Faith grows when it is expressed well in celebration. At our parish community of St. John Capistran and St. Thomas More, we aim to foster the art of sacred music grounded in the scriptures and that would reflect our true Catholic theology in the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist. St. Augustine said "to sing well is to pray twice" and we are focused to uplift our voices in song not just as choirs but the entire assembly. If you are interested in joining one of our choirs below, please contact Mr. Daniel F. Kovacic, Minister of Music, at kovacicd@stm-sjc.org or 412-833-0031, ext. 242.
 
Please note that prior to joining and participating, you must be cleared through our Office for Safe Environment and have all of the proper clearances needed by the State of Pennsylvania and the Diocese of Pittsburgh.​
 
Canticle Choir
Ages: High School through Adult
Rehearsals: Thursday Evenings, 7:00 PM, St. Thomas More
Canticle Choir is comprised of members of both St. John Capistran and St. Thomas More parishes. We sing a wide repertoire of music ranging from classical to newly composed sacred music. The choir sings a rotating between St. John Capistran (Sunday, 9:00 AM on the first and third Sundays) and St. Thomas More (Sunday, 9:30 AM on the second and fourth Sundays) along with special times throughout the year such as Christmas, Epiphany Concert, and Holy Week. (Daniel Kovacic, Director)
 
Children’s Choir
Ages: Children Grades 2-7
Rehearsals: November/December and April/May
 
The Children’s Choir is open to all children of St. John Capistran and St. Thomas More Parishes from grades 2-7 and sings for Christmas Eve and Mother’s Day. Rehearsals are held following CCD classes at St. John Capistran Church. (Daniel Kovacic, Director)
 
Handbell Choir
Ages: High School through Adult
Rehearasls: Thursday Evenings, 6:00-7:00 PM, St. Thomas More
 
The Handbell Choir of St. John Capistran and St. Thomas More rings a repertoire of music that enhances special liturgies throughout the year. Rehearsals are held Thursday evenings and the group rings a four octave set of handbells. There is always room for growth to expand to five octaves. The group rings at various Mass times throughout the year at both churches. (Nick Capone, Director)
 
Instrumentalists
Ages: High School through Adult
Rehearsals: Scheduled as Needed
 
Talented and skilled instrumentalists are always needed to add beauty to the liturgy. Many musical arrangements call for various instruments such as flute, oboe, clarinet, and trumpet. Instrumentalists must be able to have strong music reading ability and an audition is required. Rehearsals are required prior to Sunday liturgies. (Daniel Kovacic, Director)
 
Living Spirit Choir
Ages: High School through Adult
Rehearsals: Tuesday Evenings, 7:00 PM, St. John Capistran
 
Living Spirit Choir sings a repertoire of newly composed liturgical music of all styles and is accompanied by organ, piano, guitar, bass, percussion, and flute. The choir sings at the 11:00 AM Mass at St. John Capistran three times per month and the 5:30 PM Saturday Vigil Mass one time per month. (Daniel Kovacic, Director)
 
Ministry of Cantor
Ages: High School through Adult
The Ministry of Cantor is an integral and vibrant part of Eucharist and paraliturgical services. Their job is to lead the Responsorial Psalm, Mass Parts, and to enliven the congregation to lift up their voices in sung prayer. An audition is required and schedules can be flexible. All cantors must go through a formal training process in the art of ministering through song trained by a cantor trainer. (Daniel Kovacic, Director)
 
One aChord Choir
Ages: High School through Adult
 
One aChord Choir leads music throughout the year at the 11:30 Mass at St. Thomas More Church. The instrumentation includes keyboard, guitar, and flute, as well as vocalists who utilize various styles of Catholic and contemporary Christian music grounded in Catholic theology. (Tom Kneier, Director)
 
Resurrection Choir
Ages: High School through Adult
 
The Resurrection Choir is a group of men and women who lead the sung prayer at our parish funeral liturgies. A small rehearsal fifteen minutes prior to the start of liturgy is all that is required. This is a wonderful way to minister to those families in their time of sorrow. (Daniel Kovacic, Director)
 
Schola Cantorum
Ages: High School through Adult
Rehearsals: Scheduled as needed throughout the year
 
The Schola Cantorum is an auditioned group of 12-16 singers geared in singing the ancient and traditional music of the Church including Introits, Communion Antiphons, and polyphonic motets in English and Latin. Reading music is required and those members of the Schola Cantorum will be required to read traditional chant notation. The Schola will sing at Solemnities and major feasts throughout the year.