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. Senior Cherubs may progress to the Cathedral Chorister program. The Cherubs are directed by Mr. Edmund Connolly assisted by Ms. Madelynn Jewell.

Rehearsals
(September to end of May)

Tuesdays

5:45-6:15 PM

Sundays

8:30-9:00 AM

The Cathedral Choristers

Children age seven 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 program and courses provided by the Royal School of Church Music.

Rehearsals
(September to end of May)
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 and choral scholars. During the program year, the Cathedral Choir sings at the 11:00 AM service on Sunday mornings, for monthly Choral Evensong, Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Lessons & Carols, and for Feast days such as Ascension. 

The program year typically runs from the beginning of September through to Trinity Sunday. The Cathedral Choir participates in the outreach of our community by singing an annual Concert of Remembrance and new works written 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
(September to end of May)
Tuesdays
7:00-9:00 PM rehearsal
Sundays
10:15 AM rehearsal

11:00 AM service

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The Cathedral Organ

Refurbished and expanded in 2002, the Reuter op. 2210 with 102 stops, 65 ranks, and 3,800 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.

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 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.