Uplifting Music to Praise God

God has bestowed upon His people the gift of song. God dwells within each human person, in the place where music takes its source. Indeed, God, the giver of song, is present whenever His people sing His praises. Here at Saint Ambrose, we strive to provide each person an opportunity to praise the Lord with music, no matter where you are in your faith journey. Join us!!!

The Mission of the Saint Ambrose Music Ministry is to encourage and uplift the body of Christ through high quality musical experiences that give glory to God.

Current members: click here for ministry practice site

Join our Music Ministry!

Angels Choir

This choir is for any PSR, day school, or home-schooled child in grades 2 – 6. The choir practices every Thursday from 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm and sings once a month at a Sunday Mass from September through May.

This choir also sings for the Cleveland Indians Catholic Day at Progressive Field (National Anthem), First Communion, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Easter.

Worship the Lord with gladness; Come into His presence with singing. ~ Psalm 100:2

fiat Band

The fiat (Faith in Action Teens) Band is open to all high school students in grades 9 through 12. The band plays at Sunday 5:00 pm Masses, in coordination with Confirmation and FIAT nights.  Rehearsal is on Sunday, prior to Mass from 3:30 pm – 4:45 pm in the church.  All instruments welcome!

fiat Choir & Cantors

The fiat (Faith in Action Teens) Choir is open to all students 7th through 12th grade. The choir sings at Sunday 5:00 pm Masses, in coordination with Confirmation and FIAT nights.  Rehearsal is on Sunday, prior to Mass from 3:30 pm – 4:45 pm in the church.  From the choir, members are then encouraged to become cantors for the mass!

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. I will praise You, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is Your love, reaching to the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be over all the earth. ~Psalm 57: 7, 9-11

Adult Choir

The choir sings weekly at the 10:30 am Sunday Masses from September through May. The choir also sings for Parish celebrations and holy days, including: Christmas, Easter, First Eucharist, Confirmation, etc. Rehearsals are held on Wednesdays from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm September through Pentecost.

Saturday 4:30 pm Vigil Mass Chamber Ensemble

This is a great opportunity and an easy beginning into the Music Ministry at Saint Ambrose.  Emphasis is singing melody, with an instrument or a few to enhance and encourage the congregation’s participation at mass.  Rehearsal is on Saturday before mass at 3:45 pm in the Church.

Instrumentalists

The instrumentalists rehearse with the cantors on Wednesdays from 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm and play at weekly Masses from September through Pentecost. Separate rehearsals are also scheduled during seasonal preparation for Christmas and Easter. Instrumentalists also play for holidays, including: Christmas, Easter, All Saints’ Day, etc. Instrumentalists include: flute, guitar, bass drum, trumpet, trombone, violin, oboe, etc.

I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. ~I Corinthians 14:15

Cantors

The cantors volunteer their time and lead the congregation in song. Cantors rehearse on Wednesdays from 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm. Cantors are assigned to sing 2 – 3 liturgies a month. Based upon availability, cantors are also assigned to sing for all Parish Celebrations and Holy Days, including: Christmas, Easter, First Eucharist, Confirmation, etc.

Hand Bell Choir

We ring hand bells joyfully, prayerfully and for the glory of God! The hand bell choir plays a prelude song, before Communion and at other times during Mass once per month, as well as other prayer services during the year and holidays. Practices are held on Thursday evenings from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm, September through Pentecost. Some background in music is helpful, but not necessary. We are looking for dedicated people who will attend practices each week and to play at Masses. Feel free to stop by after Mass or speak to any of the members to join!

New Life Choir

The New Life Choir is a group that sings at funeral Masses, using their voices to console the family and friends of the deceased. Rehearsals are held in the church on the second Tuesday of each month at 11:00 am.   We sing whenever there is a funeral held in the church. While the New Life Choir members are not required to be able to read music, they must have a love of singing!

Music Ministry Staff

Director of Music Ministry: Travis Jürgens

Travis Jürgens has been the Director of Music Ministry at Saint Ambrose Parish since July 2020. He won 2nd Prize and the President of the Jury Award at the 2019 Bucharest Music Institute

 International Conducting Competition. He has conducted the Rochester Philharmonic, Colorado Symphony, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Boulder Philharmonic, and Denver Philharmonic, among others. He has worked with esteemed conductors, including Michael Tilson Thomas and Marin Alsop, who invited Travis to attend the Conductors Guild Composer/Conductor Workshop at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music.

Jürgens has performed in the United States, Europe, and Japan. He has been praised as “a superior conductor” and “well on his way to becoming a major conductor in the world of symphony orchestras” (Opus Colorado). Musicians who have played under his baton have commented on his exceptional talent, dynamic musicianship, efficient rehearsals, and strong leadership. 

The fully professional Perrysburg Symphony Orchestra appointed Jürgens as their next Music Director and Conductor in July 2018. Previously, he was the Music Director and Conductor of the Ohio Northern Symphony for five seasons, the Lima Area Youth Orchestra for three seasons, the Philharmonia of Kansas City for six seasons, the Associate Conductor of the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, and a cover conductor for the Colorado Symphony. He also held the position of Associate Conductor of the Lamont Symphony Orchestra and Opera Theatre in Denver, where he received the Leon Guide Outstanding Conductor Award. Additional info is available at www.travisjuergens.com.

Minister of Performing Arts: Michelle Cha

Michelle Cha has always had a love of balancing her faith and music. Her bachelor’s degree is from Ohio Northern University where she studied voice and piano. She studied with Kristen Osbun-Manley and Dr. Dennis Kratzer. At The University of Akron Michelle studied with Dr. Laurie Lashbrook for her master’s. She has taught pre-k through 8th grade band, music, choir, and drama. After working for both community and professional theaters she found God’s calling to help enrich the lives of St. Ambrose and she could not be happier.

Director of the Handbell Choir: Position Vacant as of July 2024

We’re currently in search of an outstanding candidate to fill the position of Handbell Director at Saint Ambrose.

The Handbell Director leads the handbells at Saint Ambrose Parish by empowering, engaging, and equipping its members to create
beautiful music in praise of our Lord. This is an hourly paid position. Click here for complete position details and instructions on how to apply.

Music Ministry Assistant: Helen Lanzarotta

Staff Pianists

Terri Prokop

Ophelia Shan

Ophelia Shan earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in piano performance from Xinghai Conservatory (China) and Oklahoma City University, then focused her education and career on collaborative piano and received her performance diploma from Cleveland Institute of Music under Anita Pontremoli. She has served at the Ashland University, Oklahoma City University, and Southern Nazarene University as staff pianist, as well as actively involved in community outreach and cultural activities in the greater northeast Ohio region since 2014. As a collaborative pianist, Ophelia has played for Red River Lyric Opera, Great Lakes Light Opera, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Opera Breve Vocal Intensive, BW Singers, Cuyahoga Falls Community Chorus, and etc., working with renowned musicians and directors such as Dr. Stephen Dubberly, Copeland Woodruff, Scott Susong, Don Marrazzo, Matti Hirvonen; She has played in many master classes, including Nelita True, Lynn Harrell, Jennifer Koh, Joshua Roman, Eric Larson, etc.. as well as working frequently with students of the Cleveland Orchestra members. As an educator and concert pianist, her open classes, seminars and performances had been recorded and broadcast in China and the US. While continuing making a performing career, Ophelia is currently a staff pianist at the Conservatory of Music at Baldwin Wallace University and the director of music ministry at Grace UCC of Loyal Oak. She has her own studio in Brunswick, OH, primary working with adult and advanced piano students. Ophelia is a board member of Northeast Ohio Music Teacher’s Association as both festival co-chair and treasurer.