Music Ministry

Music is vital to any worship experience, and at St. Thomas More Newman Center, an active and vibrant music ministry is an integral part of what makes our worship so special. The Newman Center has a long history of quality music ministry, and each year holds the promise of still greater music and worship experiences as new musicians grace us with their talents. Our hope is that as many members of our community as possible will become involved in the leading of sung prayer at all our Masses and services.

The Newman Center’s Music Ministry is led by Eric Utsler, Music Minister and Pastoral Associate, who has been at the Newman Center since 1995, and who has served the Catholic Church as a full-time music minister for over 20 years. Eric leads music at the Sunday 10 a.m., noon and 9 p.m. Masses in addition to overseeing the entire program. Assisting Eric is Mike Szczepanik, an OSU graduate and long-time Newman Center member, who leads music at our Saturday 5:30 p.m. Mass and Karen Broering, who received her degree in Music from OSU. She leads music at the Sunday 6 p.m. Mass, as well as serving as the Newman Center’s Pastoral Associate for Faith Formation.

Rehearsals for our Sunday morning Masses are held on Thursdays at 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday evening Masses rehearse one hour prior to Mass in order to better suit the needs of busy students. Musicians are welcome to move from Mass to Mass as needed depending on their schedules from week to week.

Parts are always available for guitar, bass guitar, and piano/keyboard. Usually only one pianist is present at each Mass, but arrangements can be made for a second keyboardist. For more information, please contact Eric Utsler at (614) 291-4674 x105.

For orchestral instruments, parts are available for “C” instruments (such as flute or violin), “B flat” instruments (such as clarinet or trumpet), bass clef instruments (such as cello or trombone), alto clef instruments (such as viola) and french horn.

For percussionists, drum set, conga drums, and other percussion instruments are available. Our hope is that every Mass will have at least one regular percussionist present.