The Diocese of Pittsburgh has selected two musicians to lead its sacred music program at Saint Paul Cathedral and across diocesan parishes.
John Sittard will serve as director, with Luke Ponce as associate director. Both will handle organ duties, direct choirs and develop training programs for church musicians throughout the diocese.
Sittard brings 30 years of cathedral and parish music experience to the position. He arrives from the Cathedral of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux in Madison, Wisconsin, where he managed multiple ensembles and created educational programming for musicians.
The Wisconsin musician holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music and Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. His career includes positions at the national shrine in Washington, D.C., and Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg. He also composes music and is scheduled to begin in mid-March.
“Music is such a wonderful tool in evangelization because beauty draws people into an encounter with that which is Divine, particularly people who have fallen away from the Church or who don’t know Christ,” Sittard said in a statement.
Ponce comes from Divine Redeemer Parish in Sewickley, where he led the music and liturgy program. The western Pennsylvania native earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in sacred music and organ from Franciscan University of Steubenville and Duquesne University.
“One of the most exciting aspects of music ministry in the Diocese of Pittsburgh is working with so many dedicated and talented musicians across our parishes,” Ponce said.
He previously directed music at churches in Steubenville, Ohio, and Aliquippa. Ponce will start later this month.