General Info
Ministry Description
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Here is the link to the main parish website for musician recruitment. Click here.
To find out other activities and ministries at St. Michael's Catholic Community, visit the parish website www.saintmichael.ca
How do I get to the church?
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From 14th Street north
Go westbound on Bow Trail SW
Cross Sarcee Tr.
Cross Strathcona Blvd.
Turn right (north) on 85 St. SW)
Cross Wentworth Dr. SW
Cross 9 Ave. SW
Turn right at the church sign: 800 - 85 St. SW
Plenty of parking is available around the church.
The new church building
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St. Michael's Catholic Church will be moving to its new building in the last week of March 2011. We'll be further west from the old building by approximately 10 minutes by car.
The first Mass that Inspirition Band will be serving is Sunday 5pm, March 27, 2011.
Travel west on Bow Trail SW. Turn right on 85 St. SW (northbound). Cross 9 Ave. SW. The church is in the next block and on the right.
As a vocalist, what do I need?
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The setting in which vocals are performed in the band is not a typical "choir" setting. Each singer is on a separate microphone, so knowing good microphone technique is just as important as good vocal technique. Each vocalist must be reasonably strong and without too much embellishment in one's vocal quality since all the voices still need to blend.
Here is a checklist of skills that are important for vocals to be performed in this band:
- quickly learn a vocal line
- the ability read written music
- find and remember a harmony line
- the ability to find the harmony lines in written music
- find the right intonation and pronunciation for a given phrase in the music
- listen to the surrounding vocal and instrumental parts and find a way to fit your voice into it
Harmony is stressed in this band and is very important in our custom arrangements. If you have never sung harmony, then we will be working through them with considerable detail for which you are expected to try. The ability to sing harmonies comes with lots of practice; you must be very open and willing to do them.
Additionally, because all members of the band monitor with in-ear monitors (headphones that fit inside your ears) including vocalists, the way we listen to ourselves and the band is very different from the traditional monitoring for bands, which is with floor monitors or "wedges". The in-ear monitor sound is generally clearer and more detailed, so you will likely need to adjust your listening technique and how you respond with your voice. The level of microscopic detail that you will experience will take some adjustment, but this is fair warning for you and you will eventually learn how best to maximize this valuable resource.
Finally, having a cooperative, exploratory, and fun spirit about music will go a long way in helping to push our abilities for making the best music that we possibly can.
As an instrumentalist, what do I need?
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You will need to have attained a very good level of proficiency with your instrument. This will be revealed in your audition, but you are expected to try to continue to improve in your skill. Having played in a band setting is a definite asset. Recording experience as an instrumentalist is another great asset, including the ability to follow with a song using headphones. Being able to read music is another great asset, as well as the ability to take notes for specific cues.
You will need an instrument that is of good quality, well taken care of, and one that you know how to make the best sound with and one that helps you perform well.
Guitarists, have your own tuner (required), supply of picks, effects pedals, and other gear you feel that you need in order to get a good sound, other than your axe. It is recommended that you tune your strings after every song or as often and as quickly as possible.
Drummers, have your own sticks. Some drummers also like to bring their own cymbals. If you like to wear fully ear-covering headphones (i.e. circumaural), which often provide better bass response, feel free to do so. Esthetically, those headphone types are not distracting to the congregation since the drummer is located at the back of the band.
Keyboardists, a grand piano and a home-style Roland synthesizer with non-modifiable sounds is provided in the band area of the sanctuary. On certain occasions, more keyboards may be needed and we will need to discuss bringing in other keyboards.
Additionally, because all members of the band monitor with in-ear monitors (headphones that fit inside your ears) including vocalists, the way we listen to ourselves and the band is very different from the traditional monitoring for bands, which is with floor monitors or "wedges". The in-ear monitor sound is generally clearer and more detailed, so you will likely need to adjust your listening technique and how you respond with your voice. The level of microscopic detail that you will experience will take some adjustment, for which you will need to be aware. You will eventually learn how best to maximize this valuable resource.
