Welcome New Musician Matt Emkey!

Hello everyone, my name is Matt Emkey, and I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to the Parish of the Holy Eucharist. It’s my honor and privilege to have been chosen to serve as the Musician for the 5:30 pm Sunday Mass at Holy Martyrs!
 
I have been a liturgical musician my entire life, as an organist, pianist, accompanist and director. Although originally from Philadelphia, I studied Music Theory, Organ Performance and Sacred Music at Wake Forest University in North Carolina on a Presidential Scholarship with Composer-in-Residence, Dr. Dan Locklair. Prior to moving to Portland, I lived in South Florida, where I served as the Director of Music Ministries and Cathedral Organist at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola. There, I was in charge of overseeing the liturgical guidelines for the 52 parishes comprising the Diocese of Palm Beach as Board Member of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission.
 
As a lifelong Catholic and member of the Knights of Columbus, I am thrilled to continue working in the Catholic Church here in the Portland area! My responsibility as a music minister is to assist you in connecting to God and to one another through praise, worship and song. To that end, I ask that you express your gratitude to Him worthily through full, conscious and active participation in our weekly celebration of the Holy Mass. I would also ask that you prayerfully consider sharing your God-given talent with us through participation in a volunteer choir. To begin, we will be running through the Mass parts and hymns each week before Mass at 4:45 pm here in the sanctuary. I hope there is enough interest in a 5:30 pm choir that we can designate a weeknight for a dedicated choir rehearsal. All singers are welcome to join, regardless of your age or your level of experience.
 
Thank you for welcoming me to your wonderful parish community, and I look forward to seeing each and every one of you next Sunday at 4:45 pm before Mass for choir rehearsal!   —God Bless, Matt Emkey