Welcome Patrick Hagen! Patrick comes to us most recently from the San Francisco Opera Chorus, where he was a resident member. We are excited that he is already directing an integral part of liturgy on Sundays, the wonderful music, and working with our choir and the other musicians who aid us in worship. Learn about Patrick in this short interview—and when you see him be sure to ask about joining the choir or the importance of a strong vocal presence from the assembly during service! He also works as a voice instructor, so you might ask him about that as well.
What about your background helped you prepare for this opportunity?
Years of preparation as a professional ensemble musician and vocal / piano instructor have helped prepare me for the musical aspect of the position. I've also spent more than ten years as a professional music liturgist, preparing music ministry for a variety of faith based organizations, including many years in the Roman Catholic Church.
Why is Music Ministry so important?
One of the most important aspects of Music Ministry is that the choir, and all of the musicians, act as an extension of the singing assembly. The presence of Christ is manifested at Mass not only in the priest but also in the proclamation of scripture, the Body and Blood of Christ Jesus, and all the people gathered and worshiping together, and you can hear it when people sing. We pour our faith, musicianship, and acts of service into worship and we create a foundation for this aspect of worship during the entire liturgy.