At Precious Blood Parish, we are committed to creating an environment that best enables our community to fully participate in worship. In the music department, we seek to fulfill that commitment by encouraging participation through the use of well-trained song leaders, thoroughly prepared choirs and instrumentalists, and thoughtfully chosen song texts that reflect the scriptural readings and lessons of the season.
For some, the love of music calls them to be more fully involved in the Ministry of Music. Here, we become a more intimate family that joins together in friendship, faith and harmony to worship and praise the Lord. If you are drawn to give thanks to God for the special gifts that He has given to you, browse through any of our links and find a place where you might enjoy using your talent. We have all experienced the joy of receiving abundant blessings in return for our gifts of time, talent, and treasure! As a worshiping community, we are called to take our part in the liturgy. Just as the priest has gestures and words that he must recite or sing in order for the Eucharistic celebration to be fulfilled, so does the congregation have its own responsibilities of gesture, word, and song. We are here for the sole purpose of praising our God – just as the saints and angels are doing at the very same time with us!
St. Mary Church Music Leaders
Mr. Jean-Pierre Dumont, Music Director and Organist
We are very excited to introduce our parish’s new Music Director and Organist, Mr. Jean-Pierre Dumont!
Mr. Dumont began piano lessons at the age of six, and eventually became an organist when he was thirteen. While in 8th grade, he was the accompanist for the West Haven High Concert Choir tour of Austria, Germany and Hungary, with performances at Salzburg Cathedral , St. Stephan’s Cathedral, Vienna, and the Mathias Church in Budapest!
He went on to study music at the New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, and the Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford. While at UHart, he served as organist for the Cathedral of St. Joseph. He has been involved in music ministry at several area churches over the years, including Our Lady of Victory (West Haven), Trinity Lutheran Church (New Haven), Holy Infant Church (Orange), where he served closely with Deacon John Hoffman from 1996-2012, and, most recently, St. Mary’s, Queen of the Apostles Parish,(Derby) from 2012-2021.
He frequently is organist for various liturgies at St. Mary’s in New Haven, the home church of the Knights of Columbus, and resting place of Blessed Michael McGivney. Jean-Pierre was one of the organists for the beatification celebration of Blessed Michael McGivney last year.
Jean-Pierre is also a long time AMTRAK employee, with over 30 years in the communication and Signal department. He and his wife Sue live in North Haven, and are the parents of 2 daughters and a son, and grandparents of 2 girls, ages 3, and 1.
Marylyn Mulvey, Cantor and Soloist
A native of Connecticut, Marylyn Mulvey was first place winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Finals. Her appearances with Victor Borge on stage and television have made her internationally known. She has appeared with most of the major symphony orchestras in the United States, Canada, and Europe; including the London Philharmonic, Royal Copenhagen, Winnepeg, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Cleveland Symphonies. Her operatic repertoire includes Gilda (Rigoletto), Lucia (Lucia di Lammermoor), Rosina (Il Barbiere di Sivilglia), Baby Doe (The Ballad of Baby Doe), and Adele (Die Fledermaus), singing with the New York City Opera, Philadelphia Lyric Opera Company, and Metropolitan Opera National Company, among others. Marylyn serves as Cantor and Soloist for the Saturday 4:30, Sunday 10:00 and 11:30 AM Masses, in addition to Holy Days and concerts throughout the year.
Casavant Frères Opus 3863
The Saint Mary Church pipe organ was dedicated on April 26, 2007, in a recital featuring Ezequiel Menendez and the St. Mary Church Adult Choir. The installation of this organ was a project years in the making and relied on the expertise and generosity of countless members of our parish community. The memorial plaques by the organ loft stairs list over 400 church members who donated to the Organ Fund.
Designed and built by Casavant Frères, organ builders based in St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, the instrument is comprised of 2,107 pipes. They are distributed among 4 divisions: the Grand Orgue is placed at the front of the rear gallery rail, and includes a trompette-en-chamade which protrudes horizontally into the room; the Récit is enclosed within two boxes located on either side of the rose window; the Pédale sits at the rear of the gallery, with many pipes so large they lie on their sides; and lastly, the Antiphonal division hangs from the ceiling at the front of the church.
Parishioners who wish to see the organ in operation are encouraged to visit the organ loft after the above-mentioned Masses or contact our Music Director for a guided tour of this magnificent instrument. The organ was designed to be equally at home in service playing and concert settings. The antiphonal division helps to pull the sound together and better support congregational singing in our long nave. At the same time, the variety and disposition of stops make for an instrument that can successfully execute any of the organ’s vast repertoire.
Contact
Precious Blood Parish Music Director & Organist
Jean-Pierre Dumont
(203) 878-3571