Music Ministry

Hallelujah Chorus by George Friedrich Handel

Now persuing a Masters in Harp Performance at the New England Conservatory of Music.

Music Scholars

Nicholas Mourlam
Music Director

Bernard Lint

Flute

Bernard Lint has been playing flute with the CC@S choir for several years and is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the music at Mass and have the privilege to play in beautiful Memorial Church.  In addition to playing with the Stanford choir Bernard also occasionally plays with church choirs in San Mateo and Fremont and performs with other small musical ensembles and non-professional symphonies and orchestras in the area. After obtaining undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering from Cornell University and the University of Texas, he has had a long career in with major tech firms in the Bay Area. In addition to musical activities, he is enjoying retirement with travel, hiking, and photography adventures.

Music Ministry Leaders

Dr. Janelle O’Malley
Organist

Memorial Church has a collection of exquisite pipe organs that can be heard at Mass and concerts throughout the year.

In addition to the incredible pipe organs, Memorial Church houses a magnificent Steinway & Sons grand piano.


Sacred Music Scholars Program

The Sacred Music Scholars Program at the Catholic Community at Stanford forms undergraduate and graduate students as leaders in liturgical music through classroom instruction and hands-on musical instruction and performance. Modeled on the collegiate chapel traditions of Europe, the program integrates musical excellence with the life of Catholic worship, offering students structured leadership roles in the CC@S Music Ministry. Scholars contribute to Sunday liturgies, special feasts, and concerts, while receiving mentorship and training. This program seeks to cultivate the next generation of Catholic musicians—organists, singers, and conductors—formed not only in artistic excellence, but in service to the Church’s liturgical life.

Vision

The Sacred Music Scholars Program seeks to cultivate the next generation of Catholic musicians—organists, singers, and conductors—formed not only in artistic excellence, but in service to the Church’s liturgical life.

Program Structure

The program consists of three distinct tracks:

1. Organ/Piano Scholars

  • Organ/Piano Scholars serve as accompanists and emerging liturgical musicians.

Responsibilities:

  • Accompany weekly Masses, rehearsals, and major liturgies

  • Provide organ and/or piano music for services and concerts

  • Assist in repertoire selection and liturgy planning

  • Support choir rehearsals and sectional work

Formation & Benefits:

  • Individual lessons/coaching (organ or piano)

  • Training in liturgical accompaniment and improvisation

  • Opportunities to conduct and lead rehearsals

  • Theology/Liturgical courses through CC@S

2. Vocal (Choral) Scholars

  • Vocal Scholars are lead cantors for Mass and core members of the CC@S choir, providing musical leadership within their voice sections.

Responsibilities:

  • Sing regularly at Sunday Mass and major liturgies

  • Lead sectional rehearsals and mentor volunteer singers

  • Participate in concerts, recordings, and special events

Formation & Benefits:

  • Individual lessons/coaching

  • Ensemble leadership training

  • Performance opportunities within and beyond CC@S

  • Theology/Liturgical courses through CC@S

3. Conducting Scholars

  • Conducting Scholars are emerging music directors who assist in leading the ensemble.

Responsibilities:

  • Conduct rehearsals and selected liturgies

  • Assist in planning music for the liturgical year

  • Coordinate with clergy and music staff

  • Develop ensemble leadership and rehearsal techniques

Formation & Benefits:

  • Mentorship in conducting and liturgical leadership

  • Opportunities to direct major works and services

  • Training in pastoral musicianship and ensemble management

  • Theology/Liturgical Courses through CC@S

Common Expectations

All Sacred Music Scholars:

  • Serve consistently throughout the academic year

  • Participate in weekly rehearsals and liturgies

  • Contribute to a vibrant, prayerful musical community

  • Maintain high musical and academic standards

Support & Recognition

  • Access to lessons, workshops, and masterclasses

  • Formal recognition within CC@S

  • Opportunities for tours, recordings, and special liturgies




The Pipe Organs of Memorial Church

Avishai Yuvaraj
Sacred Music Scholar

Uwade Akhere
Sacred Music Scholar

Liturgical Choir

Provides musical leadership at the 4:30 pm Sunday Mass at Memorial Church. Affectionately known as "MemChu," this historic building serves as the architectural crown jewel of Stanford University and is located at the center of the Main Quad. In addition to weekly services, the Liturgical Choir provides music for all Solemn Masses, and major university events, including Welcome Weekend and the Baccalaureate Mass.

The Liturgical Choir rehearses on Sundays from after the 4:30 pm Mass. There are additional rehearsals in the spring to prepare for Holy Week and throughout the year for various other liturgies. Membership in the Liturgical Choir is open to all areas of the undergraduate and graduate student body, as well as local community members. Membership is by audition only. You will be asked to sing a hymn, check your voice range, and do some simple sight reading. You do not need to prepare any material for the audition.

Lacrimosa by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Women’s Ensemble

This ensemble is comprised of treble singers who serve primarily at the 9:00 am Mass, and occasionally at 4:30 pm Solemn Sunday Masses. The choir performs a diverse repertoire of a cappella and accompanied sacred music spanning from the Renaissance through the twentieth century.

Rehearsals are on Sunday mornings at 10:30 am following the 9:00 am Mass. There are additional rehearsals in the spring to prepare for Holy Week and throughout the year for various other liturgies. Membership in the Women’s Ensemble is open to all areas of the undergraduate and graduate student body, as well as local community members. Membership is by audition only. You will be asked to sing a hymn, check your voice range, and do some simple sight reading. You do not need to prepare any material for the audition.

Cantors

Every Mass at the Catholic Community at Stanford has a primary cantor to lead the congregation in sung prayer. This ministry is open to undergraduate students, graduate students, and local community members. Initial training is provided, and we offer periodic workshops for ongoing development.

Andrew Cheshire

Violin

Sicut Cervus by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

Ave Verum Corpus by Gabriel Fauré

Spanish Mass Ensemble

¡Bienvenidos al Coro Misa Español! Our Spanish Mass Choir sings at La Misa en Español in Memorial Church on Sundays at 3:00 pm throughout the academic year.

Instrumentalists

Throughout the year, instrumentalists drawn from all areas of the undergraduate and graduate student body, as well as local community members bring additional beauty to our liturgies. Students lead the community in hymns, psalms, and choral anthems from the organ and piano.

Isabella McCormick - Class of 2026

Harp

Andrew Cheshire is a father, dentist, and musician in the Palo Alto/Menlo Park area. His wife is currently pursuing a PhD in Environmental Engineering at Stanford University. Andrew attended Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Violin Performance. During a Catholic dental mission trip with his dad (also a general dentist), he discovered his passion for helping others through dentistry. Andrew currently works as a dentist at Stanford Family Dental in Menlo Park and regularly plays violin with the Stanford Catholic Community and St. Raymond's parish choirs during their Sunday Masses.


Upcoming Events

Benjamin Liupaogo
Assistant Music Director

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