‘The treasury of sacred music is to be preserved and cultivated with great care. There should be choirs or capella musica or schola cantorum especially in cathedrals and other major churches, in seminaries and religious houses of studies, and they should be carefully encouraged.’
- Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Vatican II
The Parish Choir
The Parish Choir is a mixed ensemble composed largely of former university choral scholars and semi-professional singers. The choir leads the music for the 11.00am Solemn Mass on Sundays as well as Holy Days, Christmas, Holy Week and Easter.
New members of the choir are always welcome. Rehearsals take place before each Mass, and regular singers and deputies register their availability by way of a rota system. Entry to the choir is by audition and a good level of sight-reading is required.
The Latin Schola
‘The Church recognises Gregorian chant as being specially suited to the Roman liturgy. Above all, the study and practice of Gregorian Chant is to be promoted, because with its special characteristics, it is the basis of importance for the development of sacred music.’
- Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Vatican II
The music for the Sunday Latin Mass at 6.30pm is led by the Latin Schola. The plainsong Propers are sung together with settings of the Ordinary of the Mass and motets by the some of the great medieval and renaissance composers such as Palestrina, Lassus, Victoria, Byrd and Tallis. Rehearsals take place before each Mass and regular singers and deputies register their availability by way of a rota system. Entry to the choir is by audition.
Cantors
We welcome singers who would like to serve the Liturgy as a Cantor – leading the congregational in the singing of the Ordinary of the Mass, Responsorial Psalm and Gospel Acclamation at the Saturday (6.00pm) and Sunday (9.30am) Masses as well as on other occasions. Full tuition will be provided for those who can read music to a decent standard.