Carols.
The St. Joseph Choir sings for funerals. They rehearse periodically and offer comfort with their many voices to those who have lost a loved one. Members are generally retired and happy to help those in need.
Cantoring is an up and coming ministry at St. Gregory. Currently fourteen cantors alternate between the three weekend masses. Cantors lead the assembly in song and encourage all to sing. Anyone interested should please see the choir website for more details.
Instrumentalists are welcome. Patrick began playing in a parish that had numerous pianists playing for the masses, and would like to see this take off at St. Gregory's at some point. If you have ever played for mass before and enjoy doing so, please contact Patrick at the Parish Center - 773-561-3546. Also, if you play an instrument and are interested in playing for mass in some capacity, contact Patrick to discuss opportunities.
St. Gregory's hosts concerts throughout the year. Last year, the DePaul University Singers and Northern Harmony, a young choir from Vermont, gave a joint concert in the church. For information about upcoming concerts please check the home page on this site or log on to the choir website. For more information about the choir and samples of their music, go to www.stgregorychoir.net