Edmund Murray is the Director of Music for both Our Lady of the Atonement Church and The Atonement Academy.  He and the other three members of the music faculty have developed a total of fourteen choirs within the parish -- nine choirs within the school, and five choirs within the church.

Now that the summer schedule is over, we are resuming our regular activities.  Rehearsals are commencing again for the church choirs, and Mr. Murray placed the following announcement in the Sunday bulletin:


As one of several “personal parishes” erected for Anglican Use Liturgy in the United States, Our Lady of the Atonement has the great privilege of drawing upon the rich treasury of sacred music of both the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches. Throughout the centuries, music in worship has been an important vehicle in carrying out the Church’s mission to “restore all things in Christ”. Indeed, sacred music is an effective means of assisting the faithful in experiencing a deeper encounter with Christ in the sacred liturgy.

There are many opportunities for involvement in the choral music program at Our Lady of the Atonement Church. The children’s and youth choir programs continue to grow. Our parish has recently become an affiliate member of the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) and will be implementing their training method. The RSCM has a proven success rate in churches and schools throughout the world. This system provides the opportunity for teamwork as well as individual progress in musical literacy, voice training, Christian fellowship and growth in faith. It is designed to build a musically competent group, which can play a major role in the life and service of the Church and its liturgy. In addition to musical growth, RSCM participants develop self-discipline, confidence and motivation.

Please take a few moments to read through the descriptions of our choirs and consider whether you or a family member might be interested in joining one of theses ensembles. For more information regarding participation in any of the choirs, please contact Edmund Murray, Organist and Choirmaster via e-mail at music@atonementonline.com.


The Choirs of Our Lady of the Atonement Church

Saint Nicholas Children’s Choir
- For girls and boys in grades 3-5
- Sings for the 9:00 AM Mass on Sundays as scheduled
- Rehearses on Thursday afternoons from 3:30- 4:10 PM


Saint Cecilia Youth Choir
- For girls and boys (unchanged voices) in grades 6-high school
- Sings for the 9:00 AM Mass on Sundays as scheduled
- Rehearses on Thursday afternoons from 4:15-5:00 PM


Our Lady of the Atonement Adult Choir
- For those of high school age (10th grade) and older
- Sings for 11:00 AM Mass each Sunday as well as for Holydays, and special liturgies throughout the year.
- Rehearses on Thursday evenings from 7:00-9:00 PM
- Ability to read music helpful, but not required.


Saint Gregory Schola Cantorum
- For men of high school age and older (by audition)
- Sings for the Sunday 6:00 PM Latin Mass
- Rehearses each Sunday at 5:00 PM and on select Sundays for one half-hour following Mass.


Our Lady of the Atonement Festival Choir
- Designed for those who cannot make a year-round commitment to weekly rehearsals, but who have a desire to be involved in the parish music program.
- Sings for special services throughout the year (in combination with the Adult Choir) including Nine Lessons and Carols, the liturgies of Holy Week and seasonal Evensong services.
- Rehearses on select Thursday evenings preceding scheduled events.


“The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as sacred song united to the words, it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy.“ - Sacrosantum Concillium, Chapter VI