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Music Ministry (OLOS)

- Ministries

About the Music Ministry:
Our Lady of Sorrows is blessed with a beautiful Music Ministry. Our church is home to ministers of all ages who lift their voices in song to praise God. The Music Ministry has the mission of bringing people joy and peace through prayer, song, and community. We begin each choir rehearsal with the Divine Mercy Chaplet, dedicating our time and talents to serve God’s will. We sing weekly at the 10:30 am Mass and host two concerts a year, one around Christmas and the other in late Spring. We welcome people from all different walks of life, whether you have a musical background or not, to join us in prayerful song as we lift our hearts and minds to God.

About Our Instruments:
Our Lady of Sorrows houses two beautiful instruments: a Yamaha Grand Piano and an Allen Renaissance Digital Pipe Organ. Both instruments are used throughout the week for choir rehearsals and Masses.
The piano features a beautiful crystal-clear tone that is just right for the accompaniment of the congregation and choir. The instrument has a delicate and responsive touch which really helps music come to life. Six feet in length, this piano fills the space and contributes to the beautiful music at Our Lady of Sorrows.
The digital pipe organ is one of the best of its kind. When people enter the church for the first time, they often ask where the pipes are housed as the instrument sounds just like a pipe organ. The organ features an equivalent of 72 ranks of pipes and has a versatile set of stops that allow for a vast array of organ repertoire to be performed. The organ is also equipped with a MIDI system that expands the number of stops available and allows for compatibility with software like Hauptwerk and GrandOrgue, which bring organ sounds from around the world into our church. The stoplist for the instrument is available here.

About Our Music Director:
Benjamin Touzeau ([email protected])

Benjamin Touzeau has been a vital part of the Our Lady of Sorrows parish community since childhood. He became the church organist at just 17 years old and was appointed Music Director in March 2022. In his role, Benjamin directs the choir, plans liturgical music, and plays the organ and piano for all Masses. He also composes original pieces for the choir and special liturgies.

Inspired to play organ by the soundtrack of Interstellar, Benjamin’s love of music has grown into a lifelong passion. He has studied piano for 14 years, flute for six years, and organ for five years under instructors including Hui-Chuan Chen, piano instructor at UMBC and Diane Kinsley, assistant organist at the United States Naval Academy. His career highlights include performing at Carnegie Hall with the Chesapeake Youth Symphony Orchestra Flute Ensemble, composing Pastorale and Jig—featured at the National Flute Convention in 2022—and serving as a guest organist at the National Shrine for the Paulist President Installation Mass.

Benjamin specializes in liturgical music, choir direction, and performing French Romantic and Baroque organ repertoire. He finds immense joy in using music to praise God and bring people closer to Him, while ensuring that choir rehearsals are both productive and enjoyable.

Outside of his musical pursuits, Benjamin is a writer, a sign language interpreter, and a language enthusiast. He enjoys staying active, spending time with family and friends, and exploring creativity through poetry and composition.

The Pastorate of Our Lady

EDGEWATER AND WEST RIVER, MD

Music Ministry (OLOS)