The Cathedral Cherubs

The Cathedral Cherubs offers children from ages three to eight a grounding in music and singing with expert instruction. Cherubs participate in occasional services and concerts throughout the liturgical season. More experienced Cherubs may progress to the Cathedral Chorister program. The Cherubs are directed by Mr. Edmund Connolly assisted by Ms. Madelynn Jewell.

Rehearsals

Tuesdays

5:45-6:15 PM

Sundays

8:30-9:00 AM

The Cathedral Choristers

Children age eight to sixteen prepare and perform the finest choral music for children’s voices. Choristers receive expert instruction in music-reading, ensemble performance skills, and enjoy educational experiences through Friends of Cathedral Music events. Participation in an annual week-long summer choral residency programs is provided by the Royal School of Church Music and eligible choristers are sponsored by the Cathedral of St. John. The Choristers are directed by Dr. Maxine Thévenot assisted by Ms. Jordyn Tatum.  

Rehearsals
Tuesdays

5:00-5:30 PM chorister education
5:30-6:30 PM rehearsal
Sundays
8:30-9:00 AM rehearsal

9:15-10:00 AM service

The purpose of music at The Cathedral of St. John is, quite simply, the musical rendering of the liturgy. This can include chanting plainsong, singing the Ordinary of the Mass, and singing anthems, motets, hymns, and psalms. The repertoire is wide-ranging, from the earliest known medieval music, through the Baroque/Classical/Romantic eras, to the most compelling and beautiful sacred music being written today. 

The Cathedral Choir is an auditioned ensemble largely comprised of dedicated and talented volunteer choir members who are supported by a small team of section leaders. During the program year, the Cathedral Choir sings at the 11:00 AM service on Sunday mornings, for monthly Choral Evensong services and all of the church's special feast day services as requested. 

The Cathedral Schola is an auditioned ensemble of 9-12 appointed singers whose role is to support the efforts of the Cathedral Choristers and congregation at the 9:15 AM service each Sunday during the program year. Their principal choral responsibility is to lead the congregation in the singing of services, to enrich that experience by offering the very finest sacred music in the form of service music and hymnody, and the occasional anthem either on their own or with the Cathedral Choristers. The Cathedral Schola also sing for the services of Choral Evensong, and all of the church's special feast day services as requested.

The program year typically runs from the beginning of September through to Trinity Sunday. The Cathedral Choirs participate in the outreach of our community, and by participate in the creation of new works written especially for them through our annual Cathedral Commissions. The Cathedral Choirs are well known for their internationally-released recordings with RavenCD. National and international pilgrimages through choral residencies form an important part of the Cathedral's mission and evangelism. 

Rehearsals
Tuesdays
7:00-9:00 PM rehearsal
Sundays

8:30 - 9:00 AM rehearsal, 9:15 AM service (Cathedral Schola)
10:15 AM rehearsal, 11:00 AM service (Cathedral Choir)



The Cathedral Organ

Refurbished and expanded in 2002, the Reuter op. 2210 with 102 stops, 65 ranks, and just under 4,000 pipes is the largest pipe organ in New Mexico. The organ is a powerful voice in the context of our liturgy, and organ concerts with visiting artists take place throughout the program year through our Friends of Cathedral Music Series. The stoplist for the organ can be viewed HERE.

Community Outreach

The music program at the Cathedral participates in numerous community outreach projects as part of its mission. The Cathedral choir has been invited to participate in leading the national anthem at Isotopes baseball games and at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta; completed residency choir tours both nationally and internationally; and released several choir and organ recordings.

The mission of Friends of Cathedral Music is to enrich the life of the Cathedral of St. John and the broader Albuquerque community through the promotion of music to the glory of God. It does this by sponsoring concerts offered by regionally, nationally, and internationally renowned ensembles and solo artists in our beautiful sacred space, and by facilitating and helping to underwrite expenses related to the Cathedral choirs’ presentation of sacred choral masterworks which exceed the normal bounds of the Cathedral’s rich liturgical life.

Occasionally, Friends of Cathedral Music also commissions new musical settings of liturgical texts, thus enriching the sacred music repertoire available to the church at large, and contributing to the ongoing musical legacy of the Cathedral of St. John.