The Role of Sacred Music
A Quinceañera is a sacred milestone of thanksgiving - a public celebration of faith, gratitude for the gift of life, and a renewed commitment to Christ and His Church. Sacred music does not merely serve as a background accompaniment to the celebration; it is an integral part of the liturgical action. Its purpose is to direct the hearts and minds of all present toward God, to elevate the solemnity of the rite, and to give praise to the Creator.
Because the Quinceañera Mass is an act of divine worship, all music played or sung before, during, and after the Mass in the church must be sacred - rooted in the rich musical tradition of the Church and drawn from Scriptural and traditional liturgical texts.
The Process of Selecting Music
When your Quinceañera Mass is scheduled, the Director of Sacred Music is notified by the parish office and/or Liturgy Coordinator. A staff organist and staff cantor are then assigned to play and sing at the specified date and time. The fee for these musicians is included in the Quinceañera package and paid to the church along with the other expenses. Even if no direct contact has been made by the family, music will be provided for the celebration.
Some families prefer to select specific musical pieces for their ceremony. To assist in that selection, we have provided a curated list of pre-approved classical and liturgical selections. Once you are ready, please fill out our Quinceañera Music Selection Form, where you can also find links to listen to audio samples on YouTube. If you have any special musical requests not listed, please submit them through the form for review by the Director of Sacred Music and Pastor. Selections must be made at least 4 weeks before the date of the Quinceañera Mass to be fully considered.
List of Services
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Sacred vs. Secular MusicList Item 1
Popular tunes, movie soundtracks, love ballads, and secular songs (even those with sentimental value) are not permitted inside the sanctuary before, during, or after the liturgy. They are wonderful choices for the reception!
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Guest MusiciansList Item 2
Our parish staff organists and cantors have 100+ years of professional experience between them and are given first right of refusal for all quinceañeras. Any requests for outside instrumentalists, vocalists, or guest musicians must be submitted early and approved by the Director of Sacred Music and the Pastor.
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Pre-Approved RepertoireList Item 3
We provide a comprehensive list of pre-approved classical and liturgical selections for your prelude, processions, responsorial psalm, communion, and recessional.
You can find them all on the Quinceañera Music Selection Form HERE.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What if I want additional instruments at the Quinceañera?
Additional instrumentalists (such as solo or ensemble strings, solo or ensemble brass players, flute, and harp ) add wonderful solemnity and beauty to the liturgy. If you wish to include instruments beyond the standard organ, please coordinate requests through the Director of Sacred Music so that repertoire and ensemble integration can be properly arranged.
Extra instrumentalists must be contracted by the Director of Sacred Music. With nearly a decade of professional experience in the local music community, the Director has cultivated a trusted network of skilled professional and student musicians and knows precisely who to call - and who to avoid - to ensure the highest artistic and liturgical standards for your ceremony.
Oustide vendors set their own payment rates, but it is prudent to allow for approximately $200 per extra player.
Furthermore, if extensive coordination, specialized custom arrangements, or additional instrumental rehearsals are required, an administrative/contracting fee will be assessed on a case-by-case basis for the Director of Sacred Music's time.
What if I want a choir at the Quinceañera?
Having a staff cantor is standard for leading congregational singing during a Quinceañera Mass. If you are interested in hiring a larger vocal ensemble or choir sing at the quinceañera, please discuss this with the Director of Sacred Music well in advance to review availability and rehearsal schedules.
Additional singers set their own payment rates, but it is prudent to allow for approximately $150 per singer. Furthermore, if extensive coordination, specialized custom arrangements, or additional rehearsals are required, an administrative and contracting fee will be assessed on a case-by-case basis for the Director's time.
What if I want a family member or friend to provide music?
We love when musically talented family members or friends wish to take part!
A non-staff singer may at times sing or play an appropriate solo during a quinceañera. In this case, the person should be trained and have intimate knowledge of liturgical music. They must be preprared to submit recordings of sacred repertoire to the Director of Sacred Music. If their participation is approved, they must also be prepared to rehearse in-person with the Director prior to the Quinceañera Mass.
What if I want a musician from another church to provide music?
Our parish staff organists and cantors have first right of refusal for all weddings held at Most Precious Blood. If you wish to bring in an outside organist or musician, their participation must be approved by both the Director of Sacred Music and the Pastor, and they must be fully comfortable executing Catholic liturgical music and rubrics.
Please note that Most Precious Blood does not allow guitars or mariachi groups to provide music for Masses.
While musicians currently employed at Catholic churches within the Diocese of Corpus Christi are frequently approved, approval is not guaranteed and depends entirely on their familiarity with liturgical standards and repertoire requirements.
