From YCM Members
We are the young people that make up the young Catholic Musicians. We come from three different dioceses in Missouri and Illinois. We come from different states, schools and walks of life, but we all believe through Christ we can do great things.
The Young Catholic Musicians learn quality
liturgical music, arranged for orchestra and
choir. Once each month, the young people lead
the music for Mass at various churches.
The choir (including sopranos, altos, tenors and basses) gives strong vocal support to the congregation during Mass, encouraging full and active participation. The orchestra (composed of strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion) enhances and energizes the sung prayer.
The YCM repertoire includes liturgical music from well-known Catholic publishers including Oregon Catholic Press (OCP); Gregorian Institute of America (GIA) and World Library. The YCM also performs classical and contemporary Christian music as Preludes and Postludes.
The Young Catholic Musicians are talented young singers and instrumentalists from throughout the Metro St. Louis area. These young people, aged ten through eighteen, form an orchestra and choir of sixty musicians.
Two times a month.
Rehearsals are held two times a month. A
schedule is published prior to the start of each
season. Rehearsals are held at 816 Allen St.,
across from historic Sts. Peter and Paul Church
in Soulard.
To schedule an audition or for more information contact Fr. Bruce Forman, the Director of Music at (314) 231-7464, revycm@charter.net; or Mrs. Mary Smith, the Director of Organization at (314) 749-1444, smithycm@sbcglobal.net
The Young Catholic Musicians, founded in 1974, is open to young people from all religious traditions, realizing that their talents and services will most often be dedicated to the congregations at Catholic parishes. There are no fees or dues included in membership. The minimum age for singers is 10 years.
Father Bruce Forman, M.Div., MLM
Fr. Forman was ordained to the Priesthood May 18, 1974. At his first parish assignment, St. Jude in Overland, MO, he began The Young Catholic Musicians with 13 teenagers. Two years later, he was transferred to St. Sabina Parish in Florissant, one of the largest in the Archdiocese at that time. Within a few months, the YCM doubled in size. While serving at St. Michael Church in Shrewsbury, Fr. Forman continued his music education at Webster University, studying music theory, composition and orchestration. He earned a Master of Liturgical Music from The Catholic University of America’s music school in Washington, D.C.
Mrs. Mary C. Smith
Mrs. Smith joined the leadership of YCM as Director of Organization in 1976. Mrs. Smith coordinates scheduling, recruiting, and fund-raising efforts. Mrs. Smith welcomes new members and their families and helps them get acclimated to procedures at rehearsals and performances. Under her guidance, the YCM grew in numbers and quality. By 1999, the YCM was 120 members strong. That year, this select group of musicians helped lead the music at the Papal Youth Rally when St. Pope John-Paul II visited St. Louis. This was the second time the YCM played at a Papal Event. The first time was in the 1980’s for the Papal Space Bridge, a satellite prayer service of young people in Los Angeles, Denver and St. Louis during the Pope’s visit to Los Angeles.
Give us a call or send us an email with any questions or concerns that you may have.
Or if you're in the vicinity, stop in and give us a visit!