About the Music Program
Music has always played an important role in the liturgical life of the parish. a tradition which continues and flourishes to this day. With a rich legacy of musical leadership including Adalbert Huguelet and William Ferris that continues under the guidance of Paul French, the congregation has an opportunity to worship with music from the rich heritage of the Catholic Church. Polyphony and Gregorian chant are sung along with works of Classical, Romantic and 20th-21st century composers. The Sunday afternoon liturgies feature contemporary music accompanied by piano and cantor. The Contemporary Choir sings a varied repertoire at this Mass during the Advent-Christmas and Lent-Easter seasons. The liturgies at Our Lady of Mount Carmel are filled with voices and instruments making a joyful noise to the Lord!
The Sunday afternoon liturgies feature contemporary song accompanied by piano and diverse musical instruments.
The congregation is an active participant in all the liturgies through spirited singing of responsorial psalms, Eucharistic acclamations and hymnody.
The liturgical year at Our Lady of Mount Carmel is filled with voices and instruments making a joyful noise to the Lord!
Staff
Paul French, Music Director
Prior to joining the Music staff of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in January of 2001, Paul French has worked in parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago for nearly two decades, including St. James (Arlington Heights), Old St. Patrick's. St. Vincent Ferrer (River Forest) and St. John of the Cross (Western Springs). In actuality this is Paul's second tenure at Mount Carmel, having served an apprenticeship on the music staff under his teacher, William Ferris, from 1987-1989. He has studied composition, chant, conducting and organ at St. John's University (Collegeville, MN), Northwestern University and the Pontificio Istituto di Musica Sacra in Rome. Paul was appointed Music Director of the William Ferris Chorale May 16, 2005. He has composed more than 200 instrumental and choral works in a variety of media including works for choir, voice, organ, brass and orchestra. He is active in the Chicago area as a recording session conductor and producer, and is the proud father of two sons, William and Andrew.
John Vorrasi, Principal Cantor
Tenor John Vorrasi has been a featured soloist in many concerts and liturgies throughout the country. He sang at Holy Name Cathedral for seven seasons and has been principal Cantor at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church since 1985. A frequent soloist with the William Ferris Chorale, he has also appeared at the Spoleto Festival: USA, the Aldeburgh Festival, with the Chicago Opera Theater, the Virginia Philharmonic, the Tarvos Ensemble and the Chicago String Ensemble. He won critical acclaim for his performance as the Evangelist on the world premiere recording of Leo Sowerby's Forsaken of Man on New World Records. His recitals of contemporary music, often with composers such as Ned Rorem and Lee Hoiby serving as his accompanist, have been broadcast by the BBC, Radio Vaticana, WFMT and WNIB. He serves as Artistic Director of the William Ferris Chorale, an internationally acclaimed ensemble he founded in 1972 with composer/conductor William Ferris.
Eric Budzynski, Organist
Eric is a frequently sought after organist, choir director and accompanist throughout the Chicago area. He is the organist of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, director of three children’s choirs including Chicago Boy Choir, and is a staff accompanist for Chicago Children’s Choir. Previously he has served as the Director of Music for The Church of Saint Paul and the Redeemer (Chicago) and Director of Music at The Parish Church of Saint Luke (Evanston, IL). He holds the MMus in Church Music and Organ degree with honors from Northwestern University and the BA cum laude in Organ Performance from Duquesne University. As a recitalist he has been featured in many venues including the National AGO Convention, the Holy Name Cathedral Music Series, Fourth Presbyterian Church (Chicago), Bach Week (Evanston) and the Friends of Music Recital Series (Presbyterian Homes). Eric has served as resident/guest organist at St. Paul’s Cathedral (London), Christ Church (Oxford), and The American Cathedral (Paris). He is a recipient of the Jean Langlais Award for Excellence in Sacred Music and took first prize in the Violette Cassel Organ Competition and the Pittsburgh AGO Competition. Eric is also a continuo player for various musical organizations and can be heard at the harpsichord in Apollo Chorus’ 2006 release of Messiah on Clarion Records.
The Liturgical Year
2009-2010 Music Season
Click here to access a complete, printable listing of choral selections for Liturgical Year 2009-2010 (PDF format).