Director: Mr. Paul C. Phinney (516) 420-0950
St. Kilian's music ministry seeks to actively preserve the rich heritage of liturgical music, as well as to explore new musical directions that befit the spirit and dignity of the liturgy. This commitment to great music is reflected in several ministries:
Cantors
Leaders of song who encourage and enhance the participation of the congregation in singing at Mass. Training and on-going support is provided.
Adult Choir
The Choir consists of talented volunteers that learn four part harmony and assists the congregation in singing at the 11:00 a.m. Mass every Sunday. They enhance the liturgy with motets and reflective music. There is a Schola group formed from the Adult Choir.
The Adult Choir meets every Thursday evening in the Choir room of the Church between 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
The choir also sings for Christmas, Easter and Holy Week services as well as at special seasonal concerts. Concerts and Special Events will be announced in Church and in the Sunday Bulletin and on the web site.
Advent Lessons and Carols
The annual Advent Lessons and Carols takes place in the St. Kilian Sanctuary. During Advent, the Choirs of all the Farmingdale Churches sing together to announce the Birth of the Christ Child. This is a candlelight ceremony.
Wedding Music
Wedding Music is planned with the Director of Music by calling the Music Office two months prior to the day of the Sacrament.
About our Music Director...
Paul C. Phinney has been the director of St. Kilian's Music Ministry since 1991. He was born in Brooklyn, Prospect Heights and moved to Freeport, Long Island at the age of two.. His education began at Our Holy Redeemer Grammar School and continued at Archbishop Molloy HS. While at Molloy, Paul took on a leadership role in the student's annual Christmas Musical. His education continued with courses at Nassau Community College, CW Post, Adelphi and attained his degree in Music and Cultural History from SUNY Old Westbury.
Paul began playing organ in Our Holy Redeemer Church at the Monday night Novena. It was here that he became involved with the restoration of the Midmer Pipe Organ. The company was famous for building the largest pipe organ in the world still found in Convention Hall in Atlantic City. Paul's work was noted in the Sunday Newsday on the cover of the "Living" section.
After taking over the position of Organist at Our Holy Redeemer for several years, Paul accepted the position of Choirmaster/Organist of the First Presbyterian Church of Glen Cove. He organized several Ecumenical Services, involving the musicians and choirs from the other churches in town. Through a generous grant, he was involved in restoring and enlarging the pipe organ at First Presbyterian. After eight years at First Presbyterian. Paul moved to the position of Music Director of St. Brigid Parish in Westbury for another 2 years until joining St. Kilian's as our Music Director.
Paul considers himself fortunate to have studied organ with the best; Charles Boehm from Trinity Lutheran in Hicksville; Todd Wilson, from the Cathedral of Incarnation in Garden City; Nancy Ludwig, Cathedral of Incarnation; and David Higgs, Riverside Church, NY and Chairman of the Organ Department at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY.